Clippers Promote Kobe Sanders
While the addition of Banton brings the Clippers to 14 players on standard contracts, at least temporarily, the Clippers converted rookie Kobe Sanders’s two-way contract to a standard deal late last night. Sanders, who receives a two-year minimum salary, takes over the Clippers’ 15th spot.
“The LA Clippers are signing 2nd round rookie Kobe Sanders to a rest of season minimum contract with a 2026 team option, team source tells The Athletic,” Law Murray tweeted.
Sanders is a capable ball-handler who can create in the mid-range and has shown improvement as a shooter. However, his biggest assets are his size (6-8), length, and defensive versatility. He can guard all three backcourt positions.
Sanders has improved throughout the season and is currently playing his best basketball since the start of the New Year. Sanders averages 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds with shooting splits of 44.8/38.1/81.4 in 21.5 minutes over 43 appearances. He has scored in double-figures 13 times, including one 20-point effort.
Sanders has been a regular rotational player for the Clippers over the last three months. However, that may change once Darius Garland and Benedict Mathurin make their debut.
Sanders was promoted because he was nearing the NBA’s 50-game active game limit. Still, Sanders is seen as a developmental piece. So, the Clippers may decline his team option for 2025-26 and re-sign him to another two-way deal.
Once Banton’s deal is completed, Los Angeles will have 15 players on standard contracts and will be over $1 aboce the luxury tax. The Clippers will likely waive Banton after his 10-day contract ends during the NBA All-Star break.
