Sacramento Kings shooting guard Ben McLemore is rumored to be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans because of his recent struggles. (Photo : Getty Images)
With Ben McLemore's recent in-game struggles, the Sacramento Kings are allegedly considering to trade the 2013 seventh overall pick to beef up the team's shooting guard spot, which is reportedly the only position in George Karl's starting unit that is not performing according to his expectations so far.
Sacramento's current starters are Kosta Koufos at center, DeMarcus Cousins at power forward, Rudy Gay at three, and Rajon Rondo at the point with McLemore suiting up ahead of Marco Belinelli at the two guard spot.
The former Kansas Jayhawks standout is experiencing a "minutes reduction" punishment from Karl these days because of his poor performance in the team's first six outings of the season.
So far, McLemore is averaging 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in only 18.8 minutes per game, a stark decline from his career averages of 10.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, and 1.4 apg in 29.6 mpg. Last season he averaged 12.1 points, 2.9 caroms, and 1.7 dimes for the Kings in 32.6 minutes a night and 82 games as a starter mostly for former coach Mike Malone.
His inconsistency led to speculations that the Kings are actually planning to trade the 22-year-old stalwart in the middle of the season.
Fansided noted that there will be "no room" for McLemore in the Kings' lineup altogether "especially if he cannot find consistency" as Karl is reportedly thinking about starting two point guards together in Rondo and Darren Collison.
When that happens, McLemore will relatively be left out in the dust as the team's fifth player in its backcourt pecking order because Belinelli is generally a better outside shooter than him while D-League sensation Seth Curry could ably back up Rondo at the no. 1 spot.
Meanwhile, an SB Nation article said that the New Orleans Pelicans could offer a trade to the Kings for McLemore as they have the "vets to make that work".
New Orleans is recently struggling with a 0-5 win-loss record to start the season at the bottom of the West because of numerous injuries to their backcourt.
While starting point guard Jrue Holiday is on a minutes restriction procedure, backup Norris Cole is still out recuperating from a high ankle sprain and shooting guard Tyreke Evans is also sidelined by a knee injury.
McLemore could definitely help Anthony Davis and company if he ends up with the Pelicans sometime this season.
