The Los Angeles Clippers brought back another familiar face for a shot at making their 2025-26 roster. According to Sportac’s Keith Smith, the Clippers and their 2021 second-round pick, Jason Preston, have agreed to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal.
“The LA Clippers have signed guard Jason Preston to a training camp contract,” Smith tweeted.
2021 Second Round Draft Pick and The Clippers Reunite
Preston has bounced around the league the past two seasons. Injuries have plagued the 6-4 point guard throughout his career. Preston signed a two-way deal with Utah in January 2024 and attended training camp last fall with the club. He saw limited action with the Jazz during camp and played one contest for the Salt Lake City Stars before suffering a calf strain.
After getting waived by Utah, Preston had his G-League rights obtained by the Maine Red Claws, though he didn’t play for the Boston Celtics affiliate. He appeared in seven games for the Jazz in 2023-24, though he spent most of the campaign with Salt Lake City and the Memphis Hustle.
The Clippers traded into the 2021 second round to select the Ohio University product. The Clippers sent Orlando cash and a 2026 second choice (via Detroit).
Preston sat out his rookie season with a right foot injury. Preston split time with LA and Ontario, the Clippers’ G-League affiliate, appearing in 14 contests with the big league club. The Clippers released him before the 2023-24 season, though he almost immediately hooked up with the Memphis Grizzlies.
In 21 NBA career games, Preston has produced 2.5 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. He also has shooting splits of 40/23.8/0.
Other Clippers Reunions
Preston is not the only player who has reunited with the Clippers this summer. Chris Paul is back with the Clippers eight years and five teams later. Jordan Miller and Patrick Baldwin Jr. also rejoined the Clippers after being waived by the club.
Miller, a 2023 second-round pick of the Clippers, was released by LA this summer as the Clippers didn’t want to guarantee his 2025-26 salary. However, they re-signed him to a two-way deal three weeks later.
The Clippers released Baldwin from his two-way deal to make room for Miller. The Clippers recently agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Baldwin.
Can Jason Preston Make The Clippers
Preston is an excellent facilitator of the offense and has impeccable handles. While not an elite score, the 26-year-old has shown the potential to be a good shooter in the G-League and college, but that has yet to translate to the NBA. He has been very inefficient throughout his NBA opportunities — regular season, preseason, and summer league.
Preston has an uphill battle to make the Clippers. The Clippers have 14 players on standard contracts and are unlikely to add a 15th until later in the season, as they are $1.2 million below the first apron, where they are hard-capped.
The Clippers also have all three of their two-way spots filled with Miller, Trentyn Flowers, and Kobe Sanders occupying those spots. While it is unlikely that Preston is eligible for a two-way spot, he is entering his fifth campaign. The Clippers re-signed Baldwin Jr. and inked TyTy Washington to Exhibit 10 deals with the intent of them competing for a minor league deal.
With Preston’s signing, LA has filled 20 of its 21 training camp spots. The Clippers may add more players to a training camp deal, even cutting rookie Jahmyl Telfort before camp begins. Telfort, on an Exhibit 1o deal, is destined to spend the upcoming year with the Clippers’ G-League affiliate in San Diego. Expect Preston to join him in San Diego.
Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen, Imagn Images
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