RealGM Basketball Wiretap

08 February 2026

• Clippers Convert Kobe Sanders To Standard NBA Contract

  The Los Angeles Clippers are converting Kobe Sanders from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, sources told Chris Haynes.

  The contract includes a team option for next season.

  Sanders, who was selected with the No. 50 pick in the 2025 draft, is averaging 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds on the year.

• Clippers Never Had 'Serious' Discussions Over Trading Kawhi Leonard; Leonard To Assess Situation This Summer

  The Los Angeles Clippers never engaged in any serious discussions over trading Kawhi Leonard, sources told Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime.

  "Teams were calling and trying to see if they could pry Kawhi away, but I was told that the Clippers never reached a point where anything was serious," according to Haynes.

  Haynes added that Leonard is also taking a wait-and-see approach to signing a contract extension.

  Leonard's contract runs through the 2026-27 season.

  "I was told from Kawhi's camp that they are not in any rush to initiate extension talks... Kawhi's focus is on finishing this season strong and in the summer, they will assess where things stand," added Haynes.

  Leonard is averaging 27.7 points and 6.2 rebounds this season.

• Dalano Banton, Clippers Agree To 10-Day Contract

  The Los Angeles Clippers signed Dalano Banton to a 10-day contract, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The 26-year-old averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 assists last year with the Blazers.

  The Clippers made several moves at the trade deadline, including acquiring Darius Garland from the Cavs and trading Ivica Zubac to the Pacers.

• Ivica Zubac Playing Through Ankle Injury, Out Until He's 'Really Ready'

  Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said that newly-acquired center Ivica Zubac has been dealing with an ankle injury and won't play until he's fully healthy.

  "It's kind of yo-yo'd a little bit," Carlisle said on Friday. "My understanding from talking to him is that there's still something there that's not quite right. We're not going to put him out there until he's really ready."

  The Pacers acquired Zubac and Kobe Brown on Thursday.

  Zubac, who is currently on paternity leave, has played in 43 games this season.

  "He's a guy that has played 94 or 95 percent of his games through his career and I'm presuming that's because he's always raring to go through things," Carlisle said. "That's not going to be an option here."

  The Pacers have the second-worst record in the league at 13-39.

• James Harden's Contract Dispute, Rejected Rockets Return Led To Cavaliers Trade

  James Harden pursued a reunion with the Houston Rockets for the second time in almost three years before accepting a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told ESPN. The 36-year-old's interest in returning to his former team was rebuffed, leading to his eventual departure from the Los Angeles Clippers

  Harden's representatives gauged interest from potential destinations as the LA Clippers struggled this season. The 11-time All-Star wanted to reunite with Houston, a natural fit after point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the season. The Rockets showed little interest in their former MVP, which marks Harden's second unsuccessful attempt to rejoin Houston. He hoped to return to the Rockets in 2023 before they hired Ime Udoka as head coach and changed course by signing VanVleet.

  The genesis of Harden's exit stemmed from contract disappointment during the offseason. Los Angeles told Harden it felt uncomfortable guaranteeing him more than the $39.2 million he earned this season because of his age and the team's preference for financial flexibility.

  Harden felt he deserved an extension similar to the two-year, $111 million deal the Golden State Warriors gave Jimmy Butler, who is the same age. Sources close to Harden say he believed he reestablished himself as an All-Star after averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds while earning third-team All-NBA honors.

  Still wanting to remain in his hometown, Harden accepted a contract in which only $13.8 million of the $42.3 million due in the second year would be guaranteed. The deal included a player option and trade veto rights as protection.

  The Clippers sputtered to a 6-21 record by Dec. 20, trailing only New Orleans and Washington in the standings. Teams around the league began calling about Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac as losses mounted.

  "It made sense for both sides," Harden told ESPN of the trade. "I didn't want to feel like I was holding the Clippers up in their future. I wanted them to actually have a chance to rebuild and get some draft capital."

  Cleveland emerged as the primary suitor. The Cavaliers were intrigued to see how Harden could elevate big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen while taking pressure off Donovan Mitchell.

  Discussions softened as the Clippers attempted to resurrect their season, winning 71 percent of games since Christmas Day. Reality eventually emerged for both franchises: Los Angeles couldn't sustain success, and Cleveland's roster wasn't built to contend.

  Talks escalated late last week as Thursday's deadline approached. Harden sat out games in Phoenix on Sunday and against Philadelphia on Monday as discussions intensified. He was listed as out for personal reasons, tipping off the league to his availability.

  Harden was spotted on the sideline at Arizona State as it hosted No. 1 Arizona on Sunday night, approximately 20 minutes from where his teammates played against the Suns.

  By Tuesday, Harden knew the trade would likely go through and decided not to veto it. He gave his goodbyes to staffers and players before leaving the facility.

  "In Cleveland, I see an opportunity to win in the East," Harden said. "They've got a very good team, coaching staff, all of the above. So, as much as I wanted to stay in L.A. and give it a go -- I've never won one before."

