Any team looking to acquire Ben McLemore in the next 24 hours can think again. While rumors began to circulate the young guard was being included in potential trade packages for the Sacramento Kings, general manager Pete D'Alessandro is denying all reports. The general manager went as far as to say that McLemore will be a part of the Kings' future for many years to come.
On Tuesday, several NBA insiders reported the Kings had offered up McLemore along with Isaiah Thomas and a draft pick for Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. The team was willing to gamble their future for an All-Star before the trade deadline. However, the deal never came together. Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported the deal stalled because Rondo made it known he would not re-sign with the Kings once he becomes a free agent in 2015. The Kings no longer felt the deal was worth it.
Now, McLemore is being taken off the trade market while D'Alessandro denies he was ever on it.
"I think a lot of people act in ways in this league that I choose not to do," D'Alessandro said, via ProBasketballTalk.com. "So, I'm standing here today and I'm saying Ben McLemore is a guy that we have not put in deals. He's a guy that we love here. So, sources? I think I'm a source. We haven't put Ben in anything. We look at Ben as a major part of what we're doing long-term."
McLemore has certainly seen his share of rookie struggles this season after being the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft. However, the Kings believe he can only improve while the guard is averaging 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. While Sacramento intends to keep McLemore, they are not endorsing Thomas' future with the team.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Kings are continuing to shop Thomas before the deadline. It was recently reported Thomas suffered a wrist injury and could miss time, but the point guard intends to play through the pain. He is having his best season so far while averaging 20.2 points and 6.3 assists per game. Several teams are looking for point guard help and Thomas could come easily.
The Kings are also fielding offers for Jimmer Fredette before the deadline. Everyone from the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Washington Wizards could be options for a deal.
