All articles tagged with #clippers
The planned Kawhi Leonard trade back to Toronto is on hold as the NBA investigates the Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Aspiration for potential salary-cap circumvention; Toronto won’t assume penalties until the probe concludes, leaving Leonard’s return, the Clippers’ roster strategy, and the Raptors’ reunion in limbo.
The planned Raptors–Clippers deal to reunite Kawhi Leonard is on hold while the NBA investigates Leonard’s sponsorship with Aspiration and possible salary-cap circumvention; depending on the outcome, Leonard’s contract could be voided and the trade delayed or altered, with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 pick swap, and two second-rounders (2030, 2033) at stake if it proceeds. If no discipline is found, the trade would likely move forward, and officials aim to resolve the matter before the NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas.
Trade talks between the Clippers and Raptors over Kawhi Leonard have a framework: LA would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a first-round pick, but the Clippers are pushing for more value, including Jamal Shead to take on Dick’s contract. The teams disagree on which picks to include, with Toronto preferring 2027 or 2028 first-rounders and LA seeking two firsts, including a far-future pick if Shead isn’t involved. Toronto hasn’t moved Collin Murray-Boyles or Ja’Kobe Walter, and the Clippers aren’t being rushed—LA has offered a Leonard extension (not the max), a figure Toronto is more willing to meet, keeping the deal unsettled for now.
Raptors-Clippers trade discussions for Kawhi Leonard are gaining serious momentum with a potential reunion in Toronto, while the Clippers aren’t pursuing Jaylen Brown this offseason. Russell Westbrook has drawn interest from the Wizards, and the Kings aim to re-sign Precious Achiuwa and add Daeqwon Plowden. The Lakers are expected to meet with Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren amid a broader RFAs/free-agent backdrop, with other rumors tying in players like Sandro Mamukelashvili and Peyton Watson to various teams. Meanwhile, the Magic are set to re-sign Jonathan Isaac, Norman Powell remains a possible Bulls target, and Kuminga/Beal/Middleton chatter continues to percolate across several franchises.
Clippers selected Narcisse Ngoy with the 57th pick, but the 7'0" French prospect announced on Instagram that he will honor his Auburn commitment and play for the Tigers in the 2026–27 season, effectively making this a draft-and-stash situation as he develops in college under Auburn coach Steven Pearl.
Round 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft: Hawks land UNC center Henri Veesaar with No. 52 from the Clippers; Clippers send No. 55 (Nick Martinelli) to Houston and No. 57 (Narcisse Ngoy) to Atlanta plus cash; Rockets receive cash from LAC; the move comes as Atlanta rebuilds after Trae Young's deadline deal.
Clippers are expected to keep the No. 5 pick and choose between Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown, while Brooklyn pursues Ament and could maneuver in or around the 8–12 range. The Pelicans are trying to jump into the lottery for Trey Murphy III and would target Ament or Cameron Carr if they land a top pick. Dallas has been shopping Daniel Gafford and the No. 30 pick to move into the top 20, eyeing Carr, Labaron Philon, and Hannes Steinbach, with OKC also showing interest in Ament if they move into the top 10; the Hawks are listening on Nos. 8 and 23, though No. 8 may stay put. The chatter centers on Ament, Wagler, Brown, and Murphy as the draft’s biggest talking points.
With the top four teams locked into picks for AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson, the focus shifts to No. 5 and beyond. The Clippers are believed to keep the No. 5 pick, potentially targeting Keaton Wagler or Mikel Brown Jr. rather than a trade, while Oklahoma City is eyeing a move up using No. 12 (via LAC) and No. 17 (via Philly) to land a Michigan pair or Mara. The Warriors may trade down from No. 11 to add a second first-rounder, with Brayden Burries or Mara/Lendeborg/Johnson among the targets. Chicago also wants to climb for Mara, and Denver, Boston, and Minnesota are exploring moves up the back end of the first round, often tied to attaching players or future picks.
The NBA is investigating the Los Angeles Clippers over potential salary-cap circumvention to pay Kawhi Leonard, with Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, and owner Steve Ballmer among those interviewed. The probe, led by Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz, began in 2025 after reports about a no-show endorsement linked to the Aspiration company. While Leonard’s camp denies wrongdoing and some executives privately question the handling, Commissioner Adam Silver says the investigation will follow the facts and could be nearing a conclusion, though no timeline is given.
Indiana's front office watched the NBA Draft Lottery nervously after trading a 2026 first-round pick (protected 1-4 and 10-30) to the Clippers to land Ivica Zubac. The deal carried a 52.1% chance the Pacers would keep the pick, but the Clippers won the fifth slot, handing LA the top-5 selection while Indiana held disappointment. Pacers president Kevin Pritchard and GM Chad Buchanan publicly called the outcome disappointing but stressed the core remains strong and that Zubac could still pay off in time.
Washington won the No. 1 pick in a lottery that underscored the league’s tanking incentives, with Utah and Memphis also landing top-three spots as the night’s biggest beneficiaries. The Clippers secured the No. 5 pick via a deadline deal, potentially reshaping their offseason despite cap considerations, while Memphis contemplates a Morant-era pivot around a new centerpiece. Chicago jumped to No. 4 in a welcome stroke of luck, and New Orleans’ trades left them without two earlier targets, with Brooklyn and Sacramento at Nos. 6 and 7. The piece also notes looming debates over draft reform—limits on consecutive top picks and repeated top-five selections—and the ongoing question of draft pick arbitrage, as teams plot around a post-lottery landscape.
Golden State erased a first-half deficit in a Play-In showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers, powered by a second-half burst from Stephen Curry and key contributions from Gui Santos, a vintage rally that echoed the Warriors’ title runs as they completed the comeback.
Night two of the SoFi Play-In Tournament features the 76ers defeating the Magic 109-97 to lock up the East’s No. 7 seed behind Tyrese Maxey, followed by Golden State’s Stephen Curry returning for the Warriors in the nightcap against the Clippers as Kawhi Leonard’s team looks to close out the West 8 seed; the live blog provides play-by-play updates, stats, and previews for the two games.
Edwards’ clutch dagger after a moment where coach Chris Finch told him to pass sparked viral chatter, but both insist the exchange reflects a fiery, competitive dynamic they’ve built—not a feud. Edwards says he should have passed; Finch frames it as part of their relationship that drives strong play.
Edwards hit a stepback three over two defenders to put Minnesota ahead 92-88 with 43 seconds left, then yelled 'That's what I do!' at coach Chris Finch as the Timberwolves held on for a 94-88 win over a Kawhi Leonard- and John Collins-out Clippers; he finished with 31 points on 12-for-24, showcasing his clutch ability in a sloppy late game.