Fansided

Top 10 players setting themselves up to be overpaid

By Robert Judin

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) reches for a loose ball during the first ahlf against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 8, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) dunks the basketball against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah Jazz on the game 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) dunks the basketball against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah Jazz on the game 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Ben McLemore

He was a highly touted recruit for Bill Self when he went to Kansas, but after one season as a Jayhawk, Ben McLemore became the seventh-overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

He was expected to thrive as a rookie for the Sacramento Kings in the 2013-14 season, but it turned out to be a not-so-stellar season for McLemore.

He shot just 37 percent from the field and averaged only 9 points per game with 1 assist per game. Those aren’t quite the numbers you’d expect to see from someone who is supposed to be a cornerstone of the franchise next to DeMarcus Cousins.

In his second season, though, McLemore bounced back with 12 points per game, and he started all 82 games for the Kings. His assists only went up to 1.7 per game, but he bumped his shooting percentage up to 44 percent.

More importantly, the style of McLemore’s play improved. He dropped at least 20 points in 13 games last season and kept his turnovers to less than two per game despite getting a dramatic increase in touches.

He’s still on his rookie deal, and the Kings picked up his two-year team option. So, McLemore will be a King through 2017, and then he’ll be a restricted free agent.

With George Karl as his head coach, McLemore can grow as a player. And with Rajon Rondo there to help get him the ball, McLemore should get more touches and better shots.

With all of those variables in the equation, McLemore should get a big chunk of change.

Next: 9. Giannis Antetokounmpo

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