While many have focused on the departures of Paul George and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers have quietly added key defensive pieces in Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. These additions, while not as flashy, could make the team better …
While many have focused on the departures of Paul George and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers have quietly added key defensive pieces in Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn. These additions, while not as flashy, could make the team better overall, as they focus on balance and fit rather than pure talent.
With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden anchoring the offense, the Clippers still have two elite scoring options. What’s different now is that they’ll be surrounded by versatile, defense-minded role players who complement their skill sets. The team may be less star-studded than last year, but the pieces could fit better, particularly under head coach Tyronn Lue’s nine-man rotation system, which emphasizes staggering stars and maximizing player roles.
Leonard and Harden will continue to lead the way, but with players like Jones stepping into a starting role and Dunn filling the backup point guard position, the Clippers have a deeper, more defensively sound team. Additionally, the team’s flexibility with Harden’s two-year deal ensures they remain competitive now while maintaining future cap room.
DJ Rodman is likely going to play G League basketball this coming season.
Former USC Trojan DJ Rodman, son of Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, was signed earlier in July by the Los Angeles Clippers to finish out the NBA summer league.
Dennis Rodman last played in the NBA in 2000 for the Dallas Mavericks. He was a two-time champion with the Detroit Pistons, three times with the Chicago Bulls. He also played with the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers.
DJ Rodman began his collegiate career with the Washington State Cougars and then transferred to the USC Trojans, where he played the 2023-2024 season. After his brief stint with the Trojans, he earned a spot in the NBA summer league with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In 143 college games, he averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one assist. His best season was 2022-2023, when he had 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while playing for the Washington State Cougars.
Rodman did not get extended playing time with the Clippers in the summer league. He simply isn’t at the top of the team’s list of primary options. He did not make the big imprint he was hoping for. The G League might be where he will play in the coming basketball season.
Gooood morning, folks! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for rocking with us today. Hope you had a fantastic weekend.
Can anyone explain exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers’ plan for free agency is here? Because I’m not even sure they know at this point.
Paul George decided to sign a 4-year, $212 million deal with the 76ers while you were sleeping, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The Clippers big three is now officially down to an unintimidating two featuring James Harden (who never seems to come through in the playoffs) and Kawhi Leonard (who never seems to play in the playoffs anymore).
It’s not even just that he decided to sign in Philly that makes the Clippers losers. It’s that he decided not to sign with the Clippers. That just feels like the most Clippers thing ever to me.
Just think about the situation. George and the Clippers have been negotiating for months. We’ve all known there was a strong possibility that George would leave LA. The rumors have been circulating for months now. But now, here the Clippers are, losing George for absolutely nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
It’s not like the Clippers didn’t have deals on the table. The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami reported that the Warriors offered half of their starting lineup plus Chris Paul and a first-round draft pick for George. The Clippers declined, well, here we are now. They’ve got nothing.
And, remember, the Clippers gave up everything for George.
L.A. moved future MVP candidate Shai Gilgeious-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a boatload of draft picks, including one that wound up being Jalen Williams. It’s safe to say the Thunder have officially won that trade now.
Clippers fans should fondly remember the Paul George era—it’s undoubtedly the best the franchise has ever had. Four playoff appearances in five years and a Western Conference Finals berth aren’t bad, but they’re not what L.A. set out to do.
But, man. They went through all of that for what amounts to nothing. Clippers gon’ Clip. Always.
Sam Reinhart is back
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of free agency, Sam Reinhart has to feel like the man in Miami right now.
He scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the second period against Edmonton in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Now, a week later, and the man is paid.
Reinhart signed an 8-year, $69 million deal with the Panthers to remain with the franchise through the rest of his prime, ESPN reports.
That’s a sweet deal for the Panthers. You could argue it’s a steal, considering his production. Reinhart scored a franchise record 57 goals last year, including the first one of the season. He tacked in another 10 in the playoffs and got the last goal of the season, too. That one was for the Cup.
The Panthers got that guy locked in for $8.5 million annually. That’s less than what the Panthers are paying Aleksander Barkov ($10 million AAV).
Way to get it done, Florida.
