Vivek Ranadive previously told one league insider he aspired for the Sacramento Kings to assemble a big three with Russell Westbrook joining DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay.

Before he tore his left Achilles tendon, Gay remained with the Kings because Ranadive believed deeply he would re-sign despite public and private comments to the contrary.

"Welcome to basketball hell," Gay reportedly said to George Karl upon the coach's arrival. 

Westbrook signed an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 offseason in which he can't become a free agent until 2018. Westbrook is also widely expected to sign the same type of supermax extension the Kings expect to sign Cousins to as well.