Luc Mbah a Moute is happy for chance with Clippers after Kings let him go

The corners of Luc Mbah a Moute’s mouth curled into a smile as he processed a question about his right shoulder.

There was nothing funny about a failed physical with the Sacramento Kings that led to the team voiding his contract this summer except maybe the notion that there really was something physically wrong with him.

“I mean, I’ve been healthy,” Mbah a Moute said Sunday, one day after the veteran forward secured the Clippers’ final roster spot. “There’s never been a limitation for me. You have to go ask the people in Sacramento.”

The Kings apparently felt otherwise, voiding his contract in July only two days after signing him. The NBA Players’ Assn. later filed a grievance against the franchise on behalf of Mbah a Moute, with the sides engaging in arbitration late last month. Mbah a Moute said lawyers are still discussing the matter and that he could not divulge what compensation he would receive should he prevail.

The former UCLA standout was cleared to play for Team Africa in August during an exhibition game involving NBA players in Johannesburg and later passed the Clippers’ physical before reporting to training camp in September.

“We did our due diligence,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said, “so he’s good.”

Mbah a Moute, 29, claimed the 15th and final roster spot but figures to be the 12th or 13th man on the depth chart after beating out Chuck Hayes to make the team. He is coming off a season with the Philadelphia 76ers in which he averaged career highs in points (9.9), assists (1.6), steals (1.2) and minutes (28.6) while solidifying his reputation as a versatile defender.

His making the Clippers did not come with any fanfare.

“They didn’t tell me,” Mbah a Moute said of making the cut. “They didn’t tell me I was gone, so I’m here I guess.”

There will be no surprises when it comes to the schedule. The Clippers open the regular season against the Kings on Wednesday at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento and play them again Saturday at Staples Center.

It won’t be as awkward as you might think. Mbah a Moute said he still likes the Kings players and coaching staff and noted that he opted to go to Sacramento as a free agent because he thought it was a good fit.

“I wish them luck. No hard feelings,” Mbah a Moute said. “I’m excited about the opportunity I have here now.”

One downside to Mbah a Moute’s ordeal was the inability to train with a team during informal September workouts until the Clippers invited him to training camp.

“The whole summer I was training, but when you’re at home training with your trainer, it’s not the same as when you’re in the team setting,” Mbah a Moute said. “Nowadays, September is a big month for teams. Teams get together and start playing and I didn’t have that.”

He has it now, and he’s probably in a better spot. The Clippers are contenders in the Western Conference while the Kings will be vying just to make it into the playoffs.

“I’m glad it worked out for me,” Mbah a Moute, “so that’s the main thing.”

Etc.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, called Gregg Popovich succeeding Mike Krzyzewski as coach of USA Basketball “huge” for the organization. “I couldn’t imagine replacing Coach K with anybody other than somebody like Coach Popovich,” Paul said. Said Rivers: “I think they got it right, for sure.” … Rivers on speculation that Hayes, 32, will go into coaching after being cut: “There’s no doubt that Chuck Hayes will be a coach, but I would say he’s not ready to coach yet. Chuck can play a couple of more years.”

ben.bolch@latimes.com

Twitter: @latbbolch