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Missing the Can’t Miss NBA Draft: An LA Clippers Story

By Benjamin Criswell

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brice Johnson (North Carolina) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brice Johnson (North Carolina) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo that will be unveiled during the 2015-16 season at press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo that will be unveiled during the 2015-16 season at press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft and Trade

Continuing also with the Clipper theme of handing the Detroit Pistons back-to-back titles, and also the theme of the Clipper franchise trading Rookies of the Year; Adrian Dantley was selected sixth overall in the 1976 NBA draft. Dantley won rookie of the year in 1977 and was immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers. Dantley, moved from Indiana, to Utah, and then Detroit where he had seemingly found a home. However, in the infamous 1989 trade, Dantley was dealt  for Mark Aguirre of the Dallas Mavericks. Detroit went on to win the title in 1989 and again in 1990, making Jack McCloskey the best GM in Clippers history.

From Dantley we move to Terry Cummings, who was selected second overall by the Clippers in the 1982 draft. Cummings would follow much the same career path as Dantley. Cummings would win the Rookie of the Year Award in 1983, but would later be traded. Terry Cummings would finish his career as a two-time All-Star in 1985 and 1989.

The player selected third overall in the 1982 draft was Dominique Wilkins.

The next notable draft pick of the LA Clippers to win titles elsewhere was Bryon Scott, drafted fourth overall in 1983. Lakers GM Jerry West traded for Scott’s draft rights before the start of the 1984 season, sending Norm Nixon to the Clippers.

Rumor: Jerry West Hired to Lure LeBron

Scott ran the Showtime Lakers, along with former Clipper Bob McAdoo, who came off the bench during the Lakers ’82 and ’85 title runs.

Nixon never made it back to the playoffs. Jerry West:, second best GM in Clipper history. If you can beat ’em (for more than three decades) join ’em.