Jason Preston‘s salary guarantee date has been pushed back to October 1, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times tweets.
The Clippers agreed at the start of the month to move Preston’s guarantee date to July 18. If they hadn’t pushed it back for a second time, they would have had to decide on Tuesday whether to fully guarantee his $1,836,096 salary for next season.
The early second-round pick in 2021 has been sidetracked by injuries during his first two seasons. He missed his entire rookie campaign after undergoing right foot surgery, then appeared in just 14 NBA games last season. He recently revealed he underwent LASIK eye surgery and had another procedure to fix a deviated septum.
Preston, who spent most of ’22/23 playing for the Clippers’ G League affiliate, averaged 9.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.2 rebounds in Summer League competition this month.
The Clippers, of course, are rumored to be James Harden‘s preferred destination in a potential trade with Philadelphia. That possibility could have played a role in the team’s decision to delay Preston’s guarantee.
Trade bait.
They should release him so he can play for another team, where he will get some minutes
What are you talking about? He can’t stay healthy enough to play, no one wants him.
I get why the Clippers want to push it back, but what’s the incentive for Preston to agree to it? I doubt it gives him anything guaranteed or a better chance at a roster spot so it feels like he’s just voluntarily in limbo
Push back the date or we waive you
That was my first guess too but if they keep pushing it back I’d assume he’s getting waived either way
The small chance he gets his salary fully guaranteed as a salary-matching piece?
If Clippers were to sign a free agent, they wouldnt be able to directly aggregate his salary in a trade.
The longer he stays, the more salary he also has off course.
Get a hair cut, get your salary guarantee
I agree but he can sign on a 2 way or 10 day exhibit with another team.
He needs to develop and get some playing time.
He will be an All-Star one day.
In Germany