The Sacramento Kings sent Garrett Temple to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday in exchange for their former player Ben McLemore.
McLemore who was drafted by the Kings with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft averaged 7.5 points per contest while shooting a dismal 34.6 percent from the three-point country in his stint with the Grizzlies. In his best year in the league, Mclemore averaged 12.1 points per game.
Besides McLemore, the Kings will also receive forward Deyonta Davis, a 2021 second-round draft pick and cash considerations from the Grizzlies. With the move, the Kings saved an additional $1 million to accumulate $20.5 million in cap space.
On the other hand, the Kings also acquired a productive player in Davis who averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes of playing time. Davis will join the crowded frontcourt of Kings that features second overall pick Marvin Bagley III, Skal Labissiere, Harry Giles, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
Puzzling Move For The Kings
Deadspin journalist Albert Burneko called McLemore's return to the Kings as a very depressing NBA trade. Burneko praised McLemore's nice first step and good elevation but he criticized his lack of interest in being any kind of professional basketball player.
McLemore registered a terrible .526 true shooting percentage last season with the Grizzlies, which is ranked 324th in the NBA. Prior to the entering the league, McLemore drew comparisons from Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal with his incredible shooting stroke and outstanding athletic gifts.
The former University of Kansas star captured the attention of the league when he finished as a runner-up in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie season. During his first stint with the Kings, McLemore had averages of 9.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Grizzlies Are Winners Of The Trade
Bleacher Report's Joseph Zucker believes that the Grizzlies have clearly won the trade. The 32-year-old Temple had a productive game last season averaging 8.4 points while shooting a career-high 39.2 percent from the three-point range.
The Grizzlies will mark the seventh team in the nine-year career of Temple. Zucker added that with Memphis signing Kyle Anderson into a four-year $37.2 million deal, Temple is likely to play the shooting guard position for the Grizzlies.
Kyle Boone of CBS Sports noted that the addition of Temple is a good one for the Grizzlies. Memphis is looking to return to the playoffs after missing last year's edition. The Grizzlies are also expected to see the return of court general Mike Conley and towering center Marc Gasol into the lineup.
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