NBA Draft: 13 times the LA Clippers left stars on the board

10. 1989 NBA Draft

Clippers Select: Danny Ferry (2)

Still on the Board: Sean Elliot (3), Glen Rice (4), Mookie Blaylock (12), Tim Hardaway (14), Dana Barros (16), Shawn Kemp (17), BJ Armstrong (18), Vlade Divac (26), Clifford Robinson (36)

While none of the players the Clippers passed on in this draft would make any short lists of greatest players of all-time, the sheer number of future All-Stars the Clippers looked over in order to draft Danny Ferry out of Duke is mind-boggling.

Ferry was coming off a stellar college career where he helped lead Duke to three Final Four appearances, twice winning MVP of the East Regional along the way. He was a two-time All-American and still holds the Duke record for most points in a single game with 58. In 2002, he was named one of the 50 greatest men’s basketball players in the history of the ACC.

Ferry was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Reggie Williams in exchange for Ron Harper and future draft picks before he ever suited up for Clippers.

The biggest misses from the bunch of passed-on future stars would most likely be Shawn Kemp, the rim-rocking forward that helped lead Seattle to the NBA Finals, and Tim Hardaway, the smooth-handling point guard known for his quickness, dribbling, and scoring-ability. The pair would combine for 11 All-Star appearances, eight All-NBA teams, and countless highlight reel plays between them.

The Clippers also missed out on having the steady and reliable careers of future All-Stars Sean Elliot, Glen Rice and Vlade Divac.

Guards Mookie Blaylock, Dana Barros, and BJ Armstrong were each selected to play in a single All-Star game in their careers. Portland found a steal deep in the draft when they selected future All-Star, two-time All Defensive team member, and 1992-93 Sixth Man of the Year Clifford Robinson 36th overall.