The Sacramento Kings are in the thick of NBA trade rumors lately as they try to build a sensible roster after their moves in the draft and free agency.
While the team does not seem too concerned with the logjam at center (although the rumor mill is rife with rejuvenated interest in DeMarcus Cousins and an intention to trade Kosta Koufos), the Kings are busy in their efforts to trade Rudy Gay as well as Ben McLemore.
These were confirmed by Marc Stein of ESPN: "Sources told ESPN that the Kings are actively seeking to move Gay as well as big man Kosta Koufos and guard Ben McLemore."
McLemore can't seem to get on the Kings' good side. Former coach George Karl has placed him at the "doghouse" and has not given him regular rotation minutes. Karl was eventually fired, primarily because of his conflict with Cousins but it doesn't seem like the Kings have big plans for him.
In this summer's free agency, the Kings signed two shooting guards in veteran Arron Afflalo (two years, $25 million) and Garrett Temple (three years, $24 million) which virtually signed McLemore's ticket out of Sacramento.
One position that the Kings have not addressed is their starting point guard spot. With all their big men, they need a real pass-first point guard and Ricky Rubio plays the role competently with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves were prime players to trade for Jimmy Butler but they failed to reel him in, and now they have a logjam at the point guard spot with Rubio, newly drafted rookie Kris Dunn, Tyus Jones and even Zach Lavine who the Wolves experimented as a point guard as well.
While the jury is still out on whether new Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau would assign Lavine at the point, trading Rubio for McLemore can help his decision. Hoops Habit believes the Kings would be a great destination for Rubio as he would offer stability at the position.
New Kings' coach Dave Joerger worked the point guard-center tandem well while he was in Memphis with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. He could do well with Rubio and Cousins.
The caveat is that Ben McLemore has low trade value (because he wasn't exposed enough) so the Wolves may have to ask for future draft picks