NBA Notes: Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, Suns, Devin Booker, Grizzlies

Clippers

Maybe Kawhi Leonard isn’t completely finished with the Clippers after all.

The proposed trade sending Leonard back to Toronto remains on hold while the NBA continues its investigation into potential salary-cap circumvention involving the Clippers.

The Raptors reportedly agreed to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round swap and two second-rounders to LA, but have been reluctant to finalize anything until they know what penalties might be coming.

So what happens if Toronto eventually gets cold feet? Apparently, the Clippers wouldn’t mind keeping Leonard.

Ramona Shelburne said during an appearance on ESPN LA that the Clippers are “fine with Kawhi Leonard being back on their team,” as relayed by NBA on SI.

That’s an interesting little development given that Leonard has seemingly had one foot out the door for months.

The Clippers and NBA are reportedly engaged in settlement discussions, and the league has yet to announce a timetable for completing its investigation. Commissioner Adam Silver has said he’d like it resolved before the season.

If it is, perhaps Leonard finally becomes a Raptor again. If not? Well, maybe the strangest NBA divorce of the offseason ends with everyone moving back into the same house.

Suns

Mat Ishbia has been asked plenty of times about trading Devin Booker. Apparently, he’s getting tired of answering.

The Suns owner was recently asked whether he’d ever send Booker to the Pistons. His response? “When I’m dead.”

OK then.

“Devin Booker will never be a Detroit Piston,” Ishbia added, via NBA on SI. “I am from here, and I don’t care about the Pistons.”

So we’re marking that trade down as unlikely. Booker does have Michigan ties. He grew up in Grand Rapids and remains a fan of several Detroit sports teams. He also signed a two-year, $145 million extension with Phoenix last summer.

The Suns surprisingly reached the playoffs last season and added Miles Bridges and rookie Koa Peat this offseason.

As long as Ishbia is around, apparently Booker isn’t going anywhere. At least not Detroit.

Grizzlies

Taylor Hendricks was hardly the biggest name in the trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis to Utah. He might turn out to be a pretty important part of it anyway.

Sam Trigg of NBA on SI identified Hendricks as a potential breakout player for the Grizzlies after the 22-year-old averaged 10.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 26 games following the trade.

That’s encouraging after injuries derailed much of Hendricks’ first few NBA seasons.

The former No. 9 overall pick is 6-foot-9 with a 7-1 wingspan and gives Memphis another versatile defender who can theoretically stretch the floor. The shooting remains the question after Hendricks hit just 32.4 percent from three with the Grizzlies.

Memphis has plenty of frontcourt bodies after adding Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post, with Zach Edey also returning from injury.

But Hendricks is young, athletic and versatile. On a team figuring out exactly what comes next, those guys usually get a chance.