Potential 2016 NBA draft prospect Malik Pope, an athletic, 6’10” forward from San Diego State, is schedule to work out with the Los Angeles Clippers this weekend.
The Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to make a couple of respectable acquisitions in the 2016 NBA draft, armed with the 25th and 33rd overall picks. It’s a far better position than they were in last year as they only entered at the last minute to take Branden Dawson after acquiring the 56th pick from the New Orleans Pelicans, which (theoretically) gives the Clippers a chance to land some more young talent with even more promise this year.
It’s an intriguing element of their summer, and even though there obviously isn’t much chance of landing anyone who will immediately improve the team and Doc Rivers rarely gives many minutes to his young players, the Clippers need to balance out their heavy contracts and near 40-year-old players like Paul Pierce and Pablo Prigioni.
Ideally, the Clippers should start thinking about a new wing or forward to compliment that weaker element of their rotation, and that’s exactly what they’re doing according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, who has reported that the team are set to workout San Diego State sophomore forward Malik Pope.
San Diego State’s Malik Pope told ESPN he will work out for the Los Angeles Clippers this weekend.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 3, 2016
At 6’10” with excellent fluidity, speed, and a 7’2″ wingspan, Pope has great potential with his physical attributes. With such length and quickness for someone his size, his defensive upside is something that immediately stands out. Already in college, he’s shown off his strong rebounding ability and growing potential of being able to guard multiple positions once he enters the NBA. Even before he gains the muscle and strength to compete against opposing power forwards in the paint, Pope’s length and lateral quickness outside makes him a nuisance for many perimeter players.
Offensively, Pope has also shown serious potential with his explosive finishes at the rim, impressive transition scoring, solid handle to create off the dribble for someone his size, and a smooth, quick release from outside (shooting 37.3 percent from three, averaging one make in his 21.3 minutes per game).
Slightly holding him back for the time being, though, is his decision making, with taking contested threes, forcing too many drives through traffic, and not moving the ball to his teammates enough being key issues.
That being said, these are all weaknesses than can improve with time, and the physical tools and shooting touch to build upon is certainly there.
However, while Pope is set to workout for the Clippers, he isn’t necessarily going to be entering the 2016 NBA draft. As Mark Zeigler of The San Diego Union-Tribune has discussed, Pope is only an alternate for the Draft Combine, and has until May 25th to hire an agent to pursue the NBA draft or return to college:
"San Diego State sophomore Malik Pope is currently an alternate for the NBA Draft Combine later this month in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean he is ready to announce he’s returning to college ball."
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"New NCAA rules allow underclassmen to attend the combine as well as one workout per NBA team without jeopardizing their eligibility, as long as they don’t hire an agent. The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft is May 25…The combine begins May 11 and Pope could still land an invite if other players get hurt or pull out. But not being among the 70-odd players invited is a pretty good indication that the NBA, so far at least, is not projecting that you’ll be selected in the two-round, 60-pick draft next month."
For a player like Pope, who could take major strides forward just by developing his IQ and adding more strength to his lanky, 6’10” frame, an extra year in college could go a long way to improving him as a player and improving his future chances in the NBA draft.
Next: Should Clippers sign a new backup point guard in free agency?
Either way, if he decides to enter the draft this season or next year instead, he could be someone the Clippers are looking to snatch up with a pick around the mid-way point of the draft. At the very least, Pope is a forward with a highly promising future.