  Harden said he will always wonder what could have been in Los Angeles had Leonard and Paul George stayed healthy during the playoffs.

  "In life, not even just basketball, when things don't work out, there are ways to end things in relationships without having to crack each other," Harden said. "Maybe we just don't see a future together. Maybe we just outgrew each other."

  Los Angeles acquired Darius Garland, a 26-year-old two-time All-Star, and a second-round pick in return. The Cavaliers decided their championship window needed to open immediately.

• Pacers Acquire Ivica Zubac From Clippers For Bennedict Mathurin, Two First Round Picks

  The Indiana Pacers have acquired Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown from the Los Angeles Clippers in a package including Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first round picks and a second round picks. Indiana entered the trade deadline period wanting to upgrade at the center position ahead of Tyree Haliburton's return from his torn Achilles next season.

  The 2026 first rounder sent by the Pacers is protected 1-4 and 10-30. If the pick doesn't convey, the Pacers will send an unprotected 2031 first rounder. The other pick is an unprotected 2029 first rounder.

  Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season with his three-year, $58.6 million extension signed in 2024. Zubac is one of the more affordable quality centers in the NBA and is currently ranked 40th in RealGM's Player Value Index. Zubac is represented by Jared Mucha.

  Zubac is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.9 minutes across 43 games this season.

  The Pacers were also engaged with the Dallas Mavericks on a trade for Daniel Gafford.

  Mathurin, who is represented by Nima Namakian, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Mathurin is merging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.8 minutes in 28 games this season with the Pacers. Mathurin was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Arizona.

• Pacers Holding Trade Talks On Ivica Zubac, Daniel Gafford

  The Indiana Pacers continue to pursue a center ahead of the trade deadline with Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford targeted. The Pacers would like to acquire a center now to prepare their roster ahead of Tyrese Haliburton's return from a torn Achilles in 2026-27.

  Zubac remains highly valued by the Los Angeles Clippers and the team is holding a steep asking price. Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season with his three-year, $58.6 million extension signed in 2024. Zubac is one of the more affordable quality centers in the NBA.

  The Dallas Mavericks are maintaining an ask of a first round pick for Gafford, who signed a three-year, $54 million extension last July.

  The Pacers lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks last offseason.

• Clippers Receiving Interest For Ivica Zubac; Pacers Engaged In Discussions

  The Los Angeles Clippers are generating trade interest in center Ivica Zubac, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  The Pacers are reportedly one of the teams interested in adding Zubac.

  The Pacers, who are prime "pre-agency" candidates, have been linked with several centers throughout this season.

  Zubac was ruled out of Wednesday's game for personal reasons. The center is averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game this season.

• Chris Paul Traded By Clippers To Raptors; Ochai Agbaji To Nets In Tax Saving Deal

  The Toronto Raptors have agreed to acquire Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets will acquire Ochai Agbaji, a 2032 second rounder and cash. Paul will not report to the Raptors and could be traded to another team by the deadline.

  Paul was sent home by the Clippers in early December after it was clear he was no longer in their plans. Paul announced in November that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Paul has continued to work out in hopes of resuming his career.

  The Clippers create a roster spot and save $7 million in luxury tax with the maneuver. The Raptors get under the luxury tax by trading Agbaji into Brooklyn's space.

• Darius Garland 'Blessed' Trade To Clippers

  Darius Garland's representatives "blessed" his trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Clippers before the deal was completed, league sources confirmed. Garland is represented by Rich Paul and Lucas Newton. The 26-year-old guard has missed significant time with a toe injury but is expected to return to game action soon.

  Garland's camp blessed the move to Los Angeles despite the guard's general comfort in Cleveland. The two-time All-Star welcomed the fresh start with the Clippers after three-plus seasons alongside Donovan Mitchell.

  Multiple sources indicated Garland will rejoin the Clippers lineup in the near future. The former fifth overall pick has been sidelined since Jan. 14 due to lingering complications from toe surgery performed last offseason.

  Garland appeared in just 26 games this season for Cleveland. The injury required surgical intervention during the summer and has plagued him throughout the current campaign.

  League sources said both Garland and Mitchell harbored private reservations about their partnership despite consistent public support. Garland struggled adapting his playing style to accommodate Mitchell following the latter's arrival in 2022.

  "Both were leery of the possibilities," one source said.

  Garland blossomed into an All-Star during the 2021-22 season before Mitchell joined the franchise. Garland signed a five-year, $193 million extension with the Cavaliers during the 2022 offseason before Mitchell's arrival. The pairing created a backcourt with two guards standing 6-foot-3 or shorter, a configuration that has produced only three NBA championships in league history.

  Cleveland attached a second-round pick to complete the transaction. Garland's trade value declined significantly over the past two seasons, forcing the Cavaliers to include additional compensation.

  The Athletic previously reported that Garland's representatives might pursue a trade following Mitchell's commitment to Cleveland two years ago. Team president Koby Altman resisted those overtures at the time. Garland is signed through the 2027-28 season.