![\"PHOENIX,](\"https:\/\/platform.brightsideofthesun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2265193849.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 26: Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
In: Yaxel Lendeborg (Draft, No. 11), Kristaps Porzingis (re-signed, 2\/$40M), Al Horford (re-signed), Charles Bassey (re-signed), Draymond Green (re-signed, 1\/$27M)<\/p>\n
Out: Quinten Post (offer sheet unmatched, Grizzlies)<\/p>\n
Draymond opted out specifically to clear the runway for a LeBron signing and an Anthony Davis trade, an all-in swing to give Curry one last shot. You can kiss that dream goodbye. LeBron picked Philadelphia. What\u2019s left is a run-it-back roster that leaned into size, bringing back Porzingis, Draymond, Horford, and Bassey around a bigger-than-usual front line. It\u2019ll be interesting to see if that\u2019s a plan or just the fallback. There has to be something else up their sleeves, right? RIGHT?!<\/p>\n
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Draymond Green #23 (R) of the Golden State Warriors reacts alongside head coach Steve Kerr after being ejected during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n In: Rui Hachimura (2 yrs, $28M), Keaton Wagler (Draft, No. 5, via Indiana), Baba Miller (Draft, No. 36). Pending the Kawhi trade: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected 2031 and 2033 firsts, a 2027 swap, and two seconds from Toronto<\/p>\n Out: Bogdan Bogdanovic (option declined, signed with Houston), Bradley Beal (declined player option, free agent). Pending: Kawhi Leonard (agreed to Raptors)<\/p>\n The Kawhi era is ending, but it hasn\u2019t ended yet. The Clippers and Raptors agreed to the deal on June 30, then hit pause on July 9 while the NBA finishes its probe into whether the team circumvented the cap by funneling money to Leonard through his endorsement deal with the now-bankrupt company Aspiration. The fact-finding phase is reportedly wrapped, and the league is now deciding whether to hand down discipline to Leonard, the Clippers, or Steve Ballmer, a call that could still go to an arbitrator. Until it resolves, Kawhi is technically still a Clipper, and Ingram is technically still a Raptor.<\/p>\n On paper, the return is a genuine haul: a top-five pick in Wagler, real young talent, and unprotected picks. It\u2019s the smartest sad trade of the summer. On the calendar, it\u2019s in limbo, and that makes the Clippers the West\u2019s most fascinating in-betweener, whether the deal clears or not.<\/p>\n INGLEWOOD, CA – APRIL 15: Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, #2, walks off the court after their season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors during an NBA play-in-tournament at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)<\/p>\n In: Walker Kessler (sign-and-trade, Jazz, 4\/$130M), Quentin Grimes (4 yrs, $60M), Sandro Mamukelashvili (4\/$52M), Collin Sexton (2 yrs, $19M), Kevon Looney (1 yr, $3.9M), Cameron Carr (Draft, No. 24, traded up with the Knicks), Austin Reaves (re-signed, new max deal)<\/p>\n Out: LeBron James (signed with Philadelphia), Deandre Ayton (trade, Wizards, for Jaden Hardy and two seconds), Rui Hachimura (Clippers), Marcus Smart (Rockets), Luke Kennard (Suns), Jaxson Hayes (Jazz), unprotected 2031 and 2033 firsts plus two swaps to Utah<\/p>\n LeBron is gone to Philadelphia, and the response was mortgaging the pick cupboard to build a deep defensive roster around Luka. The last thread still dangling is Jonathan Kuminga, now a free agent after Atlanta declined his $24.3M option, with a backup center still on the shopping list. Getting Kuminga above the minimum means a sign-and-trade routed through the Hawks, which is where the Lakers are stuck.<\/p>\n They moved up for Cameron Carr, the exact 7-foot-wingspan Baylor wing this fan base spent draft season dreaming about, and watching Ayton get flipped for spare parts closes that chapter for good. They acquired some sneaky role players who their fan base will surely overrate.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n