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Why the Los Angeles Clippers have the best value picks in the draft

By Jason Reed

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Steve Ballmer owner of the Los Angeles Clippers attends Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Steve Ballmer owner of the Los Angeles Clippers attends Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers own the 12th and 13th overall picks in the 2018 NBA Draft and are better suited with those two picks than with one top-three pick.

It goes against conventional wisdom. When a team is trying to land a superstar in the NBA Draft, the top-three picks are the obvious place to be. And while that may be true, the Los Angeles Clippers are right where they need to be in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Clippers head into the draft with the 12th and 13th overall selections; the 13th being their own and the 12th coming from the Detroit Pistons.

Now if the Los Angeles Clippers really wanted to, the team could probably package the two picks and some talent to trade into the top-three. Even if the team cannot land in the top three, the Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly open to trading the fourth overall pick. Los Angeles easily has the pieces to make that happen.

However, if you take into account who is normally drafted at these respective picks, the decision becomes much easier for the Clippers to stay in neutral.

Here are the last five fourth overall picks:

  • 2017: Josh Jackson — Phoenix Suns
  • 2016: Dragan Bender — Phoenix Suns
  • 2015: Kristaps Porzingis — New York Knicks
  • 2014: Aaron Gordon — Orlando Magic
  • 2013: Cody Zeller — Charlotte Bobcats

Obviously, there is one huge outlier there in Kristaps Porzingis, who is a figurehead for the next wave of superstars in the NBA. However, aside from Porzingis, the fourth overall picks haven’t been all that great.

While they all