With the NBA offseason starting to hit its typical mid-summer lull and training camp still over two months away, free agency signings have died down but trade talks remain in full force.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sacramento Kings agreed to send one of their more important bench pieces to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-player trade. Wojnarowski reports that Sacramento will trade guard Garrett Temple to the Grizz in exchange for Ben McLemore, Deyonta Davis, a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations.
The Sacramento Kings are trading guard Garrett Temple to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Ben McLemore, forward Deyonta Davis, cash and a 2021 second-round draft pick, league sources told ESPN.
The teams are setting up a trade call with the league office on Tuesday to make the deal official, league sources said.
Garrett Temple, who is a solid veteran wing that didn’t fit very well with Sacramento’s rebuild, will give the Grizzlies a much-needed boost on the perimeter. Temple has quietly been one of the better two-way guards in the NBA and could serve as Memphis’ starter alongside Mike Conley in their backcourt.
The Grizzlies have laid largely under the radar this offseason but have made some calculated moves in the process. They drafted an elite prospect in Jaren Jackson Jr. and also added versatile forward Kyle Anderson.
Now, adding Temple into the mix gives them a serviceable core which could have them fighting for a playoff spot in an unforgiving Western Conference.
For the Kings, they will reunite with a player they drafted years ago in Ben McLemore and add extra youth to their frontcourt with Deyonta Davis. While McLemore’s first four years with the Kings were disappointing, perhaps a second stint can bring the best out of him, though playing time may be scarce for him with Sacramento’s other guard options.
