[inukawaii8Participant]

Can a lost season actually be a good thing? This might be true for the Clippers. Everyone on this forum knows that 2012 NBA draft might be one of the best drafts in recent years. There are several potential franchise players. As of now, the Clippers own two first round picks in the 2012 draft: Minnesota’s first round pick and their own first round pick. However, Boston may get the lesser of their two picks if either one of the picks is outside of top 10 selection. A lost season would most likely mean that the 2012 draft will be selected in the order of worst record to the best record from 2010-2011 season. That is, a lost season will guarantee the Clippers to have two top 10 picks (1^st and 8^th). On the other hand, if there is a 2012 season, the Clippers will most likely not have two top 10 picks since the Clippers is a much improved team and will most likely contend for the last playoff spot in the western conference, and the lottery system simply don’t guarantee that the Minnesota’s pick will be number 1.

 

For the 2012-2013 season, the Clippers have 6 players under contract.

PG: Mo Wiliam, Eric Bledsoe

SG: Eric Gordon

SF: Al Aminu, Ryan Gomes

PF: Blake Griffin

The Clippers will most likely sign DeAndre Jordan to an extension since he has proven himself to be a very good defensive big man and work very well with Blake in the post.

 

As of the 2012 draft, the Clippers will most likely choose Andre Drummond with the first pick. Although center might not be Drummond’s true position in the NBA, he will certainly be an upgrade over Jordan. The Clippers may then go several directions for the number 8 pick. They may choose Marquis Teague or Myck Kabongo as their future PG. Kabongo might be a better fit since Gordon and Griffin are already capable scorer, and they would need a point guard who loves to distribute the ball. They may go for a SF. 2012 might have many great SFs: Barnes, McAdoo, Miller, Perry Jones, Terrance Jones, Kidd-Gilchrist, and etc… If any of them is available at number 8, the Clippers would be more than happy to grab one of the SFs.

Another possibility is that the Clippers pick Barnes 1^st as their SF for the future and pick one of the PGs mentioned above.

Not to mention, the Clippers should have decent cap space regardless of the new CBA agreement. I, however, doubt they will sign any big names unless they are called Howard or Paul. They will most likely stay put like what Thunders did since they already have many good young pieces on the team. They will most likely add experienced role players to the team. If all these happen, I will say my bold prediction now: the Clippers will be a top 4 or top 5 team in the Western Conference come 2013 playoff, and a force to be reckon with for the next 3 or 4 years.

I know this is way too early and there are so many uncertainties, but with the season in jeopardy, I can’t help to think about some random stuff that would keep me excited about the NBA

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

I would love to see this trade:

Clippers receive: Chris Paul
Hornets receive: Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe

Then Clippers lock up Paul long-term. Hornets get a promising young PG and an expiring contract, and a horrible won-loss record which could land them a top pick. The salaries match.

Forget drafts. Paul-Gordon-Aminu-Griffin-Jordan. Are you kidding me? I could see plenty of Thunder-Clippers showdowns in the Western conference finals over the next decade!

[M-DYMESParticipant]

I bet you would love to see that trade.  You don’t happen to be a clippers fan per se?

 

Even with Paul entering a final year of his contract, with FA in the balance, teams would still fork over far beyond Kaman and Bledsoe.  Throw in Aminu as well and I’m still not sure if the Hornets jump on it.  I think they would be able to get much better value that an aging and injury prone bigman and a nice young PG prospect who really hasn’t show greatness yet by any means. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

No, I’m not a Clippers fan per se, I’d just love to see that group together. And I agree, there might be a better haul they could get from another team. Maybe they do toss in Aminu, maybe they even find a third team to sweeten the deal for New Orleans. But if CP3 outright says he’s not re-signing, that gives other teams considerable leverage knowing that they need to get something for him.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 somehow Sterling will screw this up

[Charlie SheenParticipant]

I say pick Drummond #1 and Kidd-Gilchrist #2, Bledsoe is more than capable of being the PG of the future you just have to let him play of course, Sign Jeff Green this summer and let him play 3/4, trade for Ramon Sessions as the back up PG

