Clippers Draft History
By Micky Shaked
The 2014 NBA draft is less than 48 hours away, so why not go through the Clippers draft history time machine? The last several months we’ve been looking forward in speculation to how the Los Angeles Clippers will improve through the No. 28 pick on Thursday. It’s time for a retrospective.
The franchise formerly known as the Buffalo Braves and San Diego Clippers has the lowest winning percentage of any active franchise aside from the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets. Needless to say the Clippers draft history isn’t the most inspiring. A breakdown of how Los Angeles’ second team has drafted through the years:
Clippers draft history by the numbers
0: Times the Clippers have drafted 28th
3: Original Clippers picks still on roster (Reggie Bullock ’13 , Blake Griffin ’09, DeAndre Jordan ’08)
10: Clippers draft picks still in the NBA
24: Number of lottery picks made, the most of any franchise in the NBA
Notable recent trades involving draft picks
July 10, 2013: Acquired J.J. Redick in a sign-and-trade from Milwaukee in exchange for a 2014 second round pick, and sent Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to Phoenix for Jared Dudley. Advantage Phoenix.
Whether calling players by name or shipping picks to get them, the Clippers’ team has been shaped by the draft. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
December 15, 2011: Acquired Chris Paul and two future second round picks from New Orleans for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al Farouq-Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round pick (which the Pelicans turned into Austin Rivers). One of the second round picks was used to acquire Redick. Advantage NBA.
February 24, 2011: Sent Baron Davis and the 2011 first round pick to Cleveland for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The Clippers won the lottery that year and Cleveland selected Kyrie Irving with the top pick. Advantage Cavs, by A LOT.
June 24, 2010: Acquired draft rights to Bledsoe (18th pick) from Oklahoma City in exchange for a future protected first round pick. The Thunder later packaged that pick with Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic to Boston for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. Even.
August 12, 2005: Sent Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers to Minnesota for Sam Cassell and a future protected first round pick. That pick remained protected until 2012 and was included in the Paul trade. Advantage Clippers.
June 21, 2004: Swapped No. 2 pick with expansion team Charlotte for Nos. 4 and 33. Charlotte took Emeka Okafor while the Clippers drafted Shaun Livingston and Chalmers. Advantage Bobcats/Hornets.
Clippers Draft Picks in the Hall of Fame
Bob McAdoo, No. 2 in 1972
Adrian Dantley, No. 6 in 1976
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Clippers Rookie of the Year Winners
Bob McAdoo, 1973 (No. 2)
Ernie DiGregorio, 1974 (No. 3)
Adrian Dantley, 1977 (No. 6)
Terry Cummings, 1983 (No. 2)
Blake Griffin, 2011 (No. 1)
Biggest Clippers Draft Busts
Yaroslav Korolev, No. 12 in 2005 (2 seasons, 34 games, 1.1 ppg, 0.5 rbg))
Shaun Livingston, No. 4 in 2004 (3 seasons, 145 games, 7.4 ppg, 4.8 apg)
Melvin Ely, No. 12 in 2002 (2 seasons, 94 Games, 4.2 PPG, 2.9 rpg)
Michael Olowokandi, No. 1 in 1998 (5 seasons, 323 games, 9.9 ppg, 8.0 rbg)
Lorenzen Wright, No. 7 in 1996 (3 seasons, 194 games, 7.7 ppg, 7.4 rbg)
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No. of picks by city
Buffalo (1970-1978): 106
San Diego (1978-1984): 47
Los Angeles (1984-present): 71
No. of picks by round since lottery system in 1985
First: 35
Second: 22
Third: 4
Fourth: 2
Fifth: 3
Sixth: 3
Seventh: 3