4 Players Reportedly Competing For Clippers Final Opening Night Roster Spot After Recent FA Signings

Like Baldwin, Washington hasn’t been able to stick with an NBA team in his three seasons after being a first-round selection. The No. 29 selection in the 2022 draft has played 58 contests, including 16 with Phoenix last season. He had been on the free agent market since his two-way deal with the Suns concluded on July 1.

Washington has shown that he at least deserves to be considered for an NBA spot. Wasington has dominated the G-League during his three years as a pro and is coming off his best season this past year. The 6-3 guard averaged 21.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while committing just 2.4 turnovers this past season with the Valley Suns. Additionally, he made 2.8 threes a game with shooting splits of 46.9/41.1/78.9

Washington produced seven double-doubles, including a triple-double in 32 regular-season appearances. He scored in double-figures in 31 of his 32 appearances, topping the 20-point mark 20 times, including six occasions tallying 30 or more.

In addition, Washington was fabulous in two G-League playoff contests. Washington dropped 40 points and nine dimes against the Santa Cruz Warriors in Valley’s first-round victory. He then posted a 39-point, 13-rebound, and 12-assist triple-double in the Suns’ second-round loss to Stockton.

Trentyn Flowers

Flowers was on a two-way deal with the Clippers last season and re-upped with LA on July 1. The 20-year-old forward had an excellent rookie G-League campaign as he averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He also compiled three double-doubles and drained 1.7 triples with shooting splits of 47.5/38.3/74.

Flowers saw 26.5 minutes over six games with the Clippers this past. However, Flowers struggled a little bit during the Las Vegas summer league, but did show defensive ability. Flowers did score in double-figures four times in Vegas, though he struggled shooting the ball overall.

Jordan Miller

Miller, selected by the Clippers with the No. 48 pick of the 2023 draft,  had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal in March. The 25-year-old wing saw some quasi-regular run early in the season, and while he put his best numbers during this stretch, he struggled shooting and on the defensive end. He was released on July 8 before $350,000 of his 2025-26 salary was guaranteed. The Clippers re-signed him to a two-way deal in late July.

Miller ended up averaging 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds with shooting splits of 43,3/21.1/80.0 in 37 games. He scored in double-figures six times.

While Miller has struggled in limited NBA opportunities, the 2024 All-G-League first team selection has demonstrated he is too good for the minors. He also earned first-team all-Las Vegas summer league honors for the second straight year.

Kobe Sanders

The New York Knicks chose Sanders with the 50th pick in this year’s draft. He was traded to the Clippers the next day for Mo Diawara and the rights to Luka Mitrovic. The 23-year-old signed a two-way deal in early July.

Sanders played for the Clippers in Vegas. The 6-9 forward scored in double-figures in two of his five summer league performances. However, Sanders struggled overall as he averaged 6.6 points and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.4/28.6/75.

Last Word

It is hard to imagine Sanders being cut before he even gets a chance to develop. So, the competition should come down to Flowers, Miller, Washington, and Baldwin.

The Clippers wouldn’t have waived Baldwin to re-sign Miller if Miller wasn’t in their plans. Miller has demonstrated that while he still needs to continue to develop, he is an NBA-type player.

That would leave Washington, Baldwin, and Flowers in contention for the final 2-way deal. The Clippers don’t have a glaring need, though they could use some front-court depth. In that case, the versatile Baldwin would seemingly have the advantage as he is a good defensive rebounder. But he has proven to be an inefficient scorer and struggles with ball-handling.

Washington is probably the best player of the trio, but the Clippers don’t need another point guard. So, unless Washington dazzles during camp, he could be ticketed to  San Diego as an affiliate player.

Flowers could keep his two-way spot by default. If Baldwin and Washington don’t win a spot, it is hard to imagine the Clippers won’t keep the 6-9 forward around to continue his development.