The Clippers’ future with Kawhi Leonard keeps circling back to Toronto, and that conversation is not going away anytime soon.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line report that the Raptors remain a real possibility if Los Angeles decides to move the two-time Finals MVP. Dallas has also shown interest, but the Mavericks are not considered a realistic destination at this point.
One reason Toronto keeps coming up is Leonard’s reported willingness to sign an extension there. Stein and Fischer also note that Clippers officials are believed to have interest in Brandon Ingram, a move that could help them stay competitive while getting younger.
Los Angeles is not locked into one path, either. League sources told Stein and Fischer that the Clippers have not ruled out creating cap space this offseason, and they are also still open to bringing back free-agent forward John Collins.
In Houston, the Marcus Smart pursuit is picking up steam. After the Rockets were first tied to the former Defensive Player of the Year earlier this weekend, Stein and Fischer now say the interest is “only sounding more serious.” Dan Woike of The Athletic is hearing the same kind of buzz, with the expectation that Houston could offer Smart a three-year deal after he declines his player option.
The Kings are also lurking in the center market. Stein and Fischer report that Sacramento would like to join the Lakers and Nets in the Mitchell Robinson chase, though the financial piece is the obstacle. Right now, the Kings are projected to be above the first tax apron, so they would likely need additional moves before making a competitive bid.
Orlando, meanwhile, appears ready to keep Robinson. Stein and Fischer report the Magic plan to retain him, in large part because the team is preparing for the chance of losing Moritz Wagner in free agency.
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Clippers Just Sent A Brutal Message About Bogdan Bogdanovic
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What makes the situation worth watching is that the delay is not a pause in business, it is part of the business. The Clippers are expected to keep exploring trade possibilities, and Bogdanovics expiring deal and shooting touch make him an appealing piece for teams looking for scoring help. There will be no shortage of interest if LA moves him, and the next step in this process will say a lot about how the front office views the rest of its summer plans. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Eye A Young Defensive Fit With One Massive Catch
The Clippers have been working the margins of their offseason financial puzzle, and one of the clearest signs came with the decision to push back Bogdan Bogdanovis player option deadline until Monday. That move opened a wider weekend window for roster maneuvering, giving the front office a little more breathing room as it looks for ways to create cap space and stay active in a market where Denver has already shown it is willing to be creative.
Peyton Watson fits the kind of young, defensive-minded swing the Clippers tend to value, but prying him loose is a different matter. Denver has signaled a strong commitment to keeping him unless an offer sheet gets into a range that changes the equation, and the Nuggets are also exploring ways to balance their own financial pressure, including possible trade packages built around Zeke Nnaji and the No. 26 pick. For the Clippers, it leaves a familiar offseason choice: keep digging for a way to get in the mix, or watch a useful target remain just out of reach. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Linked To Intriguing Young Wing Despite One Familiar Problem
The Clippers keep showing interest in adding length and two-way upside, and Peyton Watson has emerged as one of the more intriguing young wings on their radar. A report from Jake Fischer notes that Los Angeles would have to make specific roster moves to open up the salary-cap room to chase him, but the appeal is easy to see for a team that always seems to be searching for more athleticism and defensive versatility on the wing.
Watsons breakout season gave Denver plenty of reasons to want him back, and his ability to help on both ends only adds to the market around him. The catch is the familiar one for the Clippers: even when the target makes sense, the path to getting there is rarely simple, and this one may hinge on how creative they can get before the market starts moving. [Read more 🡒]