The Clippers could do more than add a scorer if D’Angelo Russell becomes available this offseason.
According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, Russell - a former All-Star who was recently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies - is expected to be on the move again, either through a trade or a buyout. Iko reported that “The Memphis Grizzlies and veteran guard D’Angelo Russell are expected to work towards parting ways - either via buyout or trade - this offseason, sources tell @YahooSports.”
Even without a reported list of suitors, the Clippers should be paying attention. Russell can still give a team instant offense off the bench, and that alone has value. But the bigger appeal is what he could mean for Keaton Wagler, who would benefit from having a seasoned guard around him.
Russell’s case goes beyond numbers and shot-making. He’s been around the league for more than a decade, has played for five different teams, and has handled a wide range of roles. He’s been asked to carry offense as a primary option and has also adapted to coming off the bench and producing in a supporting role.
That kind of presence matters for a young guard trying to grow into his best self. The article points to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s early years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, when Chris Paul helped show him the ropes, as an example of how valuable veteran guidance can be. For Wagler, the logic is the same: having an experienced voice nearby could help him take the right steps over time.
Russell still has his defensive limitations, but he remains a guard who can pressure the rim, find his spots in the mid-range, and knock down shots from deep. That makes him a useful bench scorer on its own.
And if the Clippers can get him on the veteran minimum after a buyout, the fit becomes even more appealing. In a youth-centered environment where he could help on and off the court, Russell would bring both production and mentorship - a combination that could matter a lot for a team prioritizing Wagler’s development.
In Other News...
Clippers Just Got The Last Laugh In Cleveland's Deadline Gamble
The Cavaliers deadline swing has only gotten harder to justify from the outside. Cleveland moved Darius Garland and a second-round pick to land James Harden in February, a bold all-in bet that was supposed to reshape the roster immediately and keep the franchise in the mix for bigger ambitions down the road.
Instead, the move has left the Cavs carrying a major financial commitment to Harden without a long-term resolution in place, while Garlands exit has become part of the wider fallout around the teams future. Brian Windhorst reported that the guards departure carried real weight beyond the box score, a reminder that deadline decisions can ripple well past one season and into the next round of roster building. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Just Saw A Needed Wing Solution Get More Complicated
The Clippers have been hunting for wing help, and Cam Johnson had looked like the kind of name that could fit both the roster and the market. A 30-year-old with a contract that could have made financial sense for Denver, Johnson offered a plausible path for a team trying to add size and shooting without overcomplicating the rest of its offseason.
Now that path is less clear. Johnsons production last season was solid enough to keep him on the radar, but his postseason struggles and the way Denver has handled trade interest have pushed the Clippers back toward the drawing board. If they are going to upgrade on the wing, they may have to pivot quickly and sort through a list of alternatives that does not offer many easy answers. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers May Be Pivoting To A Different Young Wing Target
The Clippers have spent much of the offseason looking for a young wing who can fit alongside their established playmakers, and Peyton Watson had been the name to watch for a while. Now Jonathan Kuminga has moved into that conversation, with the team reportedly exploring a sign-and-trade path that would bring in a different kind of athleticism and upside for a roster still trying to balance present-day contention with long-term flexibility.
Kumingas appeal is pretty clear from the Clippers side: he brings the kind of physical tools and developmental runway that can matter on a team trying to stay competitive without getting stale. His recent run with the Atlanta Hawks only adds to the intrigue, since it gives front offices another look at how he can function in a bigger role, and it leaves the Clippers weighing whether he is the better young wing bet as they continue sorting through their options. [Read more 🡒]