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Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Ben McLemore

By Maxwell Ogden

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Ben McLemore #23 of the Sacramento Kings warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Ben McLemore #23 of the Sacramento Kings warms up prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs steals the ball and breaks away from Ben McLemore #23 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs steals the ball and breaks away from Ben McLemore #23 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Con: Defensive Inconsistency

Ben McLemore has the physical profile of an elite defensive player, but he hasn’t come close to achieving that status. Thus far, he’s been a below-average defensive player whose potential has been generally squandered.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek may be able to extract some of that defensive potential, but it’s an undeniable risk based on what’s been seen thus far.

McLemore finished the 2016-17 NBA regular season at No. 71 amongst shooting guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus. McLemore ranked No. 404 in Defensive RPM overall, which is a fair indication of just how poor of a defender he’s been.

A new environment could do McLemore wonders, but even at 6’5″ with explosive athleticism, he’s struggled mightily on defense.

McLemore’s defensive consistency could improve under head coach Jeff Hornacek. Keep in mind, it was as recent as 2013-14 that Gerald Green played acceptable defense under Hornacek—form that he hasn’t since rediscovered.

If Hornacek can work that same magic with McLemore, he could groom an even better two-way player at shooting guard.