Zhaire Smith Is The NBA’s Next Human Highlight Reel

The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired Kris Dunn in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz as they send out Russell Westbrook, a second round pick swap and cash. Westbrook will agree to a buyout with the Jazz for the second time in two years and then join the Denver Nuggets.

Dunn will join the Clippers on a three-year, $17 million deal. Dunn, who is represented by Bernie Lee, averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 18.9 minutes over 66 games last season with the Jazz.

Westbrook, who is now represented by Jeff Schwartz after parting ways with his longtime agent Thad Foucher in 2022, averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 22.5 minutes over 68 games with the Clippers last season. Westbrook’s closest tie on the Clippers was Paul George, who also exited the team this offseason. Westbrook picked up his $4 million option with the Clippers to bypass free agency last month.

After the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs, a report surfaced that Westbrook had interest in leaving the franchise for a bigger opportunity next season. Westbrook and Nikola Jokic have long had interest in playing with each other.

The NBA has opened an inquiry into the circumstances around James Harden’s public critique of Daryl Morey in which he was called “a liar.” Harden also said he will never play for a team that also employs Morey.

The league is pursuing whether Harden was portending a hold out of the 23-24 season, or if he was referencing past contract discussions with the Sixers that could be a circumvention of the cap.

Harden has privately indicated that his public comments calling Morey a “liar” on Monday morning had only been a response to Morey ending trade discussions. Harden exercised his $35.6 million player option with the Sixers in late June with the expectation he would be traded.

The Sixers told Harden that they hadn’t found a workable trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and expect him to report to camp in September.

The Sixers were stripped of two second round picks for premature conversations last offseason with P.J. Tucker and Danuel House.