Welcome Mfiondu Kabengele

[avs2000]

The teams that had Hartenstein didn't know what they had in him either so I would not be surprised if KABS who was never getting minutes on the win now Clippers under Doc or TJL ends up killing it here but 10 days aint much time to prove himself. Not sure why Sacramento traded for him with that log jam I guess they never wanted him anyway

I am fine with it, not expecting a lot but this is the Cavs should be doing, looking for a diamond in the rough

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I'm OK with this guy. We don't have anybody who can muscle his way to the rim like that.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The last five games Dean Wade has averaged nearly 34 minutes with Nance out and Love on restricted minutes, but he has failed to take advantage of the opportunity, shooting 39.5% overall and 24.1% on 3's. I wonder if they'll give Kabengele some of Wade's minutes as a tryout for next season. It was reported they considered drafting him over Windler.

They could also keep Love's minutes down in hopes of giving him the best chance to end the season healthy.

 

[Cavatt]

Wtf.. had no affiliation with him. He may be good, but I didn't scout him in college either.

And FWIW, my scrub meter is fucking incredible. Go look at what I wrote about Hartenstein right after the trade. Was my latest pump.

That's my mistake. I thought you were high on him. You were really active in that draft thread. I don't think it would be crazy to be high on physical stretch 5 late in the first round. Worth a flier. Clippers have almost never developed anyone.

I personally think you are a pretty good evaluator, not that my opinion means anything.

 

[Cavatt]

I'm OK with this guy. We don't have anybody who can muscle his way to the rim like that.

He looks sort of slow

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

That's my mistake. I thought you were high on him. You were really active in that draft thread. I don't think it would be crazy to be high on physical stretch 5 late in the first round. Worth a flier. Clippers have almost never developed anyone.

I personally think you are a pretty good evaluator, not that my opinion means anything.

When I was actually scouting and learning about certain prospects like I did in the JJJ, Luka draft and prior I was good.

Nowadays? I barely do anything, so my evaluation is really superficial.

 

[CavsFan07]

I liked his potential as a prospect coming out of Florida State. Incredibly athletic and strong kid. The Clippers taking him never really made sense as he was an obvious project yet gets drafted by a team in win now mode.

Happy for the young man to get a shot somewhere else. Hopefully we can find some minutes for him and see if there’s anything there.

 

[ryanf]

Ceiling is poor man's ibaka

 

[Dr No]

The last five games Dean Wade has averaged nearly 34 minutes with Nance out and Love on restricted minutes, but he has failed to take advantage of the opportunity, shooting 39.5% overall and 24.1% on 3's. I wonder if they'll give Kabengele some of Wade's minutes as a tryout for next season. It was reported they considered drafting him over Windler.

They could also keep Love's minutes down in hopes of giving him the best chance to end the season healthy.

I think Wade has played well, just not shot well. But that’s kind of the nature of 3 point shooters - no one goes 4 for 10 every week. He could easily knock down 7 of his next 10 and his percentage pops right back up. Given his history, I don’t think the Cavs are worried about his shooting.
I think this is about needing a different kind of player on the roster. Wade and Nance are 4’s who can play a little 3 but struggle against 5’s. Kabengele looks like a 4/5. I think he’s handy with Allen out. And even when Allen comes back, we don’t have a lot of muscle so maybe he helps in that way. But he looks to be the kind of player we don’t really need long term. On offense he doesn’t stretch the floor and create space for Sexton/Garland. On D he doesn’t appear to be the shot blocker that we need at the 5 or quick enough to defend the pick and roll which is what we ask of our 4’s. Now, if he’s a legit 3 point shooter or has better lateral quickness than advertised, he could help.

 

[Lee]

He can shoot the 3, but probably at about 35% once he is settled, i did some digging to find out why he was cut.

The Clippers traded for him on draft night.

Then 5 days before the trade deadline, the Clippers sent him to the Kings for cash to make room for trades, as they are in win now mode.

Then the kings at the trade deadline cut Kabengele and Jabari Parker to make room on their roster for a deadline trade.

He hasnt been given a chance, but was looking strong in the g-league. He has a 9-1.5 standing reach which is very legit center height. He had a 35.5 vertical leap and lane agility numbers close to many of the wing players.

He is a physical beast who hasnt been given a chance to play because he was drafted by a contender. He is available because of roster room by 2 teams that made trades or acquisitions at the deadline.

Its a very nice pickup. Its only a 10 day contract, but he really shouldnt have been available. At first i was thinking just size until others get back, but he has a legit chance to stick with the team for the season and see what we got.

 

[daytripper]

Yeah I was impressed with him in the tournament a few years ago with FSU and definitely remember his name bandied around as a potential pick with the Houston FRP in 2019. He doesn't really have height for the 5 but certainly has the length with his reach. Why not throw him in with Hartenstein and see if they have anything esp with Nance and Allen injured (and who knows when Love ends up back on the injured list too). Cavs can definitely use some more physicality from their bigs.
The Clippers were trying to force him into a stretch big role. He can score a little bit but you are in trouble if you have to rely on him to create any offense.

 

[daytripper]

The teams that had Hartenstein didn't know what they had in him either so I would not be surprised if KABS who was never getting minutes on the win now Clippers under Doc or TJL ends up killing it here but 10 days aint much time to prove himself. Not sure why Sacramento traded for him with that log jam I guess they never wanted him anyway

Sac also got a future srp and cash from the Clips in the deal who wanted the roster spot which I believe they eventually gave to Cousins. Apparently Sac wanted Mann and not Fi but the Clippers wouldn't part with Tre Mann (drafted in the 2nd round of 2019 and also college teammate of Kabengele). Anyway it's all water under the bridge at this point. Hope Fi gets a chance to impress with the Cavs.

 

[Lee]

Yeah I was impressed with him in the tournament a few years ago with FSU and definitely remember his name bandied around as a potential pick with the Houston FRP in 2019. He doesn't really have height for the 5 but certainly has the length with his reach. Why not throw him in with Hartenstein and see if they have anything esp with Nance and Allen injured (and who knows when Love ends up back on the injured list too). Cavs can definitely use some more physicality from their bigs.
The Clippers were trying to force him into a stretch big role. He can score a little bit but you are in trouble if you have to rely on him to create any offense.

He is 6'10.5 and 260lbs with almost no fat. He has plenty of height and size for the 5, but his agility and possible shooting allows him to play the 4 too.

This might end up being a sneaky good pick up.

 

[ansatsusha80]

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

A lot of teams are playing without a true center - look at the Raptors last night.

I'd like to see this guy try to guard Zion tonight. Last game Zion just pushed his way to the rim at will and there was nothing the skinny (Allen, Nance) and undersized (Okoro) could do about it.