RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 June 2026

• Clippers Could Pursue Peyton Watson

  The Los Angeles Clippers are deciding whether to pursue restricted free agent Peyton Watson, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

  The Clippers moved back their team option date on Bogdan Bogdanovic to June 29, letting them look for deals to clear more cap space.

  The Nuggets have signaled that they plan to re-sign Watson. Sources add that it would take a deal at around $30 million-per-season to get the Nuggets to hesitate to commit to Watson.

  The Lakers and Bulls are also mentioned as candidates to sign Watson.

• Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clippers Move Back $16M Guarantee Date To June 29

  Bogdan Bogdanovic and the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to move back the $16 million team option date to June 29. Bogdanovic signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks in March 2023.

  Bogdanovic appeared in 23 games with the Clippers and averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19.7 minutes. Bogdanovic shot 34.7 percent on three-pointers.

  Bogdanovic has been linked to the Denver Nuggets should he become an unrestricted free agent.

  Bogdanovic is represented by Jason Ranne.

• Clippers Signaling They Plan On Being Cap Space Team In Offseason

  The Los Angeles Clippers have the capacity to open up some level of cap space this offseason if they decline team options on Brook Lopez, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nicolas Batum.

  "I don't know if this has been decided yet, but someone who would know told me [Wednesday] that the Clippers are telling or behaving I guess as though they're going to have cap space in the offseason," said Zach Lowe.

  "They can't open much. They can open about $20 million but they have to cut some options and renounce some guys."

  Lowe floated the possibility of the Clippers signing LeBron James with their newly created cap space.

  The Clippers are also deciding what to do with Kawhi Leonard as the expectation is that they'll either come to terms on an extension, or pursue a trade of him in the marketplace.

• Kawhi Leonard Would Not Extend With Pistons If Traded To Detroit

  The Detroit Pistons, along with the Toronto Raptors, are known to have had some interest in trading for LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard. However, Leonard has indicated that he would not be receptive to signing an extension with the Pistons. That appears to have lessened, if not ended, Detroit's desire to trade for the veteran forward.

  Leonard has indicated that he'd be willing to sign an extension with the Raptors. A trade to Toronto would be a return to the city he helped lead to the 2019 title.

  It also appears that Leonard would be willing to sign an extension with the San Antonio Spurs. It's unclear if the Spurs would be willing to bring the 15-year veteran back to where he played the first seven seasons of his NBA career.

• Narcisse Ngoy Drafted By Clippers In Draft-And-Stash Move, Reaffirms Auburn Commitment

  Narcisse Ngoy, a French center who signed with Auburn in the spring, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers via the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the NBA Draft in a draft-and-stash move. The 7-footer reaffirmed his commitment to play for the Tigers in 2026-27 shortly after his selection.

  "I am thankful for the LA Clippers' confidence in me," Ngoy wrote on his Instagram story. "I fully intend to honor my commitment to Auburn University, and I am looking forward to wearing the Auburn Tigers jersey for the 2026-2027 season."

  A draft-and-stash selection allows a team to secure a player's rights without requiring him to join the NBA roster immediately. The practice is common with international prospects but this is the first time it has occurred collegiately.

  Ngoy joins Auburn after playing professionally in France's Elite 2 League. He has not yet appeared for the Tigers, making him the second consecutive Auburn-affiliated player drafted without having suited up for the program.

  Head coach Steven Pearl praised Ngoy's skill set when he signed with the program earlier this year.

  "He's a high-upside young man who brings toughness, physicality, and a team-first mindset to everything he does," said Pearl. "His instincts, ability to catch and finish around the basket, rim protection, and willingness to embrace contact will make him an immediate impact while filling a huge need for our team."

• Kawhi Leonard Would Only Consider Extension With Raptors, Spurs If Traded By Clippers

  Kawhi Leonard would consider signing a contract extension with only the Toronto Raptors or the San Antonio Spurs if he is unable to agree to terms on an extension with the Los Angeles clippers and is traded.

