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Could the LA Clippers Trade Into the First Round? Three Possible Deals

By Ethan Smith

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: A general view of the Official @NBA Spalding Basketball inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: A general view of the Official @NBA Spalding Basketball inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils smiles during a practice session ahead of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils smiles during a practice session ahead of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Clippers Make Surprising Offseason Splash Into Top 10

Yes, this might seem like a lot to take in, because it is.

First off, the Hawks must first obtain this pick, which is top-five protected. It will likely fall outside of the top-five, and with the Hawks rebuild already moving faster than expected, they could add a veteran forward in Gallinari as well as another project in Jerome Robinson on top of three draft picks for pick nine.

This would shock Clippers fans, but it would make an even bigger case for free agents to LA.

Who Would the Clippers Target?

Some players fall in the draft for whatever reason. Be it the most minor injury in high school or a lack of size, players fall all the time. Well, in this hypothetical, the Clippers strike gold and acquire Duke F Cam Reddish at pick nine.

This would be arguably the steal of the offseason if the Clippers were able to acquire Reddish. The Duke product stood pat behind Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett and still managed to produce on both sides of the basketball.

Reddish averaged 13.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 1.9 APG at Duke as a freshman, with his only concern being his sub-par 35 percent field-goal rating.

Reddish is yet another player that has the build to be a solid NBA player and the Clippers would be a good fit for him alongside SGA, Shamet and Lou Williams. Reddish is an awesome defensive player who forces turnovers and gets out in transition very well, causing problems for opposing squads with a team that already ranked 19th in defensive efficiency rating.

Other Options With This Possible Pick

  • F Rui Hachimura(Gonzaga)
  • F DeAndre Hunter(UVA)
  • G/F Jarrett Culver(TTU)
  • C Jaxson Hayes(Texas)
  • C Bol Bol(Oregon)

How Likely Is This Trade?

Not very likely at all. The Hawks have excelled so far in the rebuilding process but they could still add two solid young pieces with two top-ten draft picks. The value here may not be enough to sway the Hawks into trading out of the top ten with their second first-round pick. Would it be awesome to get a top-ten player, of course, but it likely won’y happen, but it is fun to dream.

Next. Second Rounders the LA Clippers Could Add in the Draft. dark

The Clippers have the assets and options to do plenty of funky things this offseason. Trading into the first round to get yet another solid, young player would be a smart decision as long as they don’t give up too much. The lottery is next week and the entire order will be decided for lottery and picks 15-27, but the Clippers have the opportunity to do something great and that could start with the 2019 NBA Draft.