The Los Angeles Clippers are dictating the pace of the 2026 NBA offseason. Following a chaotic first week of free agency, rival executives are actively waiting on Los Angeles to make its next move. The front office is aggressively pursuing Denver Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson while simultaneously fighting to keep Bennedict Mathurin.
The post-Kawhi Leonard era is officially here. By shipping James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to Indiana, the Clippers cleared enough financial flexibility to completely rebuild their team around younger talent.
Key Details
- Rui Hachimura defected from the Lakers to the Clippers on a two-year, $28 million contract.
- Denver holds the right of first refusal for Watson but remains open to a sign-and-trade scenario.
- The Clippers hold the No. 5 overall pick, their highest draft spot since 2009.
Mathurin’s contract situation remains complicated. According to a detailed report by RealGM, the Clippers aim to re-sign Mathurin despite a crowded backcourt following the Zubac trade. He averaged 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. With cap space rapidly drying up across the league, Mathurin may be forced to play on his one-year, $8.8 million qualifying offer.
The pursuit of Watson is equally aggressive. Watson produced 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Denver. The Nuggets desperately want to keep him. But ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk noted that executives are watching closely as Denver explores potential sign-and-trade options to accommodate the market.
The Zubac trade yielded serious draft capital. That maneuver allowed Los Angeles to select Keaton Wagler at No. 5 overall. That selection stands as the franchise’s highest draft pick since taking Blake Griffin at No. 1 overall back in 2009.
Los Angeles has completely flipped its timeline. The front office is building a completely new young core anchored by Garland, Wagler, and Brandon Ingram. They just snatched Rui Hachimura away from the rival Lakers. The Clippers are currently dictating the restricted free agency market.