RealGM Basketball Wiretap

30 December 2025

• Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard Named NBA's Players Of Week 10

  Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard have been named the NBA's Players of Week 10.

  Brown averaged 32.7 points and 6.3 rebounds as the Boston Celtics went 2-1.

  Leonard averaged 41.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals as the Los Angeles Clippers went 3-0.

• Kawhi Leonard Scores Career-High 55 Points, Skips Chase To Set Clippers' Record

  Kawhi Leonard delivered a career-high 55 points in the LA Clippers' 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday but elected to sit the final minute to preserve his health. The performance extended the Clippers' winning streak to four games and showcased Leonard's recent offensive surge.

  Leonard was informed by coach Tyronn Lue he was approaching the franchise scoring record but limited his fourth-quarter minutes to six. He now shares the team mark with James Harden, who previously held it alone.

  "Like I told [Lue], I would rather play another game than go out there and risk it," Leonard said. "Hopefully, we can get another win and be in the same situation. It is what it is."

  Leonard shot 17-of-26 from the field and 16-of-17 from the free throw line in 39 minutes. He scored 26 points in the third quarter alone, though his lone free throw miss in that period ended his franchise-record 64 consecutive made free throws.

  Leonard has battled knee injuries in recent years and missed 10 games earlier this season with ankle and foot issues. He reached 40 minutes for the first time this season during last week's win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

  "He's finally getting healthy and finally being able to play enough minutes to be very effective," Lue said. "When he's healthy, he's one of the top guys in the league."

  Leonard scored 41 points against Houston on Tuesday, becoming the second player in franchise history to post consecutive 40-point home games alongside Bob McAdoo. He is averaging 39.0 points over his last four games.

  "I'm more trying to get guys the ball and sharing it more than what I have been doing," Leonard said. "But the coaches need me to be aggressive the entire game."

• Clippers To Sign TyTy Washington Jr To Two-Way Contract

  The LA Clippers are signing guard TyTy Washington Jr. to a two-way a contract. LA will reportedly waive RayJ Dennis to create the roster spot to sign Washington.

  Washington will be eligible to be active for up to 30 or 31 NBA games, depending on if he's signed Saturday or Sunday. Dennis was signed in early December and appeared in one NBA game for the Clippers.

  In 16 G League games with the San Diego Clippers this season, Washington has averaged 19.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. The fourth-year guard has also played for the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns in the NBA.

• Ivica Zubac Out Several Weeks With Grade 2 Ankle Sprain

  Ivica Zubac has been ruled out by the LA Clippers for several weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain. Zubac suffered the injured in the first quarter of Saturday's win by the Clippers over the Los Angeles Lakers.

  Zubac had five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes prior to the injury. Brook Lopez entered the game for the Clippers at center.

  Zubac has been one of the Clippers' bright spots in their disappointing 7-21 start to the season. Zubac is averaging 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32.0 minutes over 28 games this season.

  The Clippers have previously lost Bradley Beal to a season-ending injury and sent Chris Paul home while they search for a workable trade to fill his roster spot.

• Ivica Zubac Leaves Clippers' Win Over Lakers With Ankle Injury

  Ivica Zubac left the LA Clippers' 103-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half with a left ankle injury. Zubac went to the floor late in the first quarter and immediately hobbled to the Clippers' locker room.

  Zubac had five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes prior to the injury. Brook Lopez entered the game for the Clippers at center.

  Zubac has been one of the Clippers' bright spots in their disappointing 7-21 start to the season. Zubac is averaging 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32.0 minutes over 28 games this season.

• James Harden's Potential Trade Availability Being Monitored By Teams

  The potential trade availability of James Harden is being closely monitored by multiple teams ahead of the February 5th NBA trade deadline, a source tells Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Clippers are 6-20 despite Harden being healthy and playing at an All-Star level.

  Harden is owed $39.1 million this season and has a $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

  Harden could be a short-term fit for teams searching for a playmaker such as the Minnesota Timberwolves.

  The Clippers owe their 2026 first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder outright, along with a 2027 swap, 2028 unprotected to the Philadelphia 76ers and a 2029 top-3 protected swap to the Sixers.

• Chris Paul's Exit From Clippers Rooted In Diverging Expectations Over Playing Time

  A significant gap between expectations and reality contributed to Chris Paul's abrupt departure from the Los Angeles Clippers, with the veteran point guard's preseason role far exceeding what was discussed when he signed this summer, multiple sources told ESPN. The divergence in Paul's usage set the stage for mounting tensions that led to his dismissal 21 games into the season.

  Paul signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract as a free agent this summer with the understanding his role would be limited, sources said. The team envisioned Paul as an end-of-the-bench veteran leader who needed little maintenance. In the release announcing Paul's signing, president Lawrence Frank said Paul would play a "reserve" role.

