[Allen_Iverson_3Participant]

With the picks #37 and #47, who do you think the Clippers will draft?

This site have them going with Nolan Smith and Jereme Richmond, while the other one has them drafting Norris Cole and Jon Leuer.

Of the current roster, here are the players leaving as Free-Agents (in bold, the RFA):

DeAndre Jordan

Brian Cook (Player option: don’t think he’ll activate it)

Jamario Moon

Craig Smith

Ike Diogu

This is how the Clippers’ roster will look like before Free-Agency (in bold, the potential starters):

PG: Mo Williams/Eric Bledsoe

PG/SG: Randy Foye/Willie Warren (isn’t he a RFA?)

SG: Eric Gordon

SF: Al-Farouq Aminu/ Ryan Gomes (I don’t know which one will be starter: right now it’s Gomes but it could quickly end up being  Aminu)

PF: Blake Griffin /Brian Cook

C: DeAndre Jordan (The Clippers can’t afford to let him walk away)/Chris Kaman

 

Right now it seems that the Clippers have a real hole at SF, but they must also upgrade their backups at SG and PF. With these second round picks it appears very unlikely that they find a starter at SF, but they should think about adding another player who can contribute right away in their rotation at SF. As mentioned by NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/draft/2011/teams/lac/), the Clippers don’t want young developing players anymore, so taking Jereme Richmond at #47 is rather unlikely. Considering the kid’s potential, I’m not saying it’s impossible, just that it’s unlikely.

Names that come to my mind are Chandler Parsons (if available, very nice fit), Jimmy Butler and Travis Leslie (would also fill the SG need). 

Then, the Clippers should take someone to help at SG or PF, though it is unlikely that the player selected so low will make a roster spot. At #47, I think they should go with David Lighty (if available, he’ll make it) or Willie Reed, Malcolm Thomas, Joffrey Lauvergne (a complete skilled big man) or Greg Smith (would help at C).

However, there are also rumors that the Clippers, in order to upgrade their SF position, could let Kaman go. The idea is for example stated by bleacherreport (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/721889-nba-free-agents-2011-potential-signees-for-la-lakers-and-all-30-teams#/page/13): the Clips would trade Kaman and draft picks for Iggy. Imo, you can think about the same type of deal with the TWolves’ Beasley if Minny ends up drafting Williams.

If the Clippers plan such a scenario to occur, then they should think about drafting a C and a SG. Therefore, they should draft Vucevic or Benson with their first pick and draft Lighty or Leslie with their second pick, or else try to recuperate Greg Smith with their second pick.

It appears very likely though that they’ll rather find solutions through the FA market and trade. A very busy summer in perspective…
 

Thoughts?

[VarnishkisParticipant]

Would be perfect fit for High Flying Clippers team at 47#. Just need to look at the clip where he posterises D.Williams ! NASTY!!!

[fennisdemboParticipant]

i could see a sign and trade involving prince and kaman. the clips will decide to spend money on jordan leaving room to ship kaman out for a playoff vet in prince. tay is from LA so he would agree and kaman is from michigan. seems like a good move for both

[dodgerParticipant]

I want a sign and trade involving Kaman and Jeff Green

[josephgoodeParticipant]

 I am still wondering why the clippers traded the their first round pick which is the #1 overall pick right now and baron davis for mo Williams and Jamario Moon. They could be drafting Irving or D Williams right now.  Gordon, Griffin, Jordan and one of those draft picks would be perfect for this team.  All Bad

[kevnix5Participant]

I like Keith Benson as a pick especially if they are moving Kaman for a SF such as Prince or Iggy. They will need some frontcourt depth and Benson could step in and play limited minutes right away. And people need to stop saying the clippers would have the number 1 pick if they hadn’t traded it away. The NBA made sure the Cavs got two top picks if the clips had of held onto that pick it wouldn’t have ended up being #1 overall. Stop being so naive the lottery is rigged year after year.

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

The Clippers pick had a 1.7% chance of winning the lottery.

They thought in a weak draft their (what was supposed to be 8th) pick would not have benefitted them greatly so they tossed it in for a bit of cap relief, obviously hindsights 20-20 they did not see their pick reaching that #1 spot

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