Sinking Ship
While Kimble’s NBA career did not pan out the way anyone imagined, Danny Manning was becoming the All-Star the Clippers hoped he could be. Manning averaged more than 20 points per game in back-to-back seasons in 1993-1994. Manning, however, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February of 1994 for Dominique Wilkins’ expiring contract and a first round pick.
After Manning’s departure, the LA Clippers struggled through the 1990s culminating in the drafting of Michael Olowokandi with the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. Taken at number 2 overall was Mike Bibby. Selected at number five was Vince Carter; at nine was Dirk Nowitzki; and with the tenth pick in the 1998 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics selected Paul Pierce.