Clippers Stand Pat on Kawhi Leonard, James Harden; Eyeing CJ McCollum on Trade Market
clippers-hold-firm-on-leonard-harden-eye-mccollum
The Los Angeles Clippers continue to tell rival front offices that neither Kawhi Leonard nor James Harden is available, league sources told The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer.
Although other teams remain skeptical—especially regarding Harden—the Clippers have not wavered from their stance as the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.
Potential move on the fringe
While Los Angeles insists its core is intact, the club is monitoring smaller deals. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Clippers have discussed CJ McCollum with the Washington Wizards. Multiple executives believe the veteran guard could be obtained for second-round draft picks, but his $30.7 million expiring salary complicates any agreement.
To satisfy league salary-matching rules, Los Angeles could start with John Collins’s $26.6 million expiring contract or combine several deals, including Bogdan Bogdanović’s $16.2 million figure, according to Siegel.
The interest in McCollum appears separate from any pursuit of a marquee name. Around the league, executives are betting at least one high-profile player will become available before the deadline; the Clippers, for now, are betting that player will not be Leonard or Harden.
Source: Hoops Wire
