RealGM Basketball Wiretap

30 December 2024

• Kawhi Leonard Targeting Jan. 4th For Season Debut

  Kawhi Leonard is targeting Jan. 4th for his regular season debut after missing the beginning of the campaign due to injury management on his surgically repaired right knee.

  The Clippers have been reluctant to provide a timetable for Leonard since holding him out of training camp drills in September.

  Leonard traveled on the Clippers' recent road trip to Dallas and participated in a team-sanctioned workout. Leonard has been practicing with the San Diego Clippers during the team's current road trip.

  Leonad first returned to practice in a limited capacity on Dec. 10.

• NBA Francises Collectively Worth $138 Billion, Average Of $4.6 Billion

  The Golden State Warriors have become the second most valuable franchise in sports at $9.14 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion. The Warriors are joined in the top-3 by the New York Knicks at $8.3 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers at $8.07 billion.

  Collectively, the NBA's 30 teams are worth $138 billion, including real estate held by owners and team-related businesses, such as WNBA franchises. The average NBA franchise valuation is now $4.6 billion and has a value-to-revenue multiple of 11.9, which is above all other leagues.

  The NBA has a significant drop off from the Lakers at No. 3 as they are worth 42 percent more than the Brooklyn Nets at No. 4 with a valuation of $5.7 billion.

  The 30 NBA teams generated an estimated $11.6 billion last year, or $387 million per club. The concert business has been a major revenue driver for NBA teams who own and control their own arena. The Lakers and Boston Celtics are the only teams in the top-10 who do not control their arena.

  2024 NBA Valuation Rankings
  1. Warriors: $9.14 billion
  2. Knicks: $8.3 billion
  3. Lakers: $8.07 billion
  4. Nets: $5.7 billion
  5. Clippers: $5.66 billion
  6. Celtics: $5.66 billion
  7. Bulls: $5.56 billion
  8. Heat: $5 billion
  9. Rockets: $4.77 billion
  10. Raptors: $4.66 billion
  11. Sixers: $4.57 billion
  12. Mavericks: $4.46 billion
  13. Suns: $4.32 billion
  14. Kings: $4.11 billion
  15. Hawks: $4.07 billion
  16. Nuggets: $4.06 billion
  17. Wizards: $3.98 billion
  18. Cavaliers: $3.95 billion
  19. Bucks: $3.91 billion
  20. Spurs: $3.79 billion
  21. Pacers: $3.74 billion
  22. Jazz: $3.67 billion
  23. Blazers: $3.6 billion
  24. Thunder: $3.55 billion
  25. Magic: $3.46 billion
  26. Pistons: $3.45 billion
  27. Hornets: $3.39 billion
  28. Timberwolves: $3.29 billion
  29. Pelicans: $3.09 billion
  30. Grizzlies: $3.06 billion

• Derrick Jones Jr. Suffers Hamstring Strain, Will Be Re-Evaluated In Two Weeks

  Derrick Jones Jr. was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain, the Los Angeles Clippers announced on Tuesday.

  Jones will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

  Jones is averaging 10.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 25.0 minutes.

  Kawhi Leonard could also return to the Clippers lineup in two weeks.

• Kawhi Leonard Could Return To Clippers Lineup In Two Weeks

  Kawhi Leonard practiced with the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time since last season on Tuesday.

  Leonard, who has been out this season due to inflammation in his right knee, could return to the Clippers lineup within two weeks.

  "He did offensive script, defensive work, and just no contact. But he did it pretty much everything else," said Ty Lue.

  Lue added that the team will remain patient with Leonard's return.

  "We just want to make sure he's 100%. We don't want to get him out there, 70%, 75%. Like, let's just take our time, make sure we get it right," said Lue.

• James Harden Dedicated Himself To Getting More Sleep

  James Harden and the LA Clippers have been one of the biggest surprises of the early season. The Clippers are 14-10 and in the top-six in the Western Conference. Harden has helped drive that good start, despite LA being without some of their best players.

