The Los Angeles Clippers are just two days away from the NBA Draft, in which they will have the number five overall pick. The Clippers got that selection from their trade of Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers last year, with the team needing that pick to fall outside the top four in order to keep it.
The Clippers are hoping to retool this offseason after a play-in exit two months ago. Los Angeles got off to a brutal start to the 2025-26 season, and recently, NBA insider Michael Scotto of Hoopshype broke down one player that the team had interest in amid that rough stretch: Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“When the Los Angeles Clippers were struggling earlier this season amid a 6-21 start and gauging the trade market for Kawhi Leonard andJames Harden each, the Clippers poked around on McDaniels, but were rebuffed, HoopsHype has learned,” reported Scotto.
It’s unclear if the Clippers would have been willing to give up either Leonard or Harden in such a deal. Of course, Harden ended up being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the deadline in a deal that brought the Clippers back Darius Garland, who figures to be a part of the team’s long-term plan moving forward.
Overall, the Clippers are in a bit of an awkward spot. On the one hand, Leonard is coming off the best regular season of his career, looking like a two-way force and staying healthy for the most part throughout 2025-26. On the other hand, the Clippers are clearly miles away from legit contention in the Western Conference, and might benefit from at least gauging the trade market for their star.
In any case, the NBA Draft is set for Tuesday evening.
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