Benjamin Trade Discussed by Clippers, Sacramento

The Clippers and the Sacramento Kings are discussing a trade that would send disappointing center Benoit Benjamin to Northern California for Joe Kleine, Clipper sources said Thursday.

Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor, who was in Sacramento to watch the Kings play the Miami Heat, denied, however, that the trip was made with a trade in mind. Baylor, who is a good friend of Bill Russell, the Kings’ general manager, said the visit had been planned for weeks.

“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.

Clipper owner Donald T. Sterling, President Alan Rothenberg and Coach Gene Shue refused comment. Russell, who had lunch with Baylor Thursday, did not return phone calls.

The 7-foot Benjamin, who is in the last year of his contract and who again is playing inconsistently, lost his starting job 5 games ago to Greg Kite. Benjamin 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 3 unspectacular campaigns with the Kings. He started the first 4 games of this season but, after missing the next 3 with broken ribs, was not able to get the spot back from LaSalle Thompson. Kleine, also 7-0, went into the Miami game averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds and was shooting only 33.7%.