Although the LA Clippers’ front office has excelled in superstar negotiation and money management, their draft committee is evidently full of flaws. The last perfect choice they made was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018. However, we all know the outcome after his rookie year unfolded.
Since then, almost everyone they have selected is either mediocre or playing overseas. This list includes Jerome Robinson, Mfiondu Kabengele, Daniel Oturu, Keon Johnson, and Kobe Brown.
Rather, the Clippers have done better in the second round through a successful stint with Terance Mann and are currently still developing Jordan Miller, who was switched to an official, standard contract this season.
Moreover, the Clippers also made a senseless decision by not selecting Michael Porter Jr. in 2018. Denver took him 14th overall right after LA’s 13th pick, and years later, the sharpshooter revealed that LA’s team doctors made false projections, which decreased his stock.
Making an irregular draft blunder is justifiable, as not every executive and ownership group is perfect, but this sequence for the Clippers has occurred one too many times. Therefore, fans question, what will happen on June 25th at picks 30 and 51?
Executive Lawrence Frank, owner Steve Ballmer, and the LA Clippers have no room for error in the 2025 NBA Draft
With their first and second round picks this year, the LA Clippers can recover by observing correctly. They need a youthful group in the front and back court, so these selections will be crucial to their potential bright or dark future.
Furthermore, draft picks are not always used for choosing. The Clippers have other options via trade, as they can move up and aim for the moon, or let everything go and acquire a veteran name that suits Tyronn Lue’s rotation.
It has been a while, but both strategies have been utilized before. LA pursued Keon Johnson by trading up in 2021, and Luke Kennard was brought in on draft night in November of 2020.
From either perspective, these picks heavily imply what the next chapter could entail. Additionally, what adds significance to this summer in particular is that the front office does not have a first in 2026 or 2028.
That said, the freedom of having two picks, one in each round, is standard for basically every franchise, but the Clippers, hence why the front office has no excuse to fumble a golden opportunity in June.