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Report: Kings' Afflalo declined to enter game vs. Rockets

USA Today Sports

Arron Afflalo has gone from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows quickly in his first season with the Sacramento Kings after signing a two-year, $25-million contract over the summer.

He opened the 2016-17 campaign as a starter for 18 of the first 20 games, but the 31-year-old shooting guard has slowly seen his role deteriorate into that of a reserve who rarely sees the floor, with the occasional DNP-CD sprinkled in.

Afflalo has gotten so frustrated with his current situation that he was reportedly "slow to enter the game" against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 10, and "declined to enter" against the Houston Rockets four nights later, league sources told KHTK Sports' Carmichael Dave.

He did eventually take the floor against the Rockets, totaling seven minutes in what was essentially garbage time of a 34-point loss at the Toyota Center. Afflalo missed three of his four shots, including both from behind the arc, for two points and one rebound.

Ben McLemore appears to be more of a priority by being slotted in at the two-spot. His immense struggles as an offensive weapon show just how far out of favor Afflalo has fallen under new head coach Dave Joerger.

Afflalo is averaging under 10 points per contest for just the first time in six years at 7.3, while shooting just 40.5 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from deep. His player efficiency rating of 8.9 is also tanking, just like his minutes.

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