RealGM Basketball Wiretap

30 July 2025

• Clippers Waive Patrick Baldwin Jr. From Two-Way

  The Los Angeles Clippers have waived Patrick Baldwin Jr. from his Two-Way contract. The Clippers had to complete the transaction to sign Jordan Miller to his Two-Way deal.

  Baldwin appeared in 24 games with the Washington Wizards and Clippers last season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 4.4 minutes.

  In 23 G League games, Baldwin averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.0 minutes.

• Suns Preferred Marcus Smart Over Chris Paul Due To Coaching Staff Concerns

  The Phoenix Suns pursued Marcus Smart over the possibility of reuniting with Chris Paul this offseason. However, Smart eventually chose to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Paul ended up signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

  The Stein Line first reported on June 29 that the Suns and Clippers were the two most likely Paul destinations. Paul's departure from the San Antonio Spurs was expected after just one season with the team.

  Suns star Devin Booker favored bringing Paul back to Phoenix, sources said. The duo formed an effective partnership during the Suns' 2021 NBA Finals run before Paul was traded in 2023 as part of their package for Bradley Beal.

  Phoenix appeared to need a proven playmaker after losing Tyus Jones to Orlando in free agency. However, sources suggest the organization had concerns about Paul's leadership style meshing with first-time head coach Jordan Ott.

  After losing out on Smart to the Lakers, Phoenix made two cost-effective moves by claiming Jordan Goodwin off waivers and signing Jared Butler to a non-guaranteed contract. The organization questioned whether Paul's considerable voice and presence would integrate smoothly with the new coaching staff.

  Paul eventually signed a one-year, $3.6 million veteran minimum deal with the Clippers, returning to Los Angeles after eight years away from the franchise.

• Chris Paul Non-Committal About Retirement Timeline Upon Return To Clippers

  Chris Paul did not commit to retiring after the 2025-26 season during his official reintroduction with the LA Clippers on Monday. The 40-year-old point guard signed a one-year, $3.6 million veteran minimum contract after eight years away from the franchise.

  When addressing nearly 1,000 fans at Intuit Dome, Paul expressed his approach to the upcoming season without finalizing future plans.

  "I am approaching [the season] with a lot of excitement, not necessarily what's next. I'm just trying to be in it."

  Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers from 2011 until 2017 after his trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. He was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017 and has since played for five different teams.

  The future Hall of Famer cited family as his primary motivation for returning to Los Angeles. His wife Jada and children remained in LA while he played elsewhere over the past eight years.

  "It was a no-brainer. If I'm really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary," said Paul.

  Paul maintained communication with owner Steve Ballmer through his former role as players' union president. He reached out to Ballmer last summer for a personal tour of the new Intuit Dome before finalizing his return.

  Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists in 82 games for San Antonio last season. The Clippers' deep backcourt featuring James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Bogdan Bogdanovic will likely limit his minutes.

  "My role on this team is obviously different than it's been the past 20 years, being in the NBA, but showing up every day, if I can show some of the guys what it looks like every day to clock in and clock out, I'm excited for it."

• Jordan Miller, Clippers Agree To Two-Year Deal

  Jordan Miller and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a Two-Way deal.

  Miller appeared in 37 games last season with the Clippers, averaging 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.4 minutes.

  Miller also appeared in seven G League games, averaging 23.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.1 minutes.

  Miller was an All-Summer League First Team selection.

• TyTy Washington Jr., Clippers Agree To One-Year Deal

  TyTy Washington Jr. has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

  Washington appeared in 16 games with the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.0 assists in 7.4 minutes.

  Washington also appeared in 32 G League games, averaging 21.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 32.8 minutes.

  Washington was the 29th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Kentucky.

• Lawrence Frank Says Chris Paul Will Come Off Bench Next Season, Will Wear No. 3 Jersey

  Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank outlined Chris Paul's role heading into next season, saying that the point guard will mostly come off the bench.

  "There'll be nights Chris plays a lot, there'll be nights he does not... Chris started 82 games last year and was a very, very productive player. So we don't take that lightly when you're taking on a different role. And so there were a lot of conversations, you put everything on the table and get everyone comfortable with it," said Frank on Tuesday.

