NBA Free Agency: Three players that the Lakers are reportedly talking to
By Keith Rivas
Ben McLemore
The Sacramento Kings and Ben McLemore never really helped each other, it seems. Since being drafted a few years ago, McLemore hasn’t done a lot of damage in the league for a seventh overall pick.
He was selected in 2013, but has yet to have a stellar or breakout type of season. Playing shooting guard, he’d be the biggest risk out of the three players that Los Angeles is talking to.
McLemore isn’t a game changer, and until he can figure out his own game and excel at that, it’s not very clear how he’d help the team right now. The front office may be better off banking on the young talent they have rather than trying to groom a player that the Kings mismanaged.
Because he spent time in Sacramento, he understands the dysfunctional part of the league probably too well. That being said, playing in Los Angeles would give him a shot to prove himself under a more stable front office.
That’s not a solid reason to pursue him, but other than curiosity, there shouldn’t be much interest there anyway. If the new Lakers president and general manager are smart and want to avoid a bad money deal, they’ll stay away from McLemore when it’s all said and done.