There are a lot of team executives around the NBA that think if Ben McLemore gets a change of scenery, gets out of Sacramento, he might thrive like a former No. 7 pick is expected to. It’s no secret the Kings have looked to trade him.
So it should be no surprise that McLemore and Sacramento are not going to come to terms to extend his rookie contract. While in theory things could change before the Oct. 31 deadline, don’t bet on it. Chris Haynes of ESPN broke the news:
Projected as a shooter, McLemore hit 36.2 percent from beyond the arc last season, but he doesn’t do nearly as well inside the arc, he doesn’t get to the line, he’s not a great passer, and while he has potential he’s got work to do on the defensive end.
How much of that is because of the coaching carousel in Sacramento since McLemore arrived, and how much of that is because of McLemore?
How much is another team willing to pay to find out?
We’ll find out the answers to those questions over the next 10 months.