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Gay: 'I have no choice but to work for the Sacramento Kings'

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

It's no great secret that both Rudy Gay and the Sacramento Kings are looking forward to a split.

Gay declined his 2017-18 player option in hopes of hastening his departure, and the Kings have been happy to oblige as trade rumors continue to surface linking Gay to Miami or Oklahoma City.

Responding to the latest round of rumors Wednesday, a deflated Gay gave some matter-of-fact comments on his predicament.

"I wake up every day and get ready to play the next game," Gay said, according to ESPN.com. "I'm with the Sacramento Kings. I prepare as if I'm going to be with the Sacramento Kings. I have no choice but to work for the Sacramento Kings. All the speculation is BS. Really, it's out of my control. I'll come here and be with my teammates and act as if I'll be here all year.

"I hear it. I've been traded before. If I came here as if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't help my teammates. That's a league thing. That's not just me. That's something you don't want a reputation for."

Gay re-signed in 2014 while Michael Malone was still coaching the Kings. Malone went on to coax a career year out of Gay, but Malone was suddenly dismissed in 2015. Since then Gay has been unhappy with the tumultuous organization.

After a flurry of change this offseason, an unimpressed Gay mused aloud that he didn't even know who the players were.

"Honestly, I haven't paid attention," the 6-foot-8 forward told Blake Ellington of Sactown Royalty in July. "I don't even know who our new players are to be honest with you."

Despite Gay's pointed comments, the Kings remain steadfast in their public stance that they intend to keep their second-best player.

The 30-year-old Gay has one year left on his deal for $13 million. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds last season while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from deep. The versatile swingman can also play both forward spots.

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