RealGM Basketball Wiretap

05 December 2025

• James Harden Has 'Neutral Value', Kawhi Leonard 'Negative' If Clippers Explore Trades

  The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a challenging situation following their slow start to the 2025-26 season where they are currently out of the playoff picture while also owing their unprotected first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. One option could be to give up on the current season to reset their roster and timeline for the 2026 offseason by trading James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. According to NBA executives, Harden would be easier for the Clippers to trade than Leonard.

  "James has maybe neutral value," an East scout said. "Kawhi has negative value."

  Harden has a $42 million player option for the 2026-27 season, while Leonard is owed $50 million. Harden has been healthier and more durable than Leonard while still also competing at an All-Star level. Leonard's checkered injury history and the NBA's ongoing investigation into his Aspiration endorsement deal makes it more challenging for the Clippers to trade him.

  The Clippers have been positioning themselves for the 2027 offseason when both Harden and Leonard are scheduled to come off their books. There are currently a number of star NBA players slated to become free agents in 2027. Ivica Zubac is the only player on the Clippers' roster guaranteed to be signed for the 2027-28.

  "There are a lot of ways to use cap space, and if they don't believe in this core they could really turn their team over in a year if they got flexibility," an assistant GM said. "You look at what they figured out in Phoenix. They had a team that was too old and turned over that roster and it changed their entire outlook."

  The Clippers could also try to shed $6.7 million off their salary cap to get under the luxury tax line and out of the repeater tax.

• League Sources Expect No Penalties For Clippers In Kawhi Leonard Sponsorship Probe

  The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to emerge from an ongoing NBA investigation without penalties related to a sponsorship arrangement involving Kawhi Leonard and former team sponsor Aspiration, according to sources. Multiple sources outside the organization share the team's belief that the league will not uncover wrongdoing in the matter.

  The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by facilitating a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration. The league seeks proof that the Clippers explicitly requested Aspiration provide the deal so Leonard could earn additional income outside the salary cap.

  Leonard received a four-year, $28 million contract from Aspiration in 2022 that did not require him to perform any work. While the document outlined expectations, a clause gave Leonard final refusal on anything he didn't want to do.

  Aspiration, now bankrupt, served as a Clippers team sponsor before the arrangement. Owner Steve Ballmer made a $50 million investment in the environmental firm in 2021, with subsequent investments from Ballmer and minority owner Dennis J. Wong.

  The Clippers remain steadfast in their insistence they did nothing wrong in their dealings with Aspiration. Team sources emphasized their confidence that the investigation will not reveal any salary cap violations.

  The investigation comes amid a disastrous season for the Clippers, who sit at 6-16 despite entering the year as title contenders. The team has dealt with multiple injuries, roster upheaval including the departure of Chris Paul, and significant losing stretches.

  The NBA has not announced a timeline for concluding its investigation. The league must establish direct evidence that the Clippers orchestrated Leonard's endorsement deal to circumvent salary cap restrictions.

• Lawrence Frank Expected To Sign Contract Extension With Clippers

  Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank is on track to receive a contract extension despite the team's 6-16 start to the season, according to multiple league sources. The extensions for Frank and his associates have been in the planning stages for some time, sources said.

  Owner Steve Ballmer and the Clippers organization remain committed to continuity amid a season plagued by injuries, roster upheaval, and an ongoing NBA investigation. The team released veteran point guard Chris Paul on Wednesday, the latest crisis in a disastrous campaign that has seen the franchise spiral.

  Clippers sources emphasized ownership's commitment to continuity but characterized contract extension discussions as "premature." One league source said the extensions "have been in the planning stages for a while. It hasn't happened yet, but it will."

  Frank expressed strong support for head coach Tyronn Lue, calling him "my partner" and "one hell of a coach." He stated Lue would "continue to be the coach here for a long time."

  The Clippers have endured significant setbacks beyond their losing record. The NBA is investigating allegations the team circumvented the salary cap through a sponsorship arrangement with Kawhi Leonard and former team sponsor Aspiration.

  "Right now we're playing bad basketball on both ends. We're a bad basketball team," Frank said.

  Bradley Beal suffered a season-ending hip injury on November 8 after joining the team via trade. Leonard missed 10 games with a foot sprain, during which the Clippers went 1-9. The team went 2-13 in November and currently sits 10 games below .500.

  The Clippers rank 19th in offense and 24th in defense despite carrying the league's ninth-highest payroll and oldest roster. They don't own their 2026 first-round pick, eliminating any draft lottery incentive.

  "It's been hard," Lue admitted. "I've never had a losing season (as a coach) and a few guys in the locker room never had losing seasons. It's been tough trying to figure it out."

• James Harden, Kawhi Leonard Shocked By Chris Paul's Clippers Exit

  Los Angeles Clippers stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard expressed shock Wednesday after learning the team parted ways with Chris Paul overnight. The decision came after a three-hour late-night meeting between Paul and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank at the team hotel in Atlanta.

  Harden and Leonard discovered the news on their phones Wednesday morning. The abrupt departure stunned the roster as the Clippers prepared to face the Atlanta Hawks.

  "I'm just as confused and shocked as you guys, the world," Harden said after the Clippers beat Atlanta 115-92. "Definitely surprised me. But not just Chris, it's a lot that we were dealing with. But that is out of my hands. I got to focus on what I got to focus on and what I can control. I guess the front office felt that was the best decision for the organization."

  Leonard said the announcement caught him off guard despite the team's 5-16 record entering Wednesday's game.

  "It was shocking to me," Leonard said. "I guess they had a conversation, and front office made a decision."

  Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Paul was not on speaking terms with coach Ty Lue for several weeks. Paul's leadership style clashed with Lue and the Clippers, according to sources, who said the 12-time All-Star was vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable.

