10:54pm: The trade is official, according to a Clippers press release.
9:07pm: The Clippers are trading big man Mfiondu Kabengele, a future second-round pick, and cash to the Kings in exchange for a future second-rounder, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. Both second-round picks are heavily protected and are unlikely to convey, Woj adds (via Twitter).
The Kings, who have an open roster spot to and won’t need to cut anyone, are using a $2,673,334 trade exception that was set to expire on Monday to take on Kabengele’s salary. They’ll presumably receive more than enough cash to cover the money owed to him for the rest of the season, making the deal worth their while.
The Clippers, meanwhile, open up a roster spot with the deal and create some extra room below their hard cap, giving them more flexibility to make another trade or sign a free agent.
As a hard-capped team, the Clippers would have needed to wait until March 30 to sign another player. With two roster spots open, they can now fill one or both of those spots, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets. The club moves to $2.6MM below the hard cap (Twitter link via Marks).
Kabengele has appeared in 23 games this season but is only averaging 4.1 MPG in those outings, having essentially been limited to garbage time. The 27th overall pick in 2019, Kabengele saw action in 12 games last season as a rookie.
The 23-year-old power forward, who played college ball at Florida State, had his third-year option for 2021/22 declined, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, assuming he spends the rest of the season under contract.
I liked Kabengele a lot. The Clippers tarnished his value. Sacramento could use his defense at the 5, depending on who theh end up keeping. Could be a really good value move for them, although obviously his option was declining ed going into next year. He was one of the Clippers only assets, so not sure what they’ll be able to do
So he’ll be deciding which country overseas he wants to play in next year at season’s end. FTFY
So this is our Big Move ?? WOOT, here comes the Playoffs now !! Sigh !!
Yes that’s he playoff move…… What’s your problem guy?
This is what this trade like this happens
2 smartest trades ideas ever force this deal done
1 Rockets want to trade Oladipo for Wiseman or Wolves pick
2. Mavs want to trade Kieber for John Collins
You cracked the code Sillivan.
He tries, let’s give him his participation trophy.
Kabwengele has potential and if I were the kings I’d keep him
Waiting for buy outs, not sure who will become available but I think Hassan Whiteside and Austin Rivers could be possibilities
Want some free money and a free player, here you go Kings! Wonder how the Clippers arrived at Sacramento deserving their charity? I’d have offered it to Minnesota or Detroit, they’re not likely to hurt me anytime soon.
Good and obvious move ahead of deadline and buyout season. They need some space below the hard cap line. Even a straight trade is hard that close (have to take back = or less money vs 125%). 2.6 mm can accommodate 3 buyout contracts.
FSU Seminole fans say,
it was a great day anyway.
Clippers making room for another move. They have roster spots and more cap space now. Real trade is yet to come. Gotta think it’s Hill and a BO player. They might go and get Rivers back. He could be had cheap.