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Clippers Roundtable: Grading every 2015 free agency signing

By Pete D. Camarillo

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Branden Dawson (22) warms up before game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Branden Dawson (22) warms up before game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Branden Dawson

Grade: D

Tom West: Branden Dawson is here as extra. The Clippers’ free agent signings stole the show as fans got excited at the prospect of The Truth coming to L.A., meaning that someone the team only entered the draft with the 57th pick for got overlooked. And as the season went on, with Dawson floating around the D-League and racking up all of 29 total minutes playing time for the Clippers, it was obvious he was never going to crack the rotation.

To be honest, it was expected. It’s common knowledge that Doc Rivers doesn’t freely give up playing time to his rookies and young players, and 2015-16 was no different. C.J. Wilcox, now in his second year with the Clippers, has only totalled 268 minutes in 44 appearances.

With the 29-minute sample of Dawson in mind, it’s almost impossible to give him a grade when there really isn’t anything worth grading. We weren’t expecting him to play and with his total lack of range on offense, his rebounding, athleticism, versatile switching on defense, and high motor were never going to be enough to earn him many minutes.

Although, if you want to know his numbers (or lack thereof), he recorded five points, four rebounds and one block in his entire rookie year.

So, to give Dawson a “C” seems rather generous. He really hasn’t done anything, at least for the time being. He’s had the chance to improve in the D-League, though, and footage has emerged to reveal his jumper looking a little smoother than in the past. Ultimately, his “D” grade is a reflection of his absence this season (partly thanks to Doc, of course) and there being no certainty to receive many minutes again next season.

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