Rudy Gay has agreed to a two-year deal with the Utah Jazz

While the San Antonio Spurs came to agreements with free agents Doug McDermott and Zach Collins yesterday, three of their own players have already signed elsewhere. After Gorgui Dieng agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, and Trey Lyles agreed to two years, $5 million with the Detroit Pistons yesterday, the Spurs have felt their first notable impact in terms of losing a player today with the announcement that Rudy Gay will be signing with the Utah Jazz on a two-year, $12 million deal (second year player option).

Gay came to the Spurs ahead of the 2017-18 season, and at the time it felt like a big signing. Despite coming off an Achilles injury, he would be the perfect backup to Kawhi Leonard, give the bench another go-to scorer, and possibly be that final piece to help the Spurs get over the hump that was the seemingly unbeatable Golden State Warriors.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way as Leonard only played eight games the following season before demanding a trade, and the Spurs never came close to getting Gay the ring he was seeking when he signed here. With the Jazz, he joins another team that when healthy can definitely contend for a title, and once again he could possibly be that final piece that they need to get over the hump.

Thanks for everything, Rudy! You were consummate professional your entire time here, provided a huge boost to the Spurs bench amidst the retirement of players like Manu Ginobili, and you will always be appreciated and fondly remember here (oddly, unlike in Memphis and Toronto).

Also good luck to Gorgui and Trey! Hopefully they have found situations where they can play and contribute.