Amid the wait for a decision from superstar free agent Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers and guard Rodney McGruder agreed to a three-year contract worth $15 million Tuesday.
The deal, confirmed by a source not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, does not impede the team's pursuit of Leonard, the NBA Finals MVP with Toronto. Leonard is still weighing whether to sign a maximum-salary deal with the Clippers, Lakers or Raptors.
By acquiring McGruder shortly before the end of the regular season, after Miami had waived the 6-foot-4 guard for cost-cutting reasons, the Clippers acquired his early Bird rights, which allow a team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own players.