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Kawhi Leonard Shams: NBA dishes out punishments to Kawhi, LAC
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 10:38 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the NBA will strip the Clippers of five first-round picks, fine owner Steve Ballmer $30 million and issue suspensions for Ballmer, Lawrence Frank and Gillian Rucker as a result of the Kawhi Leonard cap circumvention investigation.
Analysis: Leonard will reportedly also have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits by the Clippers for his uncle and former business representative Dennis Robertson, who has also been banned from all business dealings in the NBA. Both Ballmer and Rucker have been suspended for a year, while Frank's suspension is for six months. The picks the Clippers will lose are from 2029-2033, though they have a few extra picks during that stretch from the Kawhi and Ivica Zubac trades. The Leonard trade should officially go through now that the investigation is complete. |
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Jordan Miller Jordan Miller undergoes shoulder surgery
Wed, Aug 26, 2026, 1:03 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Jordan Miller underwent surgery on a torn left rotator cuff and will be reevaluated in six months.
Analysis: Miller's injury could mean additional run for Keaton Wagler and Kris Dunn, though the pair will compete with Gradey Dick, Bradley Beal and Darius Garland for minutes. |
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Bennedict Mathurin Report: Pelicans remain interested in Mathurin
Wed, Aug 26, 2026, 3:37 AM
Bleacher Report
NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that the Pelicans remain the one âaggressive suitorâ for restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin.
Analysis: Like Detroit's Jalen Duren, Mathurin's status as a restricted free agent has made the task of landing a contract a challenging one. Few teams have the cap space to make the former lottery pick an attractive offer, and the Clippers also have to factor in the Kawhi Leonard trade, which the Raptors paused while the NBA investigates his contract. According to Fischer, the Pelicans remain interested in adding Mathurin via sign-and-trade. However, with more players becoming trade-eligible in September, that may have to wait. Another option for Mathurin is to accept the Clippers' qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. |
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Darius Garland Darius Garland (toe) says he's fully recovered
Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 4:33 AM
Cyro Asseo
Darius Garland says he's fully recovered from the toe injury that plagued him over the last two seasons.
Analysis: In an interview with Cyro Asseo, Garland revealed that he had torn ligaments in his foot but is now fully healthy after a full offseason of recovery. He should play a significant role for the new-look Clippers and, if his health holds, remain a strong fantasy option as one of the team's primary playmakers. |
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Max Strus Max Strus rerouted to Clippers in Watson trade
Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:40 PM
Shams Charania
Max Strus has been traded to the Clippers as part of the three-team deal that sent Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Strus will get a fresh start after three seasons in Cleveland. His defense and floor spacing should help make an immediate impact for the Clippers as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Strus could start alongside Darius Garland, but his presence in a crowded backcourt will make the rotation difficult to project. Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin (RFA) and Gradey Dick all stand to lose out on minutes with Strus on the squad. |
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Bradley Beal Shams: Bradley Beal, Clippers agree to 2-year deal
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 2:36 PM
ESPN
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Bradley Beal and the Clippers have agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million contract.
Analysis: After a rough 2025-26 season in which he was limited to six games due to injury, Beal opted out of the second year of his deal to become an unrestricted free agent. While there was reportedly interest from the Heat, the veteran guard has decided to remain with the Clippers on a two-year deal. If healthy, Beal can offer excellent value to managers in points leagues. However, availability has been an issue, with the 33-year-old guard having last played at least 60 games in a season in 2020-21. |
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Bradley Beal Stein: Clippers return for Beal not ruled out
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:22 AM
The Stein Line
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that a return to the Clippers has not been ruled out for Bradley Beal.
Analysis: Beal's first season with the Clippers did not go as planned, as he appeared in just six games before a fractured hip required season-ending surgery. The veteran guard opted out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, and he's yet to find a new home. Miami has been mentioned as a possible destination for Beal, but various reports have the team's priority being Dallas wing Klay Thompson. The Clippers are in a state of flux right now because Toronto has put the Kawhi Leonard trade on hold while the NBA continues its investigation into the contract he and Los Angeles agreed to years ago. While a healthy Beal can offer tangible fantasy value, his inability to stay healthy in recent years makes him a risky draft pick in standard leagues. |
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Kawhi Leonard Fischer: Kawhi Leonard expects to be with Toronto
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 4:24 AM
Marc Stein Substack
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Kawhi Leonard expects his trade to the Raptors to be finalized in time for training camp.
