LA Clippers: 3 things to look for in the second round of the NBA Draft

The LA Clippers should look for three things in the second round of the NBA Draft.

With a lack of draft picks going forward, the LA Clippers are going to have to capitalize any time they can in the NBA Draft. This season, they only own the 57th pick in the draft, just three away from the last possible pick.

Drafting late is hard, with so many players ultimately not paying off. Occasionally, though, a diamond in the rough can be unearthed. If the Clippers plan to do just that, here are three things they should keep an eye out for.

1. Picks for sale

While this doesn’t necessarily pertain to the team’s own 57th pick, it’s something that could really help them out. This year, picks being for sale seems a lot more likely. While the team has bought second round picks in the past, this year’s lack of money available to teams makes it seem like more than usual will be for sale.

Most owners don’t have the money that Steve Ballmer does so he should capitalize on that. The team can buy picks for cash, netting them a slightly more valuable position in the draft than their current pick does. If they can move up and get a more talented player, buying the pick is more than worth it.

2. A younger prospect

When picking in the second round, especially later in it, going young is probably the best bet. While the Clippers would probably benefit more from a “win now” type of player, they just won’t find that late in the draft. If you draft an older player, odds are the room for improvement just isn’t as great as someone with youth on their side.

Sure, 3 years is not much of a difference in the grand scheme of things but in basketball terms, it feels like a lifetime. The Clippers probably won’t find someone that will help their current roster, so why not find someone with youth that they can keep at the end of the bench or give time to grow in the G-League?

Granted, everything I am arguing can be invalidated by saying “What about Terance Mann last year? He picked 48th, played four years at Florida State, and still has room to grow!”

You’re right. But I would argue that he’s probably not far off from the player he will end his career as. Does that mean he can’t improve? No. I just think the window is smaller. Go for youth.

3. Need-based fit

This sort of contradicts the second point but if the opportunity presents itself, the Clippers should draft someone who fits a hole on their roster. No, this doesn’t necessarily mean I think that they will be getting a regular rotation guy at 58th but if they can only sign one other true center or point guard in the offseason (two of their biggest needs), adding a rookie who can be an end of bench depth guy makes sense.

There are plenty of raw players available in the second round, especially at the point guard position. The team could look to move up and grab someone like a Tre Jones or Cassius Winston. Both aren’t fully NBA ready but can come in and contribute enough, especially as a third option at the point guard.

In case of injury, having someone who you got in the draft and trust can be huge. The Clippers don’t have a ton of space in free agency to add talent, so doing so in the draft is probably their best bet.