RealGM Basketball Wiretap

14 July 2025

• Suns, Clippers Still Considering Signing Chris Paul

  The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are still deciding whether to sign Chris Paul, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  Paul, who already turned down interest from the Hornets, is looking to play close to his Los Angeles home.

  Paul is looking for starting opportunities for what he says would be his final season in the league.

  The Clippers currently have the cap and roster space to sign both Paul and Bradley Beal.

• Bradley Beal Owed 25% Advance Payment For 2025-26 Salary On July 15

  Bradley Beal is owed a 25% advance payment for next season's salary on July 15, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  The payment, worth more than $13 million, could explain why Beal's buyout process with the Suns has been slow to unfold.

  Although Beal will receive the payment even if he agrees to a buyout with the Suns, he could still wait for it to go through before making his departure official.

  Several teams have registered interest in Beal, including the Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Bucks.

  The Clippers are seen as the favorites to sign Beal.

• Brook Lopez Pivoted To Clippers After LeBron James' Status With Lakers Became Uncertain

  Brook Lopez was strongly linked with the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the start of free agency, but he quickly came to agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $18 million deal. Sources tell ESPN that the uncertainty surrounding the future of LeBron James with the Lakers contributed to his decision to sign with the Clippers.

  Lopez will have a backup role with the Clippers behind Ivica Zubac, whereas he would have started for the Lakers had he signed with them. The Lakers instead pivoted to Deandre Ayton, who was unexpectedly bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers before the start of free agency.

  Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks in 31.8 minutes across 80 games for the Milwaukee Bucks. Lopez shot 37.3 percent on three-pointers last season. Lopez spent seven seasons with the Bucks and won a title in 2023.

  The Lakers lost Lopez to the Bucks in 2018 after the arrival of James during that same offseason.

• Kobe Sanders, Clippers Agree To Two-Way Deal

  Kobe Sanders and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a Two-Way deal.

  Sanders, who was the No. 50 overall pick out of Nevada, averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

  The Clippers also have Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Trenton Flowers currently on Two-Way deals.

• Norman Powell Caught Off Guard By Trade To Heat

  Veteran guard Norman Powell wasn't expected to be traded from the LA Clippers this offseason. However, Powell is happy to have landed with the Miami Heat.

  "Honestly, I didn't know what to think at first. I mean, it's been a crazy last couple of weeks, just from talking to Lawrence Frank in my exit meeting and what they were telling me, Powell said. "When I got the call and said I was traded, obviously it's a shock, because you're not expecting it. You just had a career year."

  Despite the shock of being traded, Powell is looking forward to playing for the Heat.

  "Hearing that it was Miami, I was really excited," Powell said. "And then thinking back to my childhood and being a big fan of Dwyane Wade and watching the Heat growing up and wanting to play for the Heat organization as one of the teams as a childhood dream that you want to play for, it's definitely a cool, full-circle moment for me."

• Clippers Waive Seth Lundy

  The Los Angeles Clippers waived Seth Lundy from his two-way contract on Wednesday, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Lundy did not appear in any games last season due to recovering from ankle surgery.

  Lundy is expected to be fully healthy by training camp.

  After waiving Jordan Miller, the Clippers now have enough space to use the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, sign a veteran minimum deal and to ink a Second Round Pick Exception.

  The Clippers are now able to sign both Chris Paul and Bradley Beal.

• Clippers Open Up Ability To Sign Both Chris Paul, Bradley Beal

  The Los Angeles Clippers have interest in signing both Chris Paul and Bradley Beal this offseason. The Clippers have been linked with Paul and Beal, but they are not facing an either or scenario after completing a number of roster moves to create the roster spots and cap mechanisms to add both. The Clippers are $8.9 million under the first apron hard cap with three open roster spots. The Clippers have $5.3 million remaining on their non-taxpayer midlevel exception and then use their leftover space on a veteran minimum contract.

  Paul previously was teammates with James Harden with the Houston Rockets and played for the Clippers from 2011 until 2017. The Clippers are looking to add a veteran backup point guard. Paul recently said this week that he intends for the 2025-26 season to be his last in the NBA. Paul also would like to return closer to the West Coast after spending the 2024-25 season with the San Antonio Spurs.

  Beal is currently working on a buyout with the Phoenix Suns and he would help the Clippers replace Norman Powell. Beal is also said to be prioritizing location for his family and has been considered likely to sign with the Clippers.

• Clippers Waive Jordan Miller

  The LA Clippers waived wing Jordan Miller. LA now has enough space under their first-apron hard cap to use the remainder of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, sign a veteran minimum deal and to ink a Second Round Pick Exception.

  Miller's contract was due to become partially guaranteed in mid-July. He was signed to a long-term deal last season, after starting the year on a two-way contract.

  Miller saw limited NBA action last season, but has performed well in the G League. In 46 total G League games over two seasons, Miller averaged 21.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

• Bradley Beal Likely To Sign With Clippers

  The Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the favorites to sign Bradley Beal if he secures a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns. The Clippers can offer Beal up to $5.3 million in salary for the 2025-26 season. They have cap space left over from the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which they used most of to sign Brook Lopez.

  The Clippers' trade this week of Norman Powell foreshadowed a move for Beal.

  Beal has also considered the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks, league sources tell The Athletic.

  Both Beal and the Suns are optimistic a buyout will get done. Beal has two years and $110.8 million remaining on his deal. Beal has to give back at least $13.8 million in a buyout to stretch his salary. Beal is unlikely to make back the $13.8 million in a single two-year contract signed his offseason and he's likely to become a free agent again in 2026 when there is more cap space available.

  The Clippers waived Jordan Miller on Tuesday, which will allow them to offer Beal a $5.3 million salary while also filling out the rest of their roster.

• Bradley Beal Considering Clippers, Warriors, Lakers, Bucks

  Bradley Beal has reportedly considered the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks as team he is interested in signing with after he completes his anticipated buyout with the Phoenix Suns and becomes a free agent.

  Beal must give back at least $13.8 million in his buyout with the Phoenix Suns in order for the team to be allowed to waive-and-stretch what remains on his $110.8 million contract that runs through the 2026-27 season. The Suns will have a dead cap hit of $19.4 million through the 2029-30 season. Phoenix is motivated to save tax dollars this season.

  Because most of the NBA is operating without cap space this offseason, Beal will be limited in what he can sign for. The Clippers can offer Beal the balance of their midlevel exception with a $5.3 million starting salary. Zach Lowe reported on his podcast on Monday that the feeling around the NBA is that the Clippers are the favorites to sign Beal, especially following their trade of Norman Powell.

  The Lakers can offer Beal the biannual exception worth $5.1 million. Milwaukee could possibly offer Beal the biggest role, but they can only offer a minimum contract because they have used up their exceptions. The Warriors are in a holding pattern as they await a resolution to the Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency while also remaining the favorites to sign Al Horford if he doesn't retire.

  Beal remained a productive player during his two seasons with the Suns, but the fit with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant wasn't as strong as they envisioned. In 53 games last season, Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Beal is represented by Reggie Brown and Mark Bartelstein.