The Clippers kicked off their free agency by locking up a guy who already knows the system. Kobe Sanders is coming back to Los Angeles on a four-year contract worth $11.2 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 24-year-old guard will keep his spot on the bench where he carved out a real role last season.
Sanders was a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and he played 68 games for the Clippers last year with 16 starts. He put up 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 40.8% from three-point range. Those are solid numbers for a reserve, especially considering he’s 6-foot-8 and can slide between shooting guard, small forward and even some power forward minutes.
This signing came the same week the Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. That deal brought back Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and future draft picks. So the roster is getting a serious makeover. Sanders might find himself fighting for playing time with Bennedict Mathurin and Dick now, since Ingram is set to start at the three.
What Sanders Brings to a Shifting Lineup
The Clippers backcourt already has Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler as the starters. So Sanders’ path to minutes isn’t totally clear yet. But his size and shooting make him a useful piece off the bench. He played mostly backup shooting guard last season, but his versatility means the coaching staff can plug him in at multiple spots when someone needs a breather.
It’s a team-friendly deal for L.A. — $11.2 million over four years is cheap for a guy who shot 40% from deep and can defend multiple positions. Sanders isn’t a star, but he’s the kind of role player that contending teams need to stock up on. The Clippers front office made a point of bringing him back before testing the rest of the market, which suggests they see him as part of the long-term plan.
Whether he gets 20 minutes a night or ends up squeezed by the new additions depends on how the rotations shake out. But for now, Sanders is locked in and ready to go. The Clippers have their first piece of the post-Kawhi era signed and sealed.
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