RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 July 2024

• Trentyn Flowers, Clippers Sign Two-Way Deal

  The LA Clippers have signed Trentyn Flowers to a Two-Way contract. Flowers went undrafted in 2024 out of Adelaide. Flowers is a 19-year-old, 6'9 wing originally from Georgia.

  In 21 games with Adelaide last season, Flowers averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.4 minutes.

• Russell Westbrook Gave Up $1.7M In Buyout With Jazz

  Russell Westbrook gave up $1.7 million as part of his buyout agreement with the Utah Jazz, a source tells Keith Smith of Spotrac. The Jazz acquired Westbrook last week as part of a three-year, $17 million sign-and-trade with the LA Clippers for Kris Dunn. Westbrook is expected to sign with the Denver Nuggets.

  Westbrook, who is now represented by Jeff Schwartz after parting ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher in 2022, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.5 minutes over 68 games with the Clippers last season. Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers in 2023 on a two-year, $8 million contract using his Non-Bird rights.

  When Westbrook joins the Nuggets, he will be on his sixth team (Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers) since 2019 when he was first traded.

• Steve Ballmer: New CBA Not About Luxury Tax Anymore, It's About The Penalties In Terms Of Getting Better

  Steve Ballmer talked about the exit of Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason and how the franchise has had to adapt to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that increases the roster building penalties for teams that spend over a certain amount. During the ownership tenure of Ballmer, the Clippers have held an advantage with his willingness to spend money but his front office has pivoted to try to stay below the punitive second apron to maintain flexibility.

  "I think people are going to be very thoughtful about how they continue build their rosters to win," Ballmer said. "I think people are going to be over the second apron, but when you're over the second apron, you better feel like you got a clear shot [to win]. You stay up there two years, you better really feel like you got a clear shot. That was kind of what the Players Association and the league was intending to do. Trying to level out the level of competitiveness.

  "Guys like me who've been very willing to pay the luxury tax -- it's not about the luxury tax anymore. It's about the penalties in terms of how you get better. I'm not willing to sacrifice getting better. Still willing to pay the money. But it's more than money now."

• Clippers Send Balsa Koprivica, 2030 Second-Round Pick Swap, $4.3M To Jazz As Part Of Kris Dunn Trade

  The Los Angeles Clippers will send Balsa Koprivica, the right to swap second-round picks in 2030, and $4.3 million cash to the Utah Jazz as part of the Kris Dunn deal, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

  The trade included the Clippers sending Russell Westbrook to the Jazz.

  Westbrook, who agreed to a buyout with the Jazz, is expected to sign for the Nuggets.

• Russell Westbrook To Sign With Nuggets After Buyout With Jazz

  Russell Westbrook is expected to sign with the Denver Nuggets once he clears waivers following his buyout with the Utah Jazz. Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Los Angeles Clippers' sign-and-trade for Kris Dunn. Westbrook was previously traded to and bought out by the Jazz in 2023 following his exit from the Los Angeles Lakers.

  In joining the Nuggets, Westbrook will play a reserve role and also be a spot starter. As the Nuggets move younger with the departures of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson, the acquisition of Westbrook gives them a veteran presence. Depending on his corner three-point shooting, Westbrook will give the Nuggets a similar element they had in 2023 with Bruce Brown Jr.

  "I think we need some help in the backcourt," Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth told ''Altitude TV'' on Tuesday. "We are going to try to continue to identify that and survey the market. We have a roster spot left and I think if we can add a high-level guard, we will be happy with that."

  Westbrook, who is now represented by Jeff Schwartz after parting ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher in 2022, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.5 minutes over 68 games with the Clippers last season. Westbrook's closest tie on the Clippers was Paul George, who also exited the team this offseason. Westbrook picked up his $4 million option with the Clippers to bypass free agency last month.

  After the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs, a report surfaced that Westbrook had interest in leaving the franchise for a bigger opportunity next season. Westbrook and Nikola Jokic have long had interest in playing with each other.

