--- title: "Nick Martinelli lands with Clippers in post-draft trade shuffle" description: "The 2026 No. 55 pick is off to Los Angeles after brief stops in New York and Houston, setting up a fresh start with Doc Rivers’ roster." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/nick-martinelli-traded-to-clippers-3d85aca7 published: 2026-06-30T16:12:20.428+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T16:12:20.428+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Nick Martinelli lands with Clippers in post-draft trade shuffle > The 2026 No. 55 pick is off to Los Angeles after brief stops in New York and Houston, setting up a fresh start with Doc Rivers’ roster. Nick Martinelli, the No. 55 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has been traded from the Knicks to the Clippers after a brief stint with the Rockets. The three-team sequence began when the Knicks selected Martinelli with the final pick of the first round in June 2026. He never suited up for New York, instead joining the Rockets on a two-way contract in July. Houston waived him on October 18, 2026, clearing the path for the Knicks to flip his rights to Los Angeles in exchange for a 2029 second-round pick. The Clippers now hold Martinelli’s NBA rights and can invite him to training camp in Pasadena. At 6’6”, 205 lbs, he projects as a 3-and-D wing, a profile that fits the Clippers’ emphasis on interchangeable defenders and floor spacers. The team is thin at the wing after losing Kawhi Leonard to free agency and retaining only Paul George and James Harden as established perimeter scorers. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank acknowledged the roster’s need for depth: “We’re always looking for players who can contribute immediately on both ends. Nick’s profile gives us another option to evaluate in camp.” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue added: “We like his athleticism and shooting range. We’ll see how he fits within our system once we get him in front of us.” What's next: Martinelli will report to training camp in late September. The Clippers must decide by October 15 whether to convert his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract or waive him before the regular season begins. Why this matters: The trade underscores the NBA’s relentless roster churn, where late first-rounders can become trade chips within weeks. For Martinelli, it’s a chance to bypass the G League grind and audition for a guaranteed NBA deal in a competitive Western Conference playoff window. FAQ: What pick did Nick Martinelli cost the Clippers? The Clippers surrendered a 2029 second-round selection to acquire Martinelli’s rights from the Knicks. Did Martinelli play for the Knicks or Rockets? No. The Knicks drafted him and immediately moved him to Houston, where he was waived before the season opener. How tall is Nick Martinelli? Martinelli is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 205 pounds, fitting the modern NBA wing profile. When does Clippers training camp start? The Clippers open training camp in late September at their facility in Pasadena, California. What’s the Clippers’ roster outlook at wing? Los Angeles enters the season with Paul George and James Harden as primary wings, creating limited minutes for Martinelli unless he earns a role early. ## Why this matters The trade crystallizes how the NBA treats late first-rounders as movable assets, not guarantees. For Martinelli, it’s a pivot from G League limbo to a legitimate shot with a 50-win contender. The Clippers get another wing to audition, a position they’ve prioritized since losing Kawhi Leonard. The move also signals front offices are still fine-tuning rosters even after the draft and summer league, keeping the league’s roster carousel spinning into September. ## Frequently asked ### What pick did Nick Martinelli cost the Clippers? The Clippers surrendered a 2029 second-round selection to acquire Martinelli’s rights from the Knicks, a move that avoids immediate cap hit while adding developmental upside. ### Did Martinelli play for the Knicks or Rockets? No. The Knicks drafted him at No. 55 in 2026 and immediately traded him to Houston, where he was waived before the season opener without appearing in a regular-season game. ### How tall is Nick Martinelli? Martinelli is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 205 pounds, a wingspan profile that fits the NBA’s 3-and-D archetype and aligns with the Clippers’ defensive identity. ### When does Clippers training camp start? The Clippers open training camp in late September at their facility in Pasadena, California, with the roster evaluation period running through mid-October. ### What’s the Clippers’ roster outlook at wing? Los Angeles enters the season with Paul George and James Harden as primary wings, leaving limited minutes for Martinelli unless he earns a role early through defense or shooting. ## Sources & Citations - [Nick Martinelli: Traded to Clippers](https://www.rotowire.com//basketball/player/nick-martinelli-6979) — ClearSports (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Nick Martinelli lands with Clippers in post-draft trade shuffle. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/nick-martinelli-traded-to-clippers-3d85aca7