Sacramento Kings made a trade with their Pacific Division rivals, the LA Clippers. The Kings acquired striker Mfiondu Kabengele, a future second-round player and money in exchange for a future protected second-round choice.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news and offered a few more details.
Kings used an exchange exception that would have expired today in the transaction. Both choices in the second round are strongly protected and unlikely to be transmitted, the sources said. Kings brings a young striker to evaluate – and make money; Clippers create an on-call point. https://t.co/MpqjAm4UOX
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 23, 2021
Kabengele has played 23 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 1.2 points and 0.6 rebounds in 4.1 minutes per game.
The 23-year-old was ranked 27th overall by Brooklyn Nets in the NBA 2019 Draft. His draft rights were negotiated with LA for a future first-round pick and Jaylen Hands.
Kabengele’s 36-minute numbers are encouraging with 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds. If general manager Monte McNair decides to negotiate with the great Nemanja Bjelica and Hassan Whiteside ahead of the NBA negotiation deadline on Thursday, we could see Kabengele gain a few extra minutes during the final stretch of the regular season.
The Clippers refused to choose Kabengele’s option, so he will be a free agent at the end of the season.