Diana Taurasi said nice things!
And y’all said Diana Taurasi was just a hater. Obviously, she’s had some fairly stern things to say about Caitlin Clark. But after seeing the Fever play the Sun on Sunday, it’s pretty clear she’s got love for the rookie, too.
The two shared some pretty cool moments during the game and Taurasi even said nice words after! Do you know how hard it is to get Diana Taurasi to say nice words, folks?!?
Diana Taurasi when asked about Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball:
"It's amazing. What Caitlin's been able to do in her short career so far has been nothing short of remarkable. The one thing that I really love about her … she's put the work in. Even throughout her… pic.twitter.com/LolH8ioDjS
“It’s amazing. What Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far has been nothing short of remarkable. The one thing that I really love about her, she loves the game. You can tell she’s put the work in. Even throughout her short WNBA career, there’s been a lot of pressure. A lot of things thrown at here. She keeps getting better every single game. Her future is super bright.”
Alright. The beef talk is buried. This was super nice of DT. What a great moment. What a great game.
Quick hits: How the Clippers lost PG … Why you shouldn’t believe in England … and more
The four-time champion is reportedly planning on having discussions with four teams at the start of free agency.
All signs point to the end of the legendary Klay Thompson era with the Golden State Warriors.
Multiple reports have indicated that Thompson and the Warriors are set to part ways this summer after 13 years and four championships. The veteran sharpshooter is rumored to suit up in a new uniform for the first time in his career.
Shortly after the NBA’s free agency window opened on Sunday, Thompson is reportedly planning to have discussions with four teams. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Thompson is planning to have discussions with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting Thompson and the Warriors are exploring different sign-and-trade options. If the Warriors and Thompson’s preferred destination can agree to a sign and trade, Golden State could potentially acquire players or draft compensation.
After 13 iconic seasons together, sources say Klay Thompson is departing the Warriors and the sides will begin to work through sign-and-trade options — discussing now on @Stadium Free Agency Special: https://t.co/UzzmWYSvJk
In his final season with the Warriors, Thompson averaged 17.9 points on 43.2% shooting from the floor and 38.7% from beyond the arc to go along with 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.7 minutes per game.
A trio of teams have reportedly emerged as strong suitors for Klay Thompson in free agency.
After 13 season, Klay Thompson’s time as a member of the Golden State Warriors appears to be coming to an end. On Sunday when the four-time NBA champ is set to become a free agent, the Warriors and Thompson are reportedly bracing for the end of an era.
As the Warriors and Thompson reportedly prepare to part ways, teams are beginning to emerge as suitors for the former All-Star guard. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are expected to be “strong suitors” for Thompson.
While the Lakers, Clippers and Mavericks are reportedly strong suitors, other teams with salary cap space are expected to show interest in Thompson as well, per Charania.
The Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are expected to be among strong suitors for Thompson, according to league sources. Multiple teams with salary cap space are expected to show interest in Thompson as well.
Klay Thompson and the Warriors are braced for the end of an era.
Three teams have emerged as strong suitors for Thompson, with Golden State open to sign-and-trade deals to aid in his earning potential elsewhere, sources said. Full story: https://t.co/Akkl8cSmnipic.twitter.com/5psPzkfT29
In 2023-24 Thompson played 77 games, averaging 17.9 points on 43.2% shooting from the floor and 38.7% from beyond the arc. For the first time in his career, Thompson came off the bench for the Warriors last season.
Free agency is set to begin at 3 p.m. PT on Sunday afternoon.
Klay Thompson and the Warriors are reportedly preparing to part ways.
The start of free agency on Sunday could mark the end of an era for the Golden State Warriors. As Klay Thompson is preparing to become on unrestricted free agent, the Warriors are reportedly bracing for the end of an era.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Warriors are preparing to lose Thompson in free agency. Thompson could be the first member of Golden State’s legendary trio, which also includes Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, to leave the franchise after winning four championships together in the Bay Area.
Klay Thompson and the Warriors are braced for the end of an era.
