Day: September 5, 2024

The LA Clippers have signed E.J. Harkless to a training camp contract. Harkless is represented by Harrison Gaines and went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft out of UNLV.

In five Summer League games with the Clippers, Harkless averaged 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.3 minutes.

In 20 G League games last season with the Ontario Clippers, Harkless averaged 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 22.6 minutes.

The Denver Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency without an external replacement as the expectation is Christian Braun will take his place at shooting guard in the starting lineup. Calvin Booth has prioritized the development of Denver’s draft picks with the goal of building a sustainable contender, but that could come at the expense of their short-term success managed by Michael Malone.

“There are rumblings,” said Zach Lowe on his podcast this week. “Rumblings! That the coaching staff and front office, or at least the head coach and the front office, aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye in Denver. To a degree even unusual for the NBA.”

Malone signed an extension with the Nuggets early in the 23-24 season that reportedly runs through 26-27. Booth signed an extension in 2022 when he ascended to the top decision maker with the franchise after the departure of Tim Connelly. Booth’s deal expires after the 24-25 season.

Denver currently is navigating a potential extension for Jamal Murray, who would otherwise become a free agent in 2025. Aaron Gordon also soon becomes extension eligible and he has a player option for 25-26 that could allow him to test free agency.

Brandon Ingram did not attend a week-long voluntary minicamp in California last week, sources tell The Athletic. Ingram and Daniel Theis were the only members of the Pelicans’ roster who did not attend. The Pelicans believed Ingram would be there, but he never showed up for the camp held by his teammates.

While Ingram would like an extension with the Pelicans, they are not in a position to offer his four-year maximum of $207.8 million. The Pelicans already have Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum on significant contracts, while Trey Murphy is also eligible to sign a rookie scale extension.

The trade market for Ingram is also soft as rival teams are hesitant to earmark a contract for him in the range he will seek. Ingram, who counts Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler as his agents, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if an extension is not reached.

New Orleans is prepared to play out the season with Ingram on the roster and determine the fit of a starting lineup of him alongside Williamson, Murray, Murphy and Herb Jones.

Despite Ingram’s absence from the minicamp, he remains highly thought of figure within the franchise.

Ingram and the Pelicans quickly agreed to a rookie scale extension in November 2020 worth $158 million over five seasons. Ingram did not receive a player option for the fifth season of the deal, which was a topic of intrigue after the extension was first reported.