  Paul played 19 minutes per game during the preseason, averaging 8.3 points and 5.3 assists. The workload represented a much heartier role than had been discussed in the summer, sources said.

  "I think that's where Ty went wrong," said one source close to the situation, "because that really empowered Chris and changed the expectations."

  Tyronn Lue utilized Paul more extensively as the point guard performed well and the team dealt with injuries to Kawhi Leonard, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Bradley Beal entering the season. Paul quickly became a standout leader of the second unit, which routinely defeated the starters in practice.

  "We were kicking their ass," forward John Collins told ESPN. "Everyday we were kicking [the starters'] ass."

  The expanded role emboldened Paul to take on more vocal leadership responsibilities, which created friction with coaches and players who found his style abrasive, sources said. Frank described Paul's role as very limited to multiple players during the summer, as they expressed concerns about how Paul's presence might affect their own roles.

  Over several summer discussions, Paul said he was okay with the outlines of a limited role but stressed he wanted a chance to compete, sources said. He emphasized he would do his best to be an extension of the coaching staff.

  The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer started 82 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs. His expectations for meaningful playing time conflicted with organizational plans once the regular season began.

  Paul had multiple meetings with Frank about being more positive and not engaging in activities the organization perceived as "divisive," sources said. Arguments with Lue and especially associate head coach Jeff Van Gundy escalated tensions. The final confrontation occurred on a Nov. 30 flight to Miami when Van Gundy accused Paul of changing defensive coverage without approval.

  Frank informed Paul of his dismissal in an Atlanta hotel room around 11 p.m. on Dec. 2, sources said. Paul attempted to plead his case and brought teammate Brook Lopez into the room as a character witness, but the decision by Frank and the Clippers had already been made.

  The Clippers are 6-20 and sit 14th in the Western Conference. Paul remains at home awaiting a trade or buyout while working out at the team's old Playa Vista facility. The Clippers plan on working with Paul on a trade.

• Chris Paul Open To Playing For More Teams Than Over The Summer

  Chris Paul's time with the LA Clippers is nearing an end. Paul is now trade-eligible, and the Clippers are expected to look for a deal for the veteran point guard.

  This past offseason, Paul was focused on playing for teams on the west coast near his family in Los Angeles. Now, Paul is reportedly open to playing for more teams than he was when he signed with the Clippers.

  Paul is focused on landing with a team where he'll have a role and he can end his career in a better way than things played out with his return to the Clippers.

• Hornets Not Expected To Pursue Chris Paul

  The Charlotte Hornets are not expected to pursue a reunion with Chris Paul, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  The Hornets had interest in signing Paul over the offseason.

  Paul, who wanted to play near his family in Los Angeles, is reportedly open-minded about his next destination.

  The Clippers are motivated to work on a trade with Paul.

• Tyronn Lue Denies Reports Of Rift With Chris Paul Before Exit

  Tyronn Lue denied Tuesday that he and Chris Paul were not on speaking terms before the Los Angeles Clippers dismissed the veteran point guard last week. Lue spoke with local media for the first time in ten days, addressing Paul's departure as the Clippers' record fell to 6-18, tied for third-worst in the NBA.

  Paul was sent home while the Clippers were in Atlanta last week. The 21st-year veteran had averaged career lows of 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes across 16 games, with five DNP-CDs in November.

  Lue confirmed he maintained contact with Paul throughout the difficult stretch when the veteran was removed from the rotation.

  "We were talking," Lue said when asked about communication with Paul. "How you gonna play if I'm not talking to him? There was a stretch where we said he wasn't gonna play, he was gonna be out of the rotation, that was tough for him, because he's a competitor and what the game means to him and what he brings every single day. But after that, it wasn't really much."

  Clippers president Lawrence Frank announced last week that the team would part ways with Paul, who remains on the roster while a transaction is sought. Paul becomes trade eligible December 15, when the Clippers play their first home game since his dismissal.

  When asked why Paul's situation became irreconcilable, unlike previous temporary departures of Marcus Morris Sr., Bones Hyland and PJ Tucker, Lue deferred to management. John Collins confirmed he reached out to Paul, noting the veteran was in good spirits despite the circumstances.

  "The organization just made the decision to do it," Lue said. "But we gotta move on, because we gotta try to win some games. And I don't think the mood changed because Chris is gone. Like, nobody wants to see him gone like that."

  Nicolas Batum praised Lue's leadership during the turbulent stretch, noting the coach has kept the team engaged despite mounting challenges. The Clippers have dealt with season-ending hip surgery for Bradley Beal and injuries to Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

  Lue emphasized increased leadership responsibility for James Harden and Leonard, saying he has had "constant talks" with both stars. Collins noted Harden has stepped up his vocal leadership on and off the court.

  "I can't control injuries. I can't control certain situations," Lue said. "When we first came into the season, we thought we had a great team. We thought we had a great chance."