RealGM Basketball Wiretap

26 August 2025

• Nine Teams Could Have Significant Cap Space During 2026 NBA Offseason

  There are nine teams who project to have significant cap space during the 2026 offseason. Cap space will be more readily available next offseason than it was in 2025 after a 10 percent increase in the cap for this season and a projected seven percent increase for 2026-27, combined with fewer veteran extensions this year.

  The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

  There were only three teams with salary cap space in 2025 in the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets used their cap space to take on Michael Porter Jr. via trade, while the Grizzlies used theirs to sign a renegotiate-and-extend contract with Jaren Jackson Jr. The Bucks unexpectedly created cap space by using the stretch-and-waive on Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner.

  From 2013-14 to 2019-20, the league went through a period with an average of 17 teams per year with cap space. Since then, the average has decreased to 5.1 teams.

  The 2026 free agent class is expected to include Trae Young and LeBron James.

• Jason Preston, Clippers Sign Training Camp Deal

  The LA Clippers and guard Jason Preston have signed a training camp deal. Preston will be a non-guaranteed contract, and will likely land with the San Diego Clippers of the G League after the preseason.

  Preston played for the Clippers in his first two NBA seasons. The 6-foot-3 guard also played for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.

• Clippers Sign Patrick Baldwin Jr, TyTy Washington Jr To Camp Deals

  The LA Clippers have signed wing Patrick Baldwin Jr. and guard TyTy Washington Jr. to training camp contract. Both Baldwin and Washington will go to camp with LA, then will likely join the San Diego Clippers of the G League.

  Baldwin played for both the Clippers and Washington Wizards last season. In 23 G League games, the 6-foot-9 wing averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

  Washington spent last season on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns. The 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 21.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 32 G League games.

• 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.