It was the deal that disproved the age-old maxim that says the team that gets the best individual player in any sports trade always wins that trade.
On Dec. 9, 2013, first-year Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri shipped arguably the team’s best player, forward Rudy Gay, to the Sacramento Kings for four players: Greivis Vásquez, John Salmons, Chuck Hayes and Patrick Patterson. The Raps threw in two marginal players, and happily waved goodbye to the $38 million Gay was owed.
A few months earlier, former first overall pick Andrea Bargnani had been dealt to the New York Knicks.