It’s official: with the 36th overall pick, the LA Clippers selected Baba Miller, a near-seven-foot senior who ended his college career with the Cincinnati Bearcats. This was a great choice, and one that cements the Clippers’ future center rotation, with Yanic Konan Niederhauser included. But choosing Miller also makes the future of Brook Lopez as clear as can be; he won’t be back for the last year of his contract.
Lopez would basically just be taking up space on the second unit, which the Clippers certainly cannot afford, if his $9.1 million team option is exercised. That’s a straight-up waste of money.
At this point, only time stands in the way of Lopez’s spot being passed on to Miller. Until then, fans should take as much time as they can to soak in the moment and truly enjoy the type of player LA just drafted in the second round. He could have a strong impact on day one.
Brook Lopez forced the Clippers into drafting a center like Baba Miller
Although he played 75 games, which is an excellent level of availability in today’s NBA, Brook Lopez disappointed heavily. He was extremely sluggish on both sides of the ball, didn’t shoot well from the field at 42.8%, and ultimately let the world know through his play that Father Time was catching up to him.
So, in the grand scheme of things, Lopez essentially made the LA Clippers draft Baba Miller. Another year with the veteran big man running the show at the center position would be the true definition of a nightmare.
And, to say the least, Miller is the prototypical player to replace Lopez with.
Miller progressed throughout his college years, playing for three schools in four years, and ended his senior season averaging 13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks, shooting 52.9% from the field.
Additionally, Miller showed a willingness to let his shot fly from distance, averaging 1.9 attempts per game. That’s certainly a green flag, especially with the way the league is trending for big men.
The best part? The film. Miller showcased, time and time again, that he is an athletic beast who can make plays, thrive off the ball, and handle the ball very well.
That said, Lopez dragged the Clippers into taking this route, and it’s one to be excited about, as Miller is a first-round talent that somehow, some way, slipped to night two.
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