  Paul has started 1,314 out of 1,354 career games and also started all 82 games for the Spurs last season.

  Frank also said that he consulted with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard on signing Paul.

  "What James talked about with Chris was his ability to see the floor like few others, the leadership skills he brings, the competitiveness and his everyday work ethic and approach. He thought that Chris would be a great fit for the team," added Frank.

  Bradley Beal will give up the No. 3 jersey to Paul, who has worn the No. 3 jersey for the entirety of his 20-year playing career.

  Beal, who has also only worn the No. 3 jersey in his career, will decide on a new number later.

• Chris Paul, Clippers Agree To One-Year Deal

  Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a one-year deal, which is expected to be his final season in the NBA. Paul also received interest from the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets.

  Paul told "The Pat McAfee Show" in June that he was determined to play his 21st season near his family, who live in Los Angeles.

  The Clippers have also added a number of other veterans this offseason in Bradley Beal, John Collins and Brook Lopez.

  Paul previously played for the Clippers for six seasons between 2011-12 and 2016-17. Paul left for the Houston Rockets in 2017 in an opt-in-and-trade, which initiated the Clippers remaking their roster ahead of the 2019 offseason in which they traded for Paul George and signed Kawhi Leonard.

  Paul spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in all 82 games.

• Clippers 'Strongly Considering' Signing Chris Paul

  The Los Angeles Clippers have interest in signing Chris Paul after also adding Bradley Beal to their roster this week.

  "What I'd say about Chris is he's a great player," Lawrence Frank said when asked if the Clippers will sign Paul next. "He's a great Clipper. He obviously possesses some of the qualities we [are looking for]. And, of course, we're strongly, strongly considering him."

  Paul left the Clippers in 2017 in an opt-in-and-trade move to the Houston Rockets. Paul recently went on record indicating the 2025-26 season would be his final one in the NBA. Paul played in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season. Paul would like to play closer to his home in Los Angeles this season after playing for the Spurs.

  The Clippers could use another capable point guard to play behind James Harden, who was teammates with Paul for two successful but ultimately volatile season with the Houston Rockets.

• Bradley Beal's Decision To Leave Suns For Clippers 'About Basketball', Avoiding Another Lost Season

  When Jordan Ott was hired as head coach of the Phoenix Suns this offseason, he met with Bradley Beal to present him with some ideas on how he could be used during the upcoming season. Beal's usage rate dropped last season under Mike Budenholzer and he was moved to a bench role. Beal averaged 17 points per game and remained an efficient scorer, but his production no longer matched his salary of $113 million over the next two seasons.

  Beal decided he needed to move on from the Suns this offseason if the opportunity was presented.

  "We couldn't take the chance [of another lost year]," Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN. "This decision was about basketball. Bradley wants to play in big games and in big moments."

  The Suns further complicated Beal's future with the team when they acquired Jalen Green as part of their return for Kevin Durant. The Suns also held talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a deal built around Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo and Terrence Shannon Jr., which could have allowed Phoenix to prioritize keeping Beal.

  Shortly after the Suns moved forward with the Durant trade with the Rockets, they granted permission to Beal and Bartelstein to engage with other teams about a deal following his buyout.

  James Harden was critical in recruiting Beal to the Los Angeles Clippers, even speaking directly with Bartelstein. Harden discussed the Clippers' depth and also how the franchise embraced him following his own disappointing tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.

  The Suns tried to get Beal to leave more money on the table than the $13.9 million required to waive-and-stretch his contract. Sources tell ESPN that the negotiations got heated, but Beal ultimately didn't give up a penny more than what was required for the stretch provision to be used.

  "There were some intense conversations," Mark Bartelstein said.

• James Harden Was 'Focal Point' In Recruiting Bradley Beal To Clippers

  James Harden played a central role in recruiting Bradley Beal to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

  "I'm told James Harden was a focal point in recruiting Bradley Beal internally but also speaking directly to Beal and his camp," said Charania. "The Clippers really view Bradley Beal as a perfect fit alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden."

  Beal signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers, which includes a player option for the second year.

  Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 53 games last year.

  Beal gave up almost $14 million to buy out his contract from the Suns, added Charania.