The Kings won’t tender a qualifying offer to free agent guard Ben McLemore, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The move ensures that McLemore will become an unrestricted free agent, rather than a restricted free agent.
McLemore, 24, was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft, but has been inconsistent during his four years in Sacramento. The subject of trade rumors earlier in his career, McLemore was rumored to be making a strong impression on the Kings’ new coaching staff last fall, but he ultimately received a career-low 19.3 minutes in 61 games this season. Although McLemore’s numbers (8.1 PPG, .382 3PT%) were decent, he doesn’t appear to be a part of Sacramento’s future plans.
Because McLemore didn’t meet the starter criteria, his qualifying offer would have been worth $4,187,598. That would have given the Kings the right of first refusal if another team attempted to sign the former Kansas Jayhawk. Instead, McLemore will be free to sign outright with any club.
McLemore joins Michael Carter-Williams and Trey Burke as 2013 lottery picks whose teams won’t be tendering them a qualifying offer this week.
McLemore to the Clips? He would fit in nicely at SG.
The Clippers have like 5 combo guards
Since cp
Since cp3 left I was thinking more kyle Lowry
Crazy athletic. Someone could get a steal as the previous regime in SAC didn’t really have anyone flourish outside of Cousins.
Nice cheap addition for the wolves. Would love to see it.
Not necessarily good but I still feel like the Kings should have extended the qualifying offer. I could see him fetching more than 4 mil on the open market.
I could see Philly making a run at him
I really hope he goes somewhere and turns his career around he was so good at Kansas