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Los Angeles Clippers: The two ideal picks in the 2018 NBA Draft

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers talks to the referees during their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on October 4, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers talks to the referees during their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on October 4, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Round one, pick 12: Trae Young, G, Oklahoma

Trae Young is probably the most polarizing prospect in the entire 2018 NBA Draft. Young tore up the rest of the NCAA with Oklahoma, looking impossible to guard at times. However, Young also got into cold spells that really hurt his draft stock and left question marks around how he would transition to the NBA.

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Young has one the highest ceilings in the entire draft class but also has one of the lowest floors, at least as far as lottery picks are concerned.

Thus, it is going to be a risk for whatever team selects young. Jeremy Woo of SI has Young as the eighth-best prospect in the draft class, so the Clippers would need him to fall a few spots in order to land him.

This is the best-case scenario after all and there is a possibility that Young falls down the board. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a threat to draft young, but past them, the Clippers may not have any teams to worry about.

The three picks between the Cavaliers and Clippers all have guards on the roster. The Knicks picked Frank Ntilikina with the eighth overall pick last year, the 76ers have Markelle Fultz and even Ben Simmons and the Hornets have Kemba Walker and Malik Monk.

It is hard to see a team above the Cavaliers selecting Young with how top-heavy this draft class is. Really, the Clippers biggest threat is if a team like the Hawks move up and take the tenth overall pick from the 76ers. Besides that, the coast may be clear.

Young can come in and immediately be the playmaker that the Clippers need and can use to lure in stars. While there may be some hiccups along the way, running the offense through Young early in his career will provide the best transition to the NBA.

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