At 6’8 with a 7’3 wingspan, Gay can effectively guard the perimeter while manning the interior for stretches as well.
Last season, the Spurs finished with a sterling 103.94 Defensive Rating during the minutes that Rudy Gay shared with throwback big man Jakob Poeltl.
Known as a defensive liability earlier in his career, Gay has officially made the transition to asset as his career has progressed. Meanwhile, Gay should provide sufficient spacing at the 4 spot alongside Gobert or the recently acquired Hassan Whiteside as well. The Jazz can deploy Gay as a center when they are up against a five-out formulation and having difficulty keeping pace with their opponent. The Jazz will be hoping for an outcome that resembles 2018-19, but regardless, defensive schemes will account for Gay’s shooting. He followed that performance up with a career-best 40.2% mark in 2018-19. For example, Gay shot a paltry 31.4% from deep in 2017-18.
He’s a career 35% three-point shooter, but his season percentages have actually been wildly inconsistent throughout his career. The main luxury Gay affords the Jazz is the same luxury they were missing against the Clippers: frontcourt spacing.