May 16, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Glen Rice Jr is interviewed during the NBA Draft combine at Harrison Street Athletics Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Since we are no draft experts over here at Fully Clips, I’ve decided to throw together excerpts from several mock drafts that hint at whom the Los Angeles Clippers are going to take with the 25th overall pick in this years NBA Draft. Based on need this team either needs a shooting guard or a center. Here you go:
NBADraft.Net – SG Allen Crabbe
CBS Sports:
Matt Moore: SG Kentavious Gladwell-Pope
Jeff Goodman: C Jeff Withey
NBA.com’s Scott Howard Cooper – SG Glen Rice Jr.
"The long road back (D-League stop helps college washout revive his NBA dream) for the son of the former All-Star small forward includes playing for the Rio Grande Vipers after being kicked off the team at Georgia Tech. He will get a lot of tough questions from executives trying to determine if he has learned from past mistakes."
CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman – SF Dario Saric
"The 19-year-old is a good passer and is extremely versatile. He’ll need to get stronger and work on his jumper, but he could fit in well if the Clippers stay intact."
Sheridan Hoops’ Joe Kotoch – C Jeff Withey
"Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were among the best big duos in the league this season, but the Clippers played them heavy minutes due to a lack of options off the bench.Withey would provide the Clippers with a valuable reserve big who could pick up right where Jordan left off; blocking shots, rebounding and getting easy buckets underneath. He may not be an athlete, but the way he contested shots in college illustrates how he can help Los Angeles.As a team that aspires to contending for titles, Los Angeles wants players who can contribute. Withey will do that."
Rotoworld’s Steve Alexander – SG Allen Crabbe
"The Clippers have a need at shooting guard, with Willie Green getting a lot of starts and Jamal Crawford embracing the role of sixth man. Crabbe is a shot maker, likes to run off screens and has a solid offensive game, which should work well with the Clippers’ offense."
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix – C Jeff Withey
"The Clippers could sorely use a more offensive-oriented option at center. Withey isn’t it, but he is a big, skilled defender who can fill in at either frontcourt spot and provide protection for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in case of foul trouble. Withey isn’t the type of player who creates offense for himself, but he’s athletic and a good finisher, and playing alongside Chris Paul would undoubtedly jack up his production."
Draft Express/Yahoo! Sports Jonathan Givony – SG Allen Crabbe
"Clippers’ No. 1 priority this summer will be to re-sign Chris Paul, which could give them the flexibility to use the highly coveted Eric Bledsoe as trade bait to improve their roster over the summer. Bledsoe is actually the only non-starter with a guaranteed contract next season, meaning the front office could have plenty of holes to fill on the wing and in the frontcourt.Since its unlikely the team will find a point guard ready to play a real role with what’s available on the board in this current scenario, adding a knockdown shooter like Allen Crabbe could be attractive.He has the length to play either wing position, giving him the flexibility to play alongside Jamal Crawford or Caron Butler, depending on the situation."
SB Nation’s Jonathan Tjarks – C Kenny Kadji
"The one piece the Clippers really need is a big man who can stretch the floor for Blake Griffin. Kadji is a 6’11, 245-pound center who shoots 35 percent from three. He may only do one thing, but it’s a valuable thing to do."