Clippers Core

Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon- Big 3

Eric Bledsoe and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist- other starters

Deandre Jordan- Big off the bench

Travis Leslie- back up 2 Guard, perimeter defender

Jeff Green- scorer off the bench 3/4

Ramon Sessions- back up PG

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Has made the only viable post on here thus far (other than Sterling screwing it up, which while true, really can just be assumed rather than said). With this being said:

• inukawaii8: We are not having a season, so lets just give everyone who did badly the season before a good pick without letting them play a game. I mean, it could have happened anyway? In other words, not happening. They will either do a combination of a number of seasons or some kind of weighted lottery. Either way, the Clippers should be in good position, but your breakdown tells us very little we did not already know. They also only have 6 guys right now under contract until than, but they will re-sign DeAndre Jordan, Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie will seemingly get two year deals and than you would also have to take account that the draft picks from 2012 would have to be accounted for. Plus, Eric Gordon is not coming cheap, and his extension will start in 2012-13. So, cap not looking as nice. Definitely something to work on in the future.
•  
• Andrew1984: No, dude. I understand that you want Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to play on the same team, would be awesome. But, that trade would be absolutely insane highway robbery. Their is no way that trade happens, it would be absolutely ridiculous for the Hornets. They would be better off letting Chris Paul walk and rebuilding through the draft than taking that screw job of a trade.
•  
• Charlie Sheen: As always, cuckoo bananas. Why would they sign Jeff Green for 8-9 million dollars? Makes so little sense, especially if you are building a team with a possible front court including Griffin, Aminu and Kidd-Gilchrist. It just makes very little long term sense to sign Green, who I doubt takes a penny less than 8 million. Also, why trade for Ramon Sessions as a back-up PG? They already have Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe. Who would they trade for Sessions, and why are they desperate to become the Cleveland Cavaliers? It makes very little fiscal sense to do these two moves in your scenario. Than, if you get to Griffin, Bledsoe, Kidd-Gilchrist and Drummond needing extensions, good luck.

[joecheck88Participant]

I dont think Clippers can get Paul without giving up Aminu & Bledsoe & 2012 Minny pick and possibly theirs.

I don’t know how the draft would work but it would seem the Clippers would have a real chance at 2 top 5 picks either way.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

DeAndre Jordan would be a huge priority if I am the Clippers front office.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Jordan is a priority, but if some dumb team gives him an insane offer… I don’t match that if I’m the Clippers. Especially not with Eric Gordon’s re-up coming soon.

I like Jordan a lot (was the only one defending him on here once upon a time), but he’s way more sizzle than steak right now.

Gordon told me Jordan has gotten A LOT better this summer though. I’m anxious to see if that is true. Gordon usually doesn’t exaggerate, so I’m expecting a very good season from Jordan.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 @indianabasketball…

do you know eric gordon personally or something?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Yea, I’ve been knowing him and his family for forever. His grandma actually taught my mom back when she was in middle school. Real coo and down to Earth people.

Most of the players from the area know each other though, past and present. Either went to middle school, high school, etc together or played as rivals. The younger ones looked up to the old ones, and the old ones oversaw the younger ones. Then there’s AAU ball. All of the hoops workouts… Then through training, etc. Tight knit group in the Indianapolis area.

 

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

1. Why would Eric Gordon resign an extension with The Clippers??? as they will likely still suck in a year and apparently still be drafting in the Top 5…plenty of Winning Teams with Owners NOT Named Donald Sterling( AKA the Most Racist owner in pro-sports)

2. Why would Blake Griffin resign when his contract is expired??? No one wants to play second fiddle and "Playing in the House The Lakers built" will certainly pigeon hole him As The Best 2nd Fiddle in The NBA…Then There is the question… "Will the Clippers even be half way decent enough to get a Player like Paul to stay put or Griffin to resign"…

