Soaring Down South
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The Hawks Should Target Ben McLemore

By Collin Huguley

Apr 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks need a shooting guard that can flat-out score. Ben McLemore has the talent but has been stuck in Sacramento.

Kyle Korver is entering the final year of his contract with Atlanta and is getting up there in age. At age 35, Korver is still a terrific threat from the perimeter, but the Hawks should look to the future at the position and get a player with the potential to score in a variety of ways.

Some would say that the Hawks have their guy in Tim Hardaway Jr. that can take the reins. But, what if their was a higher upside player out there on the trade block that was also a better fit?

That player could be Sacramento Kings guard, Ben McLemore. Per ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Kings have been open to dealing McLemore instead of extending his contract. Still only 23 years old, McLemore has flashed the potential that made him, to some, the best prospect in the 2013 Draft class.

The Fit

I believe that McLemore would be worth taking a chance on. He has one of the smoothest jump shots in the NBA, and is already a solid three-point shooter at 35% for his career. But with that release, I have no doubt that the Hawks coaching staff could morph him into a deadly outside shooter.

Let’s also not forget that McLemore has been stuck on the Kings for the past three seasons. THE KINGS! He has been able to post 10 points per game for his career in the worst of situations in the NBA. Yes, McLemore was a standout at Kansas and even resembled a young Ray Allen. But he was still in need of development and the Hawks could be the perfect landing spot for him.

In an offense that articulates ball movement, the Hawks have been terrific at finding open perimeter shots under Mike Budenholzer. They just need more people to knock those shots down. McLemore hasn’t gotten those shots on terrible Sacramento teams. Also, McLemore could be eased into the system with Korver and Hardaway on the roster, while also challenging Hardaway for his role as the season progresses. With that type of opportunity and unselfish play, McLemore can really excel from the perimeter.

McLemore is also terrific at finding open space on the floor. He has a terrific feel for court position and is often in a great spot to score. The ineffective play style of the Kings didn’t allow that to stand out on a consistent basis.

But let’s not discount his inside game. McLemore is a more than capable driver with extremely soft touch around the rim. He charges into traffic and shows no panic in attacking the basket, and has displayed a solid ability to finish contested shots.

What Would He Cost?

If there’s one thing we know about the Kings’ front office, it’s that it is very unqualified. The team seems to really undervalue McLemore and his potential for growth. That could make him a buy-low target for the Hawks.

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The Kings are not going to extend McLemore before he enters restricted free agency, which could also make him cheap as a rental. The Kings have a big need for a stretch forward and the Hawks could use McLemore’s scoring potential. A trade could look something like this:

Hawks receive: Ben McLemore, 2017 second round pick

Kings receive: Mike Scott, Thabo Sefolosha

The Hawks could clear some minutes for McLemore with Sefolosha going to the Kings, who need defense. Scott’s presence with the Hawks can be replaced with the return of Kris Humphries and the ability of Taurean Prince to play the 4 in small ball.

Yes, Sefolosha’s defense is valuable, but he, too, is in the last year of his deal. The Hawks could then choose next off-season which young shooting guard to move forward with: Hardaway or McLemore. The Hawks are also a strong defensive team that could make up for Sefolosha’s presence with their variety of good defenders.

Yes, Hardaway is already here and could be good. But McLemore’s ceiling and fit in the Hawks’ free-flowing offense is too good to not try out. He could be a perfect understudy, and eventual replacement, for Korver. In Atlanta, McLemore could finally realize the potential that excited so many people during his days at Kansas.

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