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03/29/2024 08:49:14 am

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NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Acquire Rudy Gay, Kings Snag Ricky Rubio, Wolves Get Luol Deng in Wild Three-Way Scenario

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng

(Photo : Getty Images) A wild three-team deal involving Luol Deng, Ricky Rubio, and Rudy Gay could happen soon.

A wild three-team trade scenario that would send Rudy Gay to the Los Angeles Lakers, Ricky Rubio to the Sacramento Kings, and Luol Deng to the Minnesota Timberwolves has been circling online recently.

According to Inquisitr, the trade rumors began when Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters that he is "willing to trade one of his core players for a veteran who can help the team right now".

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Thibodeau is preferring to acquire one of his former players and Deng, along with Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Joakim Noah, is said to be included in the coach's wish list.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have long been rumored to have their eyes set on Gay, who has publicly admitted his unhappiness in Sacramento. Gay reportedly advised the Kings that he will not re-sign next summer, which has also put the pressure on the club to find a trade partner for the 10-year veteran small forward this season.

Lastly, Sacramento is currently short on point guards with Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, and Garrett Temple as head coach Dave Joerger's only options at the spot. With all three floor generals not playing up to expectations, the Kings are rumored to be searching for the ideal point guard to partner with DeMarcus Cousins.

With young veteran point guard Rubio virtually telling the Wolves that he will look to go elsewhere if Minnesota does not qualify for the playoffs this season, he would be the perfect trade piece to lure a deal from Sacramento. The Wolves are again not looking good this season as they are currently third from the last place in the Western Conference at the moment.

HNGN indicated that for the trade to be fair to all parties involved, Minnesota should also get Collison from Sacramento along with Deng while the Lakers and Kings end up with Gay and Rubio respectively.

With Deng, Thibodeau finally gets one of the players he is wishing for while Collison will replace Rubio in his starting five.

The Lakers get a steady veteran in Gay, who they can rely on offense especially during crunch time when the team's younger players are cold.

Rubio will provide the Kings the starting-caliber and pass-first point guard that they want to team up with Cousins, which could finally help them breakthrough the postseason moving forward.

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