Clippers: A (Very) Early Look at the Draft
The Los Angeles Clippers have been on vacation for nearly two weeks.
It's been quiet and will remain quiet until May 22nd when the NBA will hold its Draft Lottery in Syracuse.
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently slotted as the 14th pick. Though a lucky bounce might catapult them to a top three pick, the odds are very, very small.
If they could land Greg Oden or Kevin Durant it would be a boon . . . but the Los Angeles Clippers have to anticipate that they will indeed stay at 14.
Before the lottery, there is very little buzz.
What the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics do over the summer will certainly be dictated by their seedings. It's too difficult to anticipate offseason moves when it's possible for a team like the Minnesota Timberwolves to pair Kevin Garnett with a prospect like Oden.
Once the order is official, teams will begin to explore trade opportunities, draft prospects and free agent lists.
The good news is that there are some very solid players in the draft.
At this early juncture it's reasonable to assume that the following players might go in the top 11:
Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Brandan Wright, Al Hoford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert, Julian Wright, Yi Jianlian, Mike Conley Jr. and Jeff Green.
Players closer to the Los Angeles Clippers range could include Al Thornton, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young, Nick Young, Acie Law and Tiago Splitter.
Other names that should be available at 14: Rudy Fernandez, Josh McRoberts, Brandon Rush, Jason Smith and Arron Afflalo.
There's no sense yet who the Los Angeles Clippers would target. Looking at the roster, the team is still very close to being a solid playoff team. Considering how badly the Yaroslav Korolev project has developed, LA would probably be interested in a player who is NBA ready.
With Sam Cassell aging rapidly, Shaun Livingston out for much or even all of the upcoming season and three free agents at the one (Daniel Ewing, Will Conroy and Jason Hart), the Los Angeles Clippers could look for an additional point guard. Law and Conley would be solid picks though the team also has the rights to Guillermo Diaz who has currently been playing overseas.
If the Los Angeles Clippers decide to keep Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley and Quinton Ross, the need at shooting guard may be minimal. It would seem more likely that LA would either go for a one or a three if they don't go for a big man.
While Corey Maggette, Tim Thomas, James Singleton, Korolev and Ross all can play small forward, the Los Angeles Clippers could probably use another swingman where a player like Jeff Green could be useful. It's not clear if the team will bring back Singleton or Korolev.
Thomas got most of the minutes backing up Elton Brand at the four. Though both Paul Davis (only partially guaranteed) and Aaron Williams are under contract, neither contributed much last season. That's where the team could use the most help, a player who can adequately back up both power positions.
Also on the horizon is Sofocles Schortsianitis who is also overseas. The Los Angeles Clippers have his rights and have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to bring him to LA. Depending on who the best player available in the draft is for the Los Angeles Clippers, they may decide to spell Elton Brand and Chris Kaman with the prospect from Greece.
As frustrating as the season was, the Los Angeles Clippers want to get right back out there to reestablish themselves as a playoff power. They'll have to be patient as the offseason has barely begun.
Next step . . . May 22nd.
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