Kobe Sanders agrees to $11.2 million contract with Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers made a splash move on Tuesday after trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and future draft compensation. With the free agency window open, the front office made its first signing, as Kobe Sanders is heading back to L.A.

Reports indicate that the 24-year-old guard is signing a four-year, $11.2 million contract with the Clippers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Sanders appears to be retaining his bench role with the organization on a team-friendly deal.

“Kobe Sanders is returning to the Clippers on a four-year, $11.2 million deal, per Shams Charania,” said ClutchPoints’ page on X.

A second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Sanders appeared in 68 games with the Clippers last season, starting in 16. In his limited role, he proved to be a solid contributor, averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and 40.8% from beyond the three-point line.

At 6-foot-8, Sanders could have the opportunity to play several positions for the Clippers next year. He served as the club’s backup shooting guard in the 2025-26 campaign, but his size allows him to potentially step in at small forward or power forward if need be.

His role moving forward, however, does not appear to be entirely clear. The front office paired point guard Darius Garland with former Illinois Fighting Illini star Keaton Wagler in the backcourt. With Brandon Ingram set to fill in as the starting small forward, Kobe Sanders could be competing for playing time with Bennedict Mathurin and Gradey Dick.