NBA Notes: Kings, Clippers, Dalano Banton, Warriors Pat Spencer

Kings

The Kings are officially in it now.

Sacramento owns the league’s worst record at 12-41 and has dropped 11 straight, matching its longest losing streak since the 1991-92 season. The franchise mark is 14. They are getting uncomfortably close.

Head coach Doug Christie leaned into the moment Friday, riding a group of younger players late in a 114-111 loss to the Clippers. That group included Devin Carter, Daeqwon Plowden, and rookies Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell.

“For me, it’s extremely tough to lose, but that’s part of the job,” Christie said, via the Sacramento Bee. “The value for these young players is incredible. You don’t get those opportunities. They’re finding their way.”

That may be true. The standings are not forgiving.

Clippers

The Clippers are filling gaps.

L.A. plans to sign Dalano Banton to a 10-day contract, per multiple reports. Banton, a Toronto native, has bounced around the league and is coming off a strong G League stretch with Dallas’ affiliate.

In the NBAGL, Banton averaged over 24 points per game with heavy usage. Efficiency has always been the question, but the Clippers have roster flexibility after deadline deals and are taking a look.

The timing matters. Signing Banton helps L.A. manage its two-way usage and keeps options open for Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller going forward.

Warriors

The Warriors converted Pat Spencer from a two-way deal to a standard contract, making him playoff-eligible. The contract runs through the remainder of the season at the prorated veteran minimum, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Spencer has earned it. A former lacrosse standout who came to basketball late, he is enjoying the best season of his NBA career and stepped up in a big way when Stephen Curry missed time. His promotion had been viewed as inevitable for weeks.

The Warriors still have roster flexibility and are reportedly monitoring Lonzo Ball, but locking in Spencer was the easy call.