Clippers emerging as realistic suitor for top restricted free agent
· Yahoo Sports
Clippers emerging as realistic suitor for top restricted free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Clippers have undergone some big changes this offseason.
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The team moved on from Kawhi Leonard, landing Gradey Dick, Brandon Ingram, and several picks. Earlier this week, the team also added forward Rui Hachimura on a nice deal, who should be a reliable rotation piece.
Still, even after adding Hachimura, the Clippers could still be players for one of the top free agents available.
Clippers emerging as suitor for Peyton Watson
Peyton Watson is among the top free agents of the offseason, although he is restricted. The Nuggetsreportedly have insane demands for Watson in a trade, and they still plan on matching any offer sheet Watson signs.
But, eventually, the Nuggets could grow tired of the debacle, and could instead opt to facilitate a sign-and-trade for Watson. In that case, NBA insider Marc Stein recently mentioned that the Clippers would be a great fit.
"We're still being told that the Clippers are not ruling themselves out of the sign-and-trade chase for Denver's Peyton Watson even after signing Rui Hachimura to a two-year, $28 million deal," Stein wrote. "They would need to assemble a sign-and-trade to acquire Watson and overcome Denver's behind-the-scenes insistence that it will match any offer sheet for Watson."
The Clippers would not only have to pay Watson a decent amount, but they'd have to come up with enough assets to interest the Nuggets. Watson is a reliable two-way player, so he won't come cheap.
In 2025-26, Watson played in 54 games and averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three. Watson also has the potential to provide solid defense and make up for some of the impact Leonard had.
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