  Leonard, who turns 35 Monday, has one year remaining on his current deal at $50.3 million and is seeking an extension from the Clippers. Leonard's stated preference is to remain in Los Angeles. However, should no extension materialize, he holds the ability to become an unrestricted free agent next summer regardless of where he plays in 2026-27.

  Sources say Leonard would not consider signing long-term with the Detroit Pistons or Miami Heat in any trade scenario, effectively narrowing his list to his two former teams. The status of the Golden State Warriors, who pursued Leonard at the deadline, is not mentioned in this report.

  It remains unclear how San Antonio would approach a potential reunion given the franchise's current position in the Victor Wembanyama era and the parties' difficult parting in the summer of 2018 when he was traded to the Raptors.

  Toronto, however, has genuine interest in bringing Leonard back to the franchise. The Raptors view a potential reunion favorably and sources say Leonard is open to playing in Canada again.

  Raptors lead decision-maker Bobby Webster signaled at a press conference Tuesday that the organization intends to be active, saying Toronto needs to be "opportunistic in the trade market at a certain point."

  The Clippers, meanwhile, are described as determined to keep Leonard and believe they still have options to strengthen their roster around him.

• Pelicans Receiving Lots Of Interest In Trey Murphy

  Multiple NBA teams have interest in trading for New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III. The Pelicans have reportedly set a high price for Murphy and initially wanted a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That didn't happen, making it unclear how New Orleans will proceed this offseason.

  The Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers and Boston Celtics have all been linked to Murphy. There were reports that the Pelicans had engaged the Celtics in talks for the No. 27 pick. New Orleans planned to trade into the first round and select center Chris Cenac Jr., who was ultimately picked by Boston.

• Kawhi Leonard's Potential Trade Status Being Monitored By Multiple Teams

  Kawhi Leonard is entering the final season of his current contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and his potential trade status is being monitored by rival teams. Leonard could sign a contract extension with the Clippers and continue to be their franchise player, or they could consider a pivot around Darius Garland and their pick at No. 5 in Tuesday's draft.

  "There are multiple teams monitoring Kawhi Leonard here over the next few weeks," said Shams Charania on Tuesday.

  "I don't think the draft is necessarily dependent on Kawhi Leonard's future, but I think in the coming days and weeks we'll start to learn a little bit more about the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and a potential outside team as well."

  The Golden State Warriors discussed a Leonard trade with the Clippers ahead of the trade deadline in February and could revisit those talks. Steve Ballmer has so far been resistant on the possibility of trading Leonard.

  Leonard's $50.3 million expiring contract would require a significant extension as part of any deal, making a trade a considerable long-term commitment for any acquiring team. Any package would also include a mix of players and future draft capital.

  Leonard was a Second Team All-NBA selection in 2025-26, playing perhaps his best basketball since the 2019-20 season.

• Kawhi Leonard, Ja Morant Could Be Plan B For Heat

  The Miami Heat are continuing to push for a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. However, should those trade talks break down, Miami is ready to move to Plan B options. Those options could include the previously reported Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers, or Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

  The challenge with Leonard is that there are several layers of uncertainty. It's unclear if the Clippers have any interest in moving the veteran wing. In addition, the investigation into the alleged salary cap circumvention between Leonard and the Clippers is still playing out. Some teams may be wary of dealing for Leonard without a resolution to that situation.

  As for Morant, Miami has long had interest in the point guard. The Grizzlies are expected to work with Morant to find a fresh start. Some see the Heat as an ideal place to help former All-Star get his career back on track.

• Nuggets Interested In Bogdan Bogdanovic In Free Agency

  The Denver Nuggets are interested in adding wing Bogdan Bogdanovic in free agency. The LA Clippers hold a $16 million team option for Bogdanovic that they are expected to decline. The 33-year-old veteran wing would then be an unrestricted free agent.

  Denver would like to add Bogdanovic to play with fellow countryman Nikola Jokic. The two have a strong bond from their time together with the Serbian national team.

  Bogdanovic struggled through injuries in what was a lost season a year ago. For his career, the 6-foot-5 wing has averaged 14 points per game and has shot more than 38% from behind the arc.