• Clippers Acquire Kris Dunn On Three-Year, $17M Sign-And-Trade; Russell Westbrook To Be Bought Out By Utah

  The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz as they send out Russell Westbrook, a second round pick swap and cash. Westbrook will agree to a buyout with the Jazz for the second time in two years and then join the Denver Nuggets.

  Dunn will join the Clippers on a three-year, $17 million deal. Dunn, who is represented by Bernie Lee, averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 18.9 minutes over 66 games last season with the Jazz.

  Westbrook, who is now represented by Jeff Schwartz after parting ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher in 2022, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.5 minutes over 68 games with the Clippers last season. Westbrook's closest tie on the Clippers was Paul George, who also exited the team this offseason. Westbrook picked up his $4 million option with the Clippers to bypass free agency last month.

  After the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs, a report surfaced that Westbrook had interest in leaving the franchise for a bigger opportunity next season. Westbrook and Nikola Jokic have long had interest in playing with each other.

• Russell Westbrook, Clippers Working On Finding New Team; Nuggets Still Interested

  LA Clippers front office leader Lawrence Frank praised Russell Westbrook at Summer League in Las Vegas. Even as Frank praised Westbrook, he all but said the veteran guard would be playing elsewhere next season.

  "Russ is a tremendous f---ing player. Hall of Fame player. He's one of one for what he's accomplished. Last year was a different role than he's ever played before," Frank said. "Since the time he's opted in and with PG leaving as well, we've kind of worked with his agent to see where there's the best fit for Russ.

  "But we got great respect for Russ. He did a terrific job while he was here and we'll continue to work through his agent to see what the best next steps are."

  The Denver Nuggets have interest in bringing in Westbrook. However, it appears the Nuggets would rather do so by signing him after a waiver, as opposed to trading for Westbrook's $4 million contract. Denver is dealing with tax and apron concerns, and would prefer to add the veteran point guard at nearly half the cap and tax hit on a veteran minimum deal.

  "I think we need some help in the backcourt," Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth told Altitude TV on Tuesday. "We are going to try to continue to identify that and survey the market. We have a roster spot left and I think if we can add a high-level guard, we will be happy with that."

• Clippers 'Very Disappointed' Kawhi Leonard Pulled From Olympics By USA Basketball

  Lawrence Frank said the Los Angeles Clippers "very disappointed" with USA Basketball's decision to replace Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic team roster last week. USA Basketball implied that Leonard wasn't on the team in a move that was influenced by the Clippers and Team USA officials after seeing him during camp.

  "No, it was USAB's call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision," Frank said. "Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good. Was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn't there for the third practice where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction [last Wednesday].

  "I expressed to them I really wish that they would've given Kawhi more time."

  Frank was asked if Leonard underwent any type of procedures or treatment to his right knee before USA Basketball camp.

  "I'm not going to get into the specifics of kind of what's been happening," Frank said. "All I'll tell you is that he spent a great deal of time getting ready for this. He had a really solid progression. He looked good in the practices."

• Russell Westbrook Expected To Exit Clippers With Nuggets Considered Frontrunners If He Becomes Free Agent

  Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Clippers continue to plan on parting ways this offseason even though he remains in limbo, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. Westbrook exercised his $4 million player option with the Clippers on the eve of free agency. The Denver Nuggets are considered the frontrunner to sign Westbrook should he be waived by the Clippers and become a free agent. The Clippers, however, continue to pursue trade possibilities involving Westbrook.

  Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for LA last season. He finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting after playing 57 of his 68 games off the bench for the Clippers.

  Westbrook is represented by Jeff Schwartz.

• Kawhi Leonard Out For Olympics, Derrick White To Take Roster Spot On Team USA

  Kawhi Leonard will not play for the United States in the Olympics and will be replaced by Derrick White. The statement from USA Basketball suggested that the decision was made by the Los Angeles Clippers and the national team.

  Leonard has not completed a season for the Clippers since 2020 and there were concerns he would be limited for the United States in the Olympics, or it could jeopardize his availability for the start of the season.

  "Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olymplcs over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas," said USA Basketball in the statement. "He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it's in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris."