Amidst the Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Brandon Boston decisions today, the Clippers made two smaller moves, declining the team option for Kai Jones and not tendering Moussa Diabate a qualifying offer. Both of these actions make those players unrestricted free agents.
Unlike Boston, the path for Moussa and Kai to return seems fairly open, per Law Murray of the Athletic. Moussa has only two years of NBA service, which means he can still sign one more two-way deal (Xavier Moon, who the Clippers also did not sign a qualifying offer for, can’t). Right now, therefore, Jordan Miller is the only guy signed to a two-way, with Trentyn Flowers and other Clippers’ summer league guys being in contention for the last two spots. It’s also possible Miller earns a full spot on the roster, as he had an excellent G-League season and is an older prospect.
Jones has not played at all with the Clippers after signing his deal at the tail end of this past season, but the Clips seem to have liked what they’d seen from him just being around the team in the playoffs.
Moussa and Jones are totally unrestricted, so it’s possible another team offers them a two-way or even a full NBA roster spot and that’s that. Based on their track records, I don’t think that option is super likely, so my guess is we will see both guys on the Clippers’ Summer League team and then probably in training camp.
Overall, the Clippers’ board is now set heading into free agency. Kawhi, Norm, Zu, Terance, Russ, Amir, Bones, PJ, and Kobe are all under contract on regular deals, Jordan Miller is on a two-way, and everyone else from last season’s team is a free agent. Let free agency begin!
