Once Kawhi Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors becomes official, the Clippers are set to land Brandon Ingram, one of the more underrated wings in the NBA. He’s a two-time All-Star with a reputation for scoring from every level of the half-court, which gives LA a real piece to work with.
But the bigger question is what comes next. Because the Clippers gave up five first-round picks for cap circumvention and need to rebuild their draft stock, the front office shouldn’t just settle in and enjoy what Ingram brings. Yossi Gozlan on the " Third Apron ” floated a move that makes sense on both sides: sending the 28-year-old to the Brooklyn Nets for one of the worst of their three 2027 first-round picks.
For the Clippers, that kind of deal would be all about accelerating the long game. They would add to their four first-rounders over the next seven years and also bring in a pick that could hold real value in a draft where their position includes a swap.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, is in a spot where this idea could be tempting. The Nets do have a promising core, with Mikel Brown Jr. among the young players they like, along with Egor Demin, Danny Wolf, and Noah Clowney. Brown Jr. was also on the Clippers’ radar during the draft process.
At the same time, the Nets are not completely buried. They already have Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle, and those two alone give them a base that could push them toward play-in contention in the Eastern Conference. Add Brandon Ingram to that mix, and Brooklyn suddenly has a big three that could sneak up on people and make some noise.
Even if it costs them a first-round pick, the Nets would still hold two more, which gives them room to keep building while also taking a swing at being relevant right away. That’s why this is the kind of trade they might not have to think about for long.
In Other News...
Kawhi Leonard Scandal Just Became A Serious Threat For The Clippers
Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into allegations that the Clippers arranged secret sponsorship contracts for Kawhi Leonard in an effort to get around the NBA salary cap, turning a long-running controversy into something far more serious for the franchise. The probe is being run by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Brooklyn and is still in its early stages, but it already adds a federal layer to a matter that had previously lived in the realm of league scrutiny and public suspicion.
No charges have been filed, and the case is still unfolding, but the stakes are obvious for a Clippers organization that has spent years trying to build around Leonard as the centerpiece. The investigation is looking at possible violations of federal law, including fraud and tax-related offenses, which means the team is now facing questions that go well beyond basketball and into the kind of legal territory that can shadow a franchise for a long time. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers May Have An Unexpected Path To A Young Center
The Clippers have spent plenty of time hunting for frontcourt answers, and Jalen Duren is suddenly the kind of name worth keeping on the radar. The Pistons center is still working through restricted free agency, and his situation has the kind of timing that could matter in Los Angeles if the team is looking to reshape its roster around a younger big man.
Duren and Detroit have until Oct. 1 to work out a new deal, and the longer this drags, the more interesting it gets for teams with future flexibility. If the Pistons center winds up taking a short-term path instead, the door could open for him to hit the market in a way that lines up with the Clippers and whatever cap space they are able to create next summer. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Could Get Another Shot At A First Round Guard
The Clippers offseason guard watch could take an interesting turn if Memphis trims its roster the way it may have to. The Grizzlies have only 15 spots available and may be forced to waive four players, a crunch that has put several names in play, including Walter Clayton Jr., Jordan Hawkins, DAngelo Russell and Kris Murray. Clayton Jr. has already made a strong impression as a rookie, and Jake Fischer floated the idea that if he becomes available, Los Angeles should look into bringing him in on a training camp deal.
It would not be the first time the Clippers had a reason to circle Clayton Jr. as a target. He was a first-round pick in 2025, and the draft board had him on Los Angeles radar earlier than where he ultimately landed. If Memphis decides to move on from him, the Clippers could get another crack at a guard they once had their eye on, with the only real question being whether the opportunity reaches them in time. [Read more 🡒]