Report: Despite Zach LaVine Chatter, Clippers Likely To Stand Pat After Russell Westbrook Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers we see today very well could be the Clippers we see at the start of training camp.

That’s especially the case now that they’ve unloaded guard Russell Westbrook, to the Utah Jazz, and received guard Kris Dunn in return. (Westbrook is ultimately headed to the Denver Nuggets.)

As for the Clippers, well, so much for the Zach LaVine chatter. A recent report suggested Los Angeles could indeed try to make a run at the widely available Chicago Bulls guard.

But forget that noise now that Dunn is in town, suggested Tomer Azerly of Clutch Points.

“There have also been reports linking the Clippers to Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, but sources have told ClutchPoints the reported interest has not been coming from the LA Clippers’ side,” Azarly said. “Additionally, the team is hard-capped at the first apron with this sign-and-trade of Dunn.”

This was echoed by Farbod Esnaashari of SI.com.

“As much as the Clippers desperately need a third star for an aging Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, it seems more likely that the team will stand pat with what they have now,” Esnaashari wrote. “Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank stated numerous times that he does not want the team to go over the second apron and that the team is focused on having the cap space for the 2026 free agency.”

Along with Dunn, the Clippers did sign guard Kevin Porter Jr., who spent last season in Greece following an NBA banishment. But who starts at the forward spot opposite of Leonard remains anyone’s guess, now that Paul George has left for the Philadelphia 76ers.

So yeah, the Clippers have at least one hole to fill. It seems for now, they will try to fill it from within. And why not? You have all the way until February to make another trade.