In Christopher Kline's latest NBA mock draft for FanSided, the Thunder select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 3 pick (per Tankathon) that they acquired in the Paul George-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. It's yet another reminder of the price that the Clippers paid, losing a future NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP for George, who never reached those heights in LA.
If only the 6-18 Clippers had a top prospect in what is a loaded 2026 draft lottery class to look forward to. Los Angeles comprised a lineup made up of aging veterans, a plan that quickly turned into flames. Knowing that a player like Dybantsa was coming to town would help ease the pain.
Instead, the Clippers don't have a first-round pick at all. There is no incentive for Los Angeles to lose, but if you looked at the standings, you wouldn't know that.
Just when you think it can't get worse for the Clippers, it does. They can't stop getting in their own way, on and off the court. Between the Aspiration scandal, sending franchise legend Chris Paul home on a road trip, and helping the Thunder, who are 24-1, somehow get even better, LA is a dumpster fire.
Thunder use pick from Clippers to draft Dybantsa in mock draft
Dybantsa is averaging 20.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Cougars, shooting 54.2% from the field and 36.4% from three. The 18-year-old is coming off his best game of the season, a career-high 28 points (9-of-17), nine rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes in BYU's 67-64 win over Clemson. The Cougars were down 43-22 at the half, but Dybantsa had 22 points in the second half, one more point than the Tigers had as a team.
Los Angeles will be haunted by whoever Oklahoma City gets, and knowing the Clippers' luck, the Thunder will walk away from the draft lottery with the No. 1 pick. They could use that to select Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cam Boozer. Any one of that trio could end up hearing their name called first in June.
As much as fans would love to have a young star call Intuit Dome home, it's also best for whoever OKC drafts that they won't end up in Los Angeles. The Clippers are, and have been, dysfunctional. It's not exactly a situation you want to find yourself in. So, you're welcome, Dybantsa, if you're the one who goes to the Thunder.