SACRAMENTO -- Arron Afflalo wants no part of the drama in Sacramento. Despite published reports to the contrary, the veteran shooting guard was very clear Tuesday night, telling Sacramento media members that he has not refused to go into games this season.
"No, no, I've been active and available for every game," Afflalo said.
"I'm a player that loves to compete and play," Afflalo added. "But I have to be there for my teammates. Guys are playing well, getting their opportunity as coach figures out the rotation and things of that nature. But it's a long season and things tend to shake themselves out."
Speaking to coach Joerger before the Portland game, he acknowledged that he was giving other players a look at the shooting guard spot after allowing Afflalo to start in 18 of the team's first 20 games.
Afflalo, 31, is off to a rough start with the Kings after signing a two-year, $25 million deal over the summer. The veteran shooting guard is averaging just 7.4 points on 41.3 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 23.8 minutes a night.
Before seeing 31 minutes against the Blazers on Tuesday night, Afflalo had played just 24 minutes combined over the previous seven games, including four DNP-CDs.
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Sacramento holds a $12.5 million player option on Afflalo for next season with a $1.5 million buyout.