''We're really happy and pleased by what we're seeing as a team and how we're growing.'' With the backing of the Kings, Gay joined Cousins with Team USA this summer after Indiana Pacers forward Paul George was lost to injury and NBA MVP Kevin Durant stepped away from the team. ''What we have going on here is something different and I think everyone has sensed that from the beginning of the year, from training camp to now,'' D'Alessandro said. Signing Gay to an extension now eliminates a potential distraction as the season progresses. Gay is excelling early, averaging 21.8 points, 3.6 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game. ''I think this team could be really good in the future.'' The Kings view Gay as a second cornerstone to their franchise alongside center DeMarcus Cousins, who is in the first year of a four-year, $62 million contract extension he signed last summer. ''When you're looking at somewhere you can be for an extended amount of years, you look at where you are now and where you could be in the future,'' Gay said.
That risk paid off Wednesday when Gay signed a three-year, $40 million extension to stay in Sacramento through the 2016-17 season.
(AP) - Sacramento Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro took a calculated risk when he acquired veteran forward Rudy Gay from the Toronto Raptors in a seven-player trade last December.
