Peyton Watson remains on the Clippers' radar even as the Kawhi Leonard trade sits in limbo.
The Clippers' offseason has been stuck behind one frozen trade, but the front office has not stopped working around it.
Denver's decision to match the Thunder's offer sheet for Spencer Jones on Sunday came with a note that should interest Los Angeles, since the reporting also said the Clippers remain among the teams interested in restricted free agent Peyton Watson, a pursuit that earlier reports tied to a possible sign-and-trade.
With the Kawhi Leonard trade still on hold, landing a 23-year-old wing who defends and shoots would give this roster shuffle a clear direction.
The Watson Chase Continues
Shams Charania of ESPN reported the Jones decision on Sunday, and Hoops Rumors noted that the Hawks, Bucks and Clippers all have interest in Watson.
The pursuit is not new.
Jake Fischer reported earlier this month that the Clippers covet Watson but had not pushed hard on a sign-and-trade because Denver's asking price was seen as too steep, and Watson is reportedly looking for a contract worth at least $25 million a year.
ESPN's Bobby Marks has noted Watson could simply take his $6.5 million qualifying offer, a path that would push Denver's projected tax bill to $112 million and keep his future open into next summer.
It is easy to see why Los Angeles keeps calling.
Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game last season while shooting 41.1 percent from three, numbers that would help any contender and would help a retooling roster even more.
Restricted free agency usually rewards the patient team, since the player wants a market and the current team controls it, and the Clippers seem happy to let Denver's tax problems help their cause.
A Roster in Limbo
There is a lot going on around this pursuit.
The Clippers agreed on June 30 to send Leonard to Toronto for a package built around Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick plus two first-round picks, two second-round picks and pick swaps, but the NBA paused the deal while it looks into a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC.
Charania has said a resolution remains weeks away, which leaves the roster in limbo.
There is already a projected depth chart for the day the trade becomes official, with Ingram slotting in after averaging 21.5 points across 77 games for the Raptors last season.
Why Watson Makes Sense
Free agency has already brought one forward to town, since Rui Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers this offseason.
Watson would fill a different need.
A wing who blocks shots and shot better than 41 percent from three last season would let Los Angeles put a real defender on the other team's best perimeter player every night without asking Ingram or Hachimura to do it.
The price is the sticking point, and Denver has the leverage as long as it can simply match an offer.
The Clippers have stayed in the mix anyway, and until the Leonard investigation ends, waiting and staying ready are the only two moves this front office has.
So far they are playing both well.
