The Los Angeles Clippers need to make their two picks count in the 2016 NBA Draft and may even trade up, so which big names could fall to them late in the first round or early in the second?
We know the Los Angeles Clippers have minimal salary cap to improve their roster in free agency, we know next season may be their last run at a title with the current core, and we know that any player who can contribute is as vital as ever in such circumstances. Even for Doc Rivers, a head coach who hardly trusts rookies or young players with playing time, the importance of the 2016 NBA Draft needs to be embraced. Whether the Clippers trade up as reported or make the most of their two selections, they need to pursue a rookie or two that can help in a small role at the end of the bench.
For fans who are familiar with this lack of youth development, they must be pleased to hear that Doc is actually interested in moving up and accepting the value of the draft.
Well, what can the Clippers package together to trade up with?
There obviously aren’t many pieces at their disposal, unless they want to startle us by going incredibly draft-oriented this summer and trading a role player to move up higher. With that as such an unlikely scenario, though, some combination of the 25th pick, 33rd pick, C.J. Wilcox and Branden Dawson will likely be used.
Of course, the value with such a package isn’t too high and Wilcox and Dawson won’t bring much in return. Unfortunately, having limited options is something the Clippers will have to embrace this summer. But with their two picks, they could certainly move up into the top 20 if another team wants an extra selection. This is even more likely when considering the relatively similar standard of talent after the lottery, given that this class features more role player potential rather than star power.
If such a move up materializes, the Clippers could land the kind of talent they may have fallen in love with during workouts, hopefully adding someone who can contribute in a small role right away.
So, whether they surprise us a little by falling into the twenties or the Clippers are able to trade up high enough, these are some top players who could land in their range.
Next: A promising big man prospect at No. 33