Pick number 59 has been announced, and the NBA Draft has officially been concluded. Countless teams improved, others took risks, and the LA Clippers were somehow in between with their picks of Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Kobe Sanders. Both are solid, with potential, but executive Lawrence Frank made crucial mistakes in rounds one and two.
In the first round, he was not aggressive at all and missed a future All-Star in Walter Clayton Jr. With the 51st pick, Frank traded up, but it was just to move up one pick ahead for Sanders. This transaction took place a little too late, as Tyrese Proctor, someone who would have starred in the Clippers’ future, was taken 49th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite these pivotal mistakes, Frank and LA’s front office still had a chance to redeem themselves in the undrafted market. Numerous talents did not hear their name called, and this should motivate the Clippers to be as aggressive as can be in negotiations.
Moreover, the prime example LA should have in bold is Austin Reaves, who worked his way up in the Los Angeles Lakers rotation after going undrafted in 2021. Sure, this path required resilience and hard work from Reaves’ end, but it must serve as a reminder to the Clippers that a star can still be found after the initial 60 picks are called.
That said, with teams flying left and right to sign their ideal young free agents, the Clippers made moves of their own in utter silence.
The LA Clippers remained quiet in the undrafted free-agent market, with others snagging the top names available
Although players like Mark Sears, Hunter Dickinson, and Hunter Sallis were lured away by their rivals, the LA Clippers made some moves of their own that could yield positive results if the rest of the summer unfolds as hoped.
Furthermore, the Clippers did not react right away but eventually signed Jahmyl Telfort, a point guard from Butler, and John Poulakidas, a shooting guard from Yale.
Both of these players, along with Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Kobe Sanders, will receive minutes at some point in the NBA Summer League. Their approach to the amount they are playing will speak volumes, as this could point them toward a later opportunity with the San Diego Clippers.
These undrafted free agents must remember they were signed for a reason and that their moment to shine is inevitable. It will just take longer than usual, as their name was not announced.