  One key to that good start for Harden has been getting more sleep. Harden has reportedly committed to getting more sleep at night. While he's still going and having a good time, those long nights are no longer stretching into early mornings for Harden.

  The veteran star has also formed a bond with Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. Harden has also encouraged his teammates to get in the gym to work with him more.

• Terance Mann Out Three Weeks After Surgery For Fractured Finger

  LA Clippers wing Terance Mann will undergo surgery for a fractured left middle finger. Mann is expected to be out at least three weeks following the procedure. The veteran wing was injured in the Clippers win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

  Mann has had a down season for the Clippers this year. After shooting over 51% in each of the last two seasons, Mann has dropped to 44% this season, including a career-worst 34% from behind the arc. As a result, the 6-foot-5 wing's scoring has dropped off from 8.8 points per game to 6.3 points per game. Mann has vacillated between starting and coming off the bench for Ty Lue's surprising LA squad.

• Kawhi Leonard Progressing Well In Return From Knee Surgery

  LA Clippers coach Ty Lue gave a positive update on Kawhi Leonard before Friday's game in Minnesota. Leonard has missed the entire season to this point, as he's recovering from offseason knee surgery.

  "He's progressing well. He's been able to get on the court and do some things on the court, which is good for us," Lue said about Leonard. "So just still checking every box, making sure that he's doing the right things and his workouts are really good and making sure we don't let him get to the next step until he checks those boxes, so our medical staff has done a great job with that, making sure that we make sure he's 100% when he comes back."

  Leonard played in 68 games last season for the Clippers. The star forward put together a terrific all-around season. However, Leonard was limited to playing in just two of LA's playoff games, as they fell to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the first round.

• James Harden Says Clippers Are 'All Happy For Each Other'

  James Harden didn't dwell on the past as the LA Clippers won at the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead, Harden focused on the Clippers figuring out who they are and how much they enjoy playing together.

  "We're coming around, and we're understanding who we are," Harden said. "Understanding that in order for us to have a chance at anything, we know we have to do it every single night. And that's the most exciting part. And then, one thing about this team, we're all happy for each other. Literally, it can be anybody's night, on any given night. Nobody's going to be upset; everybody's going to be happy for each other. And things aren't always going to be perfect to win games. But even when we lose, we're still happy for each other. Good things will happen most of the time."

  Clippers coach Ty Lue added that his team knowing who will play each game has been huge after years of dealing with uncertainty with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. But still, Lue said LA will appreciate it when Leonard returns from his latest knee injury.

  "We've been able to lock into having one team," Lue said. "We know who's going to play every single night. So it's been helpful. But, you know, we definitely need him back, for sure."

• Clippers Likely Would Have Traded Paul George To Warriors If Jonathan Kuminga Was Offered

  The LA Clippers likely would have agreed to a Paul George trade with the Golden State Warriors if Jonathan Kuminga was offered, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic. Kuminga was discussed in some scenarios, but the Warriors later pulled him off the table. Kuminga was the only young player on the Warriors that the Clippers viewed as a potential star.

  Brandin Podziemski was also on the Clippers' wish list, but he also wasn't made available by the Warriors.

  The most realistic offer for the Clippers was Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Moses Moody and a first round pick for George. The total cost of that deal would have been approximately $110 million when factoring in second-apron luxury tax penalties.

• 'Nothing Better Than Something' For Clippers On Deciding Not To Send Paul George To Warriors

  The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors engaged on a Paul George opt-in-and-trade scenario this past offseason. Sources tell ESPN that the Clippers were willing to trade George to the Warriors, but wanted something of value in return. In order to make the salaries work, the Clippers would have had to take back Andrew Wiggins, who has three seasons and $85 million remaining on his contract. The Clippers also wanted a young player such as Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski as fellas a pick or two.

  Sources say Kuminga's name never was seriously broached and the Clippers weren't getting enough value in return as opposed to letting George walk in free agency.

  "Nothing is better than something," a source told ESPN