  The Clippers believed Paul's style had become disruptive, sources told Charania. Frank said the decision did not stem from one isolated incident.

  Lue was asked whether Paul's exit helps the Clippers moving forward.

  "I don't think it necessarily helped our team," Lue said. "I mean, I don't think the reason why we're 5-16 is because of CP's play. I just think that it wasn't a good fit for what he was looking for. Do I want to see CP go out like this? No, I have a lot of respect for him. He's been a friend of mine over the years, and you don't want to see a great go out like this."

  Paul will retire at the end of this season, his 21st in the NBA.

• Clippers Sign RayJ Dennis To Two-Way, Waive Jahmyl Telfort

  The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to sign RayJ Dennis to a Two-Way contract. In a related move, the Clippers will waive Jahmyl Telfort.

  Dennis addresses the Clippers need for depth at point guard following their decision to part ways with Chris Paul.

• Clippers Asked Chris Paul Repeatedly To Stop 'Locker Room Lawyering'

  The Los Angeles Clippers released Chris Paul after his internal criticism created friction with coaches and teammates during the team's 5-16 start. League sources told The Athletic that Paul had multiple meetings with team officials regarding concerns about his approach, with one source indicating a request to stop "locker room lawyering."

  President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank met with Paul for three hours beginning at 11 p.m. ET Tuesday in Atlanta. Paul announced his release on social media at 2:40 a.m., writing "Just found out I'm being sent home."

  League sources said Paul's acerbic criticism was met with increasing resistance from those around him. Head coach Ty Lue and his staff were known to be at wit's end dealing with Paul. Some teammates took exception to his disparaging tone.

  Paul was openly critical of the team in a film session Tuesday, though Frank indicated the decision had already been made. The 40-year-old appeared in 16 games this season, averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in a career-low 14.3 minutes per game.

  "It wasn't working out the way that I had planned and we had planned and it's unfortunate," Frank said Wednesday. "You don't take decisions like this lightly at all. Especially a guy that meant so much to the league and so much our organization, but just felt it was the right decision to make."

  The Clippers signed Paul to a one-year, $3.6 million deal in July after his season with the San Antonio Spurs. Team sources said they managed expectations regarding his reserve role. Frank's statement announcing Paul's addition emphasized he would serve as a backup point guard.

  "Do I want to see CP go out like this? No, I have a lot of respect for him," Lue said. "He's been a friend of mine over the years, and you never want to see a great go out like this, but I'm pretty sure he will find something because he's a great player. I don't like it for CP, but it just wasn't a good fit."

  Paul announced this would be his final NBA season on November 22.

• Ty Lue, Chris Paul Weren't On Speaking Terms For Several Weeks

  Ty Lue and Chris Paul were not on speaking terms for several weeks before the Los Angeles Clippers parted ways with him on Wednesday morning. Paul and his leadership style clashed with the Clippers and the team felt that it had become disruptive, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania.

  Paul had been vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable amid their 5-16 start to the 2025-26 season. Chris Haynes reported that Paul requested a meeting with Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on the team, but the Clippers' head coach refused.

  Paul appeared in 16 games with the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 14.2 minutes. Paul appeared in all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs where he averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 28.0 minutes.

  "This decision had nothing to do with one incident or one meeting that did or did not happen," Lawrence Frank said. "Some of our business, respectfully have to keep in-house, but this didn't come down to just a one incident and one meeting.

  "It just wasn't the right fit.... We had conversations with Chris throughout, even before we started -- call it the onboarding process -- and throughout. So this isn't like an isolated one-conversation decision. No, these are fluid throughout."

  Last week, Paul announced he planned to retire at the end of the season. The Phoenix Suns had interest in Paul in the offseason, but there were concerns from the coaching staff about how his presence could impact the team.

  The Clippers owe their unprotected first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year.

• Clippers 'Parting Ways' With Chris Paul Amid Road Trip

  The Los Angeles Clippers are "parting ways" with Chris Paul on Wednesday morning, sources told Chris Haynes.

  The Clippers, currently on a five-game road trip, are sending Paul home.

  "We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team. We will work with him on the next step of his career. Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we've struggled. We're grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise," said Lawrence Frank in a statement.

  Paul who announced that he will retire after this year, signed a one-year deal with the team last offseason.

  Paul is averaging 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in his 21st season.

  The Clippers are 5-16 on the year.

• Clippers Have Shown Interest In Trading For DeMar DeRozan

  If the Sacramento Kings turn to trading veterans to start a rebuild, DeMar DeRozan could be one of the players they move. The LA Clippers have shown some interest in acquiring DeRozan, should he become available.

  DeRozan makes $24.75 million this season. Next season, the veteran wing is on the books for $25.74 million, but only $10 million of that deal is guaranteed. DeRozan could trigger additional guarantees if he's named a 2026 All-Star, or if the Kings win the 2026 NBA Finals, but neither of those seem likely.

  The Clippers have struggled out of the gate, with several of their veterans going down with injuries. Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup on Sunday, while Bradley Beal was ruled out for the season due a fractured hip.

  The Kings have struggled to find the right mix. GM Scott Perry won't put a label on his team by saying they are rebuilding, but he's said it's going to take some time to get Sacramento into a better place.

• Kawhi Leonard To Return On Sunday At Cavaliers

  LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard plans to return to the lineup on Sunday at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Leonard has missed the Clippers last nine games with a sprained ankle and foot injury.

  LA is looking to snap a three-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon at the Charlotte Hornets. LA is 4-11 overall and has gone 1-8 without Leonard in the lineup this season.

  Leonard's season was off to a strong start before suffering the ankle and foot injury. The veteran forward averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals while playing in the Clippers first six games.