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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 23

2015-16 Salary: $3,156,600

Contract Expires: 2017 (Restricted Free Agent)

Slash Line: .451/.372/.732

Season Averages: 21.0 MPG, 7.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 3PM

Leading up to the 2013 NBA Draft, many pegged Ben McLemore as one of the prime candidates to go No. 1 overall. McLemore instead slipped to No. 7, going to a Sacramento Kings team that hasn’t done much by way of developing his talents.

According to Chris Haynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, a number of Eastern Conference teams have inquired about McLemore’s availability.

"The Cavaliers, among with a handful of other Eastern Conference teams, have strong interest in trading for Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore, league sources told cleveland.com."

The question is, can New York offer an attractive enough package to land McLemore and thus improve its long-term future?

McLemore, 23, hasn’t shown any signs of being a future star, but he’s converting an attractive 37.2 percent of his 3-point field goals in 2015-16. One simply can’t help but question if the price New York would have to pay would really be worth it.

Chances are, acquiring McLemore would require sending Arron Afflalo to the postseason-hungry Kings—a steep price that would likely damage New York’s immediate postseason aspirations.

If developed properly, McLemore could be a gem of a trade acquisition;. He’s an explosive leaper who can shoot from all over the court. Having played for three coaches in as many seasons, coming to New York could offer a needed change of scenery if Phil Jackson is able to find the right head coach.

If nothing else, McLemore would only benefit from playing alongside a capable mentor in Carmelo Anthony.

Next: The Other Piece of the Kevin Martin Trade

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