Analysis: Leonard was traded to Toronto in late June, with the Clippers receiving Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and future draft capital. However, the ongoing investigation into Leonard's Clippers contract led the Raptors to pause the deal, as potential penalties could affect Toronto. Despite new information about an undisclosed sponsorship with Daktronics reported by Pablo Torre, Leonard is going through his offseason expecting to be a Raptor by the time training camp opens in late September. When available, Leonard is one of the best players to have rostered in fantasy basketball. However, the injury history combined with this investigation will give managers something to think about at draft time. |
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Kawhi Leonard Report: Probe into LAC, Kawhi could go into 2027
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 11:13 AM
ESPN
According to ESPN's Baxter Holmes, the NBA's investigation into the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard could go into 2027.
Analysis: The Clippers agreed with the Raptors on a trade that would send Leonard back to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft compensation. However, due to the investigation into the contract that the Clippers signed Leonard to, that transaction is on hold. And with Wednesday's report, it's fair to wonder if the trade will ever get done, as a potential penalty would be to void Leonard's contract, making him a free agent. Also, Toronto would assume the penalties if they were to acquire Leonard before a ruling was made, hence the decision to delay the trade. |
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Bennedict Mathurin Stein: Bulls interested in Bennedict Mathurin
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, 5:00 AM
Marc Stein
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Bulls are one of the teams interested in restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin.
Analysis: While Mathurin has yet to find a home after hitting restricted free agency, teams have expressed interest in the former lottery pick. In addition to the Pelicans, the Bulls have reportedly joined the pursuit. While Chicago added Norman Powell in free agency and selected Caleb Wilson in the draft, adding another wing scorer like Mathurin to the mix could give their offense a boost. However, the Bulls would likely need to free up cap space to make an offer that the Clippers would refuse to match to land Mathurin. For most of his NBA career, Mathurin has been a better option for points leagues than category leagues. |
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Xavier Cooks Keaton Wagler posts 16 points, four assists
Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 6:38 PM
Keaton Wagler finished Tuesday's loss to the Lakers with 16 points (6-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, four assists and one three-pointer.
Analysis: Wagler shot 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in Tuesday's defeat, which dented his overall field-goal percentage. However, the rookie committed just one turnover and appeared more at ease than in his summer league debut on Thursday. Wagler's size and playmaking ability may add a dimension to the Clippers' backcourt that was missing last season, as Darius Garland and Kris Dunn are smaller guards. With the Kawhi Leonard trade on hold, it's still unclear what the roster will look like when training camp opens. Regardless of what happens, Wagler's development will be critical for the Clippers moving forward. |
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Xavier Cooks Nick Martinelli scores 11 points in SL debut
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 7:34 PM
Nick Martinelli finished with 11 points (2-of-7 FGs, 4-of-7 FTs), five rebounds and two assists against the Kings on Thursday.
Analysis: Martinelli didn't start in his first summer league game, but he ended up playing 22 minutes off the bench. He was able to contribute some buckets and made some hustle plays. Martinelli was the 55th pick in the draft last month, and while he should get more opportunities this summer, it is unlikely to carry over into a large role next season for the Clippers. |
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Xavier Cooks Baba Miller scores 12 points, swats three shots
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 7:32 PM
Baba Miller contributed 12 points (3-of-4 FGs), five rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one three-pointer against the Kings on Thursday.
