He’s averaging 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his career, but is shooting 38.8 percent this season, the lowest of his career. Gay, who was traded from Memphis to Toronto last season, is in his eighth NBA season. The Kings are hoping Gay can provide immediate help while building around him and DeMarcus Cousins, who received a four-year, $62 million extension before the season. Sacramento has a 6-13 record and had lost six straight until beating Utah and Dallas in back-to-back games. “We’ve had a lot of really good backups for a long time and now we are acquiring starters.
“We need players here in Sacramento and that’s just the bottom line,” said general manager Pete D’Alessandro, who praised the owner’s financial backing on the trade.