3. If De’Andre Jordan is half as good as people on this site claim then he WILL get offers in the 8 to 10 million dollar range…Darko is being paid 5 million per season soooo wouldn’t Jordan at least get 8 million per??? and Then you’ll still have Kaman as well,,..that’s 20 million for 2 Centers, not adding in Mo’s money and the Eric Gordon resigning…what’s left over for Blake and Then a Chris Paul type Impact Player???…Lets say they let Kaman/Mo and everyone else not named Blake and Eric go…What are they both likely to sign for???…Blake is a Max Player for sure and EG will at least 10 million per…they will only have enough for maybe one Star and You can bet your life it won’t be Chris Paul(He, Melo and Amare didn’t make a pack to sign with the Clippers, they made a pack to sign with NEW YORK!!!) You must keep this in mind, The Hornets will Not Trade Paul, he’s gone next year and NO ONE WILL TRADE FOR HI, they know he’s dreaming of playing for the Knicks…Did Amare and Melo sign off trades to go to LA, no!!! They wanted to play in NY and That’s where they are NOW, same will go for CP3…

Just Be Happy The Clippers have two young Guns while they’re around, because most likely after their rookie deals are done, They(Gordon and Griffin) are outta There….

Last Question for Clippers fans…

Who was the last Great player The Clippers signed???…Baron Davis(signed a huge deal to mail it in afterwards and be closer to Hollywood) and Elton Brand(gave a Team that went nowhere a few years of 20 and 10’s and then bolted for the First Team he could find)…Thats Two Good to Great players in their entire history as a Franchise, now we are all supposed to believe they can Sign Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, after another season in the draft lottery and no real signs things will change in the future(highlight reel dunks don’t win games)

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

1. Gordon will be a restricted free-agent. LAC can match any offer he receives. IF they don’t resign Gordon, they can kiss Griffin goodbye. Sterling isn’t stupid… Griffin will make him more money than he can imagine.

2. Kobe is getting old… Is it hard to see Blake Griffin becoming the most popular player in Los Angeles very soon? Griffin still has work to do (defense, consistent jump shot and more back to the basket moves), but he’s the real deal. I don’t see why he can’t attrack other free-agents to come and play with him, especially a great point guard. Griffin can turn LAC around like LeBron turned Cleveland around.

3. Let’s not forget WHO paid Dark Milicic lol. It only takes one idiot general manager, so Jordan could get overpaid, but I doubt it. And Kaman is on the last year of his deal. He will be moved. I assume that LAC can put together a package of Kaman’s expiring deal, the pick owed to them from Minnesota (in a LOADED draft), a couple of young prospects and another throw in or two to go after the superstar point guard they covet. Once again… I don’t see why a superstar point guard wouldn’t want to play with Griffin.

LAC has a terrible history and this isn’t the first time they’ve had talent, BUT you can’t sit there and say this team’s future doesn’t look bright. The Sterling factor is still there, so I don’t blame people for having doubts though.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 @indianabasketball…

yes Sterling is stupid.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Me personally, I believe Bledsoe will be a lot better then what people view of him as a pure PG. I can see him actually being a Top 15 PG in the next couple of years. He is my under the radar guy to get noticed as guy who can become elite.

[apb540Participant]

I think that the Clippers have one of the brightest futures in the NBA. They have a ton of pieces, a rising star in Gordon, and a star in Blake Griffin. How many other teams can say that? If Jordan can reach his potential and develop into a double-double player while providing weakside D to help out Griffin….wow this team will be good.

As far as a CP3 trade, the Clippers are actually a team that makes sense. Two top 10 picks in what could be a very, very good draft and a few young pieces like Bledsoe, Aminu, and Gordon that would be appealing to a team like New Orleans. Who is to say that if NO knows that Paul is not resigning but says that he would in LA that we wouldn’t see a sign and trade? Something like this before the 2012 draft:

Bledsoe, the Clips highest pick, and maybe a swap of the Clips second highest pick and the Hornets first round pick (assuming that the Clippers have a higher pick) for CP3? Just an idea. 

[HitsterParticipant]

Hell if they had not traded Davis they would have got Irving and could have had the long term PG in place or used him as trade bait for the likes of CP3 for example.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I’d @ least see how Bledsoe does this year before giving up on him.

*Just food for thought, but you do see how Teague had been coming along since he became the guy Drew put trust in.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 

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