Analysis: Miller stuffed the stat sheet in college, and the only limitation was his lack of a deep-range shot. However, he knocked down his only three-point attempt in this game and made three of his four free throws. Low volume doesn't mean much, but it was nice to see him hit some jumpers. Of course, the shot-blocking was still there, and if he is a rotation player in year one, that is an area he may be able to contribute in for fantasy managers. |
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Xavier Cooks Keaton Wagler held to seven points vs. Kings
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 7:30 PM
Keaton Wagler finished with seven points (1-of-7 FGs), two rebounds, one assist and one three-pointer in a 91-85 loss to the Kings on Thursday
Analysis: Wagler's first game as a Clipper was certainly disappointing. The physicality clearly impacted him and prevented him from getting to his spots. That was a big part of his game in college and was why the Clippers took him with the No. 5 overall pick. There's no reason to sound the alarms yet, but he is certainly going to have to get stronger to have success in the NBA. He'll look to bounce back against the Jazz on Sunday. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura inks two-year deal with Clippers
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 5:42 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers.
Analysis: According to Charania, the Lakers didn't cooperate on a potential sign-and-trade, so Hachimura took his talents across town to Inglewood. The Clippers have Derrick Jones Jr. and limited depth at PF, so Hachimura should be an immediate starter. In three full seasons with the Lakers, Hachimura averaged 12 points and 4.2 rebounds while knocking down 42.6% of his three-point attempts. |
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Jordan Miller Jordan Miller signs three-year deal with Clippers
Fri, Jul 3, 2026, 9:35 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Jordan Miller has signed a three-year, $15.3 million deal with the Clippers.
Analysis: Miller entered restricted free agency this summer but opted to return to the Clippers for another three seasons. They selected him with the 48th pick in 2023, and after playing sparingly through his first two seasons, he took on a much larger role for the Clippers over the final three months of last year. With Keaton Wagler, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick now in town, Miller's role may look smaller than it did down the stretch of last season. |
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Bogdan Bogdanovic Shams: Houston to sign Bogdan Bogdanovi? to deal
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 6:11 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Rockets have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran Bogdan Bogdanovi?.
Analysis: The deal to bring in Bogdanovic gives Houston more floor spacing around its top offensive players. The veteran wing dealt with injuries throughout the 2025-26 season with the Clippers, which left him on the outskirts of the nightly rotation for chunks of the season and decreased overall production. However, he's a proven shooter and secondary ball handler, which should be beneficial for Houston if he can round back into form. He is not expected to have much fantasy value during the 2026-27 season. |
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Gradey Dick Report: Gradey Dick traded to Clippers
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 9:57 AM
Shams Charania
The Clippers have reportedly acquired Gradey Dick, Brandon Ingram, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks from the Raptors for Kawhi Leonard.
Analysis: The 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Gradey had an uneven three seasons in Toronto. The 2024-25 campaign was his best, but it was a season when injuries decimated the Raptors. As part of a healthier rotation in 2025-26, Gradey averaged 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.0 minutes. While a capable shooter, he goes to a situation in Los Angeles in which consistent rotation minutes may be challenging to come by. Gradey is worth holding onto in dynasty leagues, but redraft league managers may want to look elsewhere for late-round value. |
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Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram sent to Clippers in Kawhi trade
Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 9:57 AM
Shams Charania
The Raptors sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks to the Clippers in exchange for Kawhi Leonard.
Analysis: While Ingram had an excellent first season in Toronto, the Raptors did not hesitate to reunite with Kawhi Leonard when the opportunity presented itself. He appeared in 77 regular-season games for the Raptors, the most since his rookie season, posting averages of 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 three-pointers while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line. Ingram does not offer the same all-around skill set as Leonard, but he'll slot into the spot within the Clippers' starting lineup. As long as he's available, Ingram can approach top-50 fantasy value, but the injury history usually pushes his ADP down a round. |
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Bradley Beal Report: Bradley Beal to opt out of contract
Mon, Jun 29, 2026, 9:44 AM
Chris Haynes
NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that Bradley Beal has opted out of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent.
Analysis: Beal has struggled to remain healthy in recent years, having appeared in 60 games just once in his last seven seasons. The 2025-26 campaign was the low point, as knee and hip injuries limited him to six games, with the latter requiring season-ending surgery. Had Beal exercised his player option to remain with the Clippers, he would have received a contract worth $5.26 million. Instead, he'll hit unrestricted free agency. At his best, he's capable of offering excellent fantasy value. However, due to the injuries, Beal is not a trustworthy option for fantasy managers. |
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