The Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings are discussing a trade that would send disappointing center Benoit Benjamin to Northern California for Joe Kleine, Clippers sources said Thursday.
General Manager Elgin Baylor, in Sacramento to watch the Kings play the Miami Heat, denied, however, that the trip was made with a trade in mind."Talks may come up, I won't deny that," Baylor said. "But it's just like with any other team. I go to see them and I talk to the general manager about who we like and who they like. We talk shop."
Sources said, however, that Baylor had Kleine in mind.
The 7-foot Benjamin, who has once again frustrated the Clippers with his inconsistency, lost his starting job five games ago to Greg Kite. He is averaging 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, but his attitude is a concern.
Kleine, the No. 6 pick in the 1985 draft, has had three unspectacular campaigns with the Kings. He started the first four games of this season, but after missing the next three with broken ribs was not able to get the spot back from LaSalle Thompson.