When the time comes for the LA Clippers to make their pick and welcome him to Inglewood, California, the front office must be cautious about who they draft, as the best player may not be the best fit, and vice versa. LA needs a star out of this draft, and another fumble would only harm their developmental reputation even further.
Furthermore, the Clippers could be keeping their plans under wraps, ensuring that no sources learn what they have mapped out. At 30th overall, the Clippers’ dream prospect, Walter Clayton Jr., will likely be taken off the board, so the front office will have to pivot towards someone else who is experienced and fills a void.
Although the Clippers will have a handful of prospects that may fit, LA’s full attention should be centered on Johni Broome, a seasoned big man who ended his collegiate career with the Auburn Tigers.
Broome has perfected the right attributes to star in the NBA. Because of his five years worth of experience between Auburn and Morehead State, he would immediately become the Clippers’ backup center.
Johni Broome is who the LA Clippers should target with their first-round pick, assuming they stay put.
As Johni Broome is an elite defender with room for growth on offense, his pre-draft comparison is close to Draymond Green, the multi-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner of the Golden State Warriors.
The numbers back this comparison up, to a certain extent, as Broome averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. These numbers demonstrate his impact on both ends, and to add, his rebound and block averages led the SEC.
There are certainly differences between the skillsets of Broome and Green, but from a broad angle, the similarities are as evident as can be.
Moreover, what makes him a likely pick, if still available, is the fact that the LA Clippers have already brought him in for a pre-draft workout. This means he is already on the radar of executive Lawrence Frank, which is good news as the Clippers would be making a massive mistake by not meeting with him beforehand.
Nonetheless, drafting Broome is the blueprint the Clippers must abide by to draft and develop their next big man. He will have an excellent example to learn from, Ivica Zubac, and would be in a world of endless opportunities with James Harden overseeing the team’s playmaking duties.