Mfiondu

Kabengele

Kabengele had an impressive Summer League and managed a 18/4/1/1/4 line in his final SL appearance tonight, so we don’t blame the Celtics for liking what they’ve seen. He was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2019 draft and most recently played for the Cavaliers, but he isn’t going to be playing a ton with Robert Williams locked in to start at center. Maybe he’ll play some backup minutes, but there’s no need to consider drafting him in fantasy leagues as of now.

Begarin came in averaging 16.5 points on 39.7% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 dimes, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 1.0 triple and 4.5 turnovers per game in four SL appearances, which is promising, but he clearly still has some issues in a few areas. Begarin most recently played in France and is now fighting for a roster spot somewhere in the league, so he’ll more than likely be a non-factor in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. Mfiondu Kabengele was next up in scoring for Boston with 18 points with a nice all-around effort inclusive of a steal, four blocks and two triples, and JD Davison had another fantastic showing with a 17/6/10 line, but the Celtics are coming off a Finals berth and already know who’s going to be playing heavy minutes on opening night.

Kabengele is having a fun Summer League but the Celtics are loaded and it’s going to be tough for him to make much of a dent again this season, especially in fantasy. Justin Jackson led the way with 24 points and Juhann Begarin added 21 points in the win over the Warriors. Brodric Thomas also had a nice game with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and four 3-pointers in the win.

After dominating for the G League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers last season, the 2019 first-round pick has torn it up in Summer League, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 boards, 3.5 dimes and 1.5 stocks in two games. We wouldn’t count on him being a fantasy factor this season, especially on a team as loaded as Boston.

Kabengele inked a deal with Cleveland towards the end of last season, but it was not guaranteed beyond 2021, and the Cavs are now moving on. There’s no fantasy impact with his departure.

Love exploded for 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals in Wednesday’s victory over the Celtics, but it is no surprise that the Cavs want to limit the wear and tear on Love in the season’s final weekend. Dean Wade, Mfiondu Kabengele and Isaiah Hartenstein should all see additional minutes with Love sidelined

The knee was either bugging him in this one, or he caught a case of the Cavs and just wasn’t feeling it against the Mavs on Sunday. He could be shutdown any day now, and we’re fairly surprised that he hasn’t been yet. Dallas is awful at defending power forwards too, so this is an even bigger disappointment, but at least Mfiondu Kabengele kind of proved this with a career-high 14 points with four boards, a dime and a triple in 23 minutes off the bench.

Kabengele’s contract is guaranteed for the rest of the season, though it’s non-guaranteed for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. He’s yet to make a fantasy impact and that’s unlikely to change in the final weeks of Cleveland’s current campaign.

Kabengele isn’t a major player as far as fantasy is concerned, especially with Jarrett Allen and Isaiah Hartenstein both figuring prominently in the Cavaliers rotation.

Kabengele did not get into Saturday’s loss to the Raptors until late, and he would be in line for a similar workload if made available to play Sunday. Leave him in the waiver wire.