Three teams have emerged as strong suitors for Thompson, with Golden State open to sign-and-trade deals to aid in his earning potential elsewhere, sources said. Full story: https://t.co/Akkl8cSmnipic.twitter.com/5psPzkfT29
Since being drafted out of Washington State in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft, Thompson has spent his entire 11 career with the Warriors. During his campaign, Thompson has been responsible for a flurry of legendary moments on and off the court, including championships, All-Star games, signing toasters, barrages of 3-pointers and clutch performances in different playoff games.
During his 11-year run with the Warriors, Thompson averaged 19.6 points per game on 45.3% shooting from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc. Thompson is second to only behind Curry in Golden State’s franchise 3-point field goals. Thompson ranks in the top 10 of multiple categories of the franchise record books.
Thompson is coming off an up and down season in 2023-24 where he came off the bench for the first time in his career. Thompson played 77 games, averaging 17.9 points on 43.2% shooting from the field and 38.7% from deep.
Free agency is set to begin on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT.
The Clippers All-Star wing is reportedly set to hit free agency after declining his player-option.
In the early stages of free agency, Los Angeles Clippers All-Star wing Paul George has been continuously linked to the Golden State Warriors through different rumblings and rumors.
At the start of the summer, George was set to have a $48.7 million player option with the Clippers. If he opted in, there was a chance Golden State could be a destination for George via trade. However, if he opted out of his player option, George would be set to enter free agency.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, George declined his $48.7 million option on Saturday and will enter free agency. With George opting out, the chance of an opt-in and trade situation is gone, per Wojnarowski.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is declining his $48.7M option and entering free agency, sources tell ESPN. He’s planning to set meetings with cap space teams and the Clippers beginning Sunday night. An opt-in/trade scenario is now gone. pic.twitter.com/kASDp58eDD
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors have been under the impression they’re out of the George sweepstakes. If George opted in, the Warriors could’ve used different assets to acquire the Clippers star wing in a trade to take on his contract.
With George reportedly opting out, the Warriors will have to move forward with the start of free agency looming. On Sunday, June 30, NBA teams will be able to begin negotiating with free agents at 3 p.m. PT.
The Warriors continue to be one of the teams reportedly linked to Clippers All-Star Paul George.
With free agency quickly around the corner, one player who continues to be linked to the Golden State Warriors is Paul George. On Wednesday, Brian Windhost of ESPN, linked the Warriors to George’s upcoming sweepstakes.
According to Windhorst, the Warriors are one of the teams willing to sign George to a four-year max contract if they’re able to land the Los Angeles Clippers star wing in a trade at the start of free agency.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Windhorst said the Warriors are “big fish hunting.” The Warriors would like to be an option for George if he were to leave the Clippers, per Windhorst.
The Golden State Warriors are prepared to trade for Paul George and offer him a full four-year max contract, per @WindhorstESPN
“He wants a full out max and there are a number of teams out there, I am told, that are prepared to give it to him, who are prepared to trade for him.… pic.twitter.com/J1EHYGfqDo
George has until Saturday, June 29, to either opt into a $48 million player option with the Clippers or elect to enter unrestricted free agency.
The 34-year-old wing is coming off an All-Star campaign, averaging 22.6 points on 47.1% shooting from the field and 41.3% from deep with 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
The NBA trade deadline never lacks when it comes to the drama and intrigue surrounding it. There are always big names churning through the rumor mill — some truly in danger of being moved, others just being thrown out as smokescreens.
We’re mostly seeing the latter so far this year for the trade deadline.
There are lots of names being discussed so far as we inch closer and closer to the end here, but there doesn’t seem to be much action surrounding any of them.
With that being said, though, some teams have already made moves to improve their team on the fringes. Some teams have also already made some pretty splashy moves — they just took action a while ago.
With that in mind, here’s a running tracker for every trade we’ve seen so far ahead of the deadline. Come back here as the trades continue to flow in for a quick rundown.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Clippers’ unreal run to beat the Brooklyn Nets.
The Los Angeles Clippers did the impossible on Sunday afternoon. After being down 11 points with five minutes on the clock to the Brooklyn Nets, they went on a 22-0 run to win the game.
The Clippers are now 21-4 in their last 25 games of the season – the best record since December 1 in the league.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to their ridiculous comeback.
