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5 Greatest What-Ifs in LA Clippers History

By Seth Kimbrell

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers, Michael Olowokandi
LA Clippers Michael Olowokandi /

3. The 1998 Draft

The 1998 draft is sure to make an appearance on any “what if” list for the Clippers.

In the 1997-1998 season, the Clippers went a stunning 17-65 and secured the number one pick in the draft.

It’s hard to do much worse than they did by taking 7 footer Michael Olowokandi out of the University of the Pacific. The best record the Clips would ever have with the Kandi Man on the roster was 39-43 in 2001-02 when Olowokandi averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Not horrible for a role player. Not good at all for a 26-year-old former 1st overall pick.

Let’s have a look at some of the other players in the top 10 of that draft, and what they were averaging by the time that 2001-02 season rolled around.

At the #4 pick, there was Antawn Jamison, who was averaging 20/7 while Olowokandi was averaging 11/9.

At #5, Vince Carter, who was putting up 25/5/4. He would’ve been a really nice addition on the wing and would’ve given the Clips some star power they were sorely lacking.

Ditto for #9, Dirk Nowitzki. The big German was taken by Milwaukee here and traded to Dallas. Despite a rough start to his career, he was averaging 23/10 on 39.7% from three by 2001-02.

Double ditto for #10, Paul Pierce. The Truth was putting up 26/7/3 by that ’01-’02 season on greater than 40% from three.

Who knows how things would have turned out if the Clips went with any of those dudes instead of Olowokandi. But hey, any time you have the chance to pick up a 7 footer who can’t score or rebound at a high level with the number one pick, you have to do it.

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