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LA Clippers: “Re-Drafting” the 2018 Lottery

By Ryan Snellings

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver poses with (L-R) Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Mikal Bridges, Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Jaren Jackson, Aaron Holiday, Chandler Hutchison and Zhaire Smith pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver poses with (L-R) Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Mikal Bridges, Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Jaren Jackson, Aaron Holiday, Chandler Hutchison and Zhaire Smith pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic and Mohamed Bamba pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic and Mohamed Bamba pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

3. Trae Young – PG

2018-19 Stats: 19.1 PTS, 42% FG, 3.7 REB, 8.1 AST, 0.9 STL

Everyone still has the right to condemn the Hawks for getting Trae Young while giving up Luka Doncic. But don’t get it too twisted. Trae can still play.

The 6’2″ point guard has been compared to Stephen Curry at times and with good reason. He can hit some crazy shots. He had nine games in which he scored 30 points or more, including that incredible 49 point outing in a quadruple overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls in March.

The Hawks are becoming one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA and if Young, Collins and Huerter all make decent progress, it’s not crazy to think they could slide into the Eastern Conference Playoffs as an eight seed.

2. Deandre Ayton – C

2018-19 Stats: 16.3 PTS, 59% FG, 10.3 REB, 1.8 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.9 BLK

In most other years, Deandre Ayton at one wouldn’t have been inconceivable. He had an impressive all around year, especially on the defensive end where you could see him making huge strides.

The big man played in 71 games for the Suns and averaged a double-double for the season. There were nights where he looked locked in defensively, even stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo one-on-one.

The Suns aren’t set up too badly with Ayton, Bridges and Booker, but they are still a ways away from competing. Thankfully for Ayton, this just means more time to get touches with no real pressure as he looks to improve his game even more.

1. Luka Doncic – PG/SG/SF

2018-19 Stats: 21.2 PTS, 42% FG, 7.8 REB, 6.0 AST, 1.1 STL

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Luka Doncic looked like one of the most comfortable rookies to ever step on the court. Yes, there was a little bit of a drop off towards the end of the year, but Luka-mania is real.

Doncic led all rookies in scoring, was second in assists and fifth in steals. He hit game winning shots, played good defense and will have Kristaps Porzingis as a running mate going forward.

It’s Luka’s world and we are just living in it.

Next. Clippers Have Been Embracing Analytics Recently. dark

After looking back at this rookie class, it’s clear to see that the LA Clippers did pretty well for themselves. No, Jerome Robinson doesn’t appear to be worth the 13th pick in the draft (at least, not yet) but both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet greatly outplayed their draft positions.

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