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Sacramento Kings Pick Up Option on Ben McLemore

By Evan Massey

Mar 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (16) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers forward Hollis Thompson (31) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Kings defeated the Sixers 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (16) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers forward Hollis Thompson (31) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Kings defeated the Sixers 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings selected shooting guard Ben McLemore with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, but didn’t get too much out of him in his rookie season last year. He definitely has the potential to become a solid NBA starter, but he wasn’t able to adjust to the speed of the game. Heading into his second season, the expectations are high and the Kings are hoping that they will see more of the potential that he possesses.

According to a report from NBA.com, the Kings have picked up McLemore’s 2015-16 contract option. The Kings also waived center Sim Bhullar, guard Deonte Burton, and forward David Wear.

This move comes as no surprise obviously, but it’s worth taking a look at and considering what the future of McLemore holds in Sacramento. Nik Stauskas was also drafted by the Kings this past offseason, and could take away some of the minutes that McLemore would otherwise be getting. That will just give McLemore more motivation and hopefully will spur him forward and help him realize his full potential quicker.

McLemore played in all 82 regular season games last season with Sacramento, starting in 55 of those appearances. He averaged 8.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 37.6 percent from the floor overall and 32.0 percent from behind the three-point arc. There is no question that those shooting percentages will go up this coming season, now that he has more confidence and understands the game a bit more.

Sacramento is hoping to see McLemore rise to the type of player that many expected him to be when he entered the NBA Draft. He has the all-around game to become a lethal scorer and knockdown shooter, but he has to adjust to the speed and toughness of the game. Expect to see a much better version of McLemore this season, and to see him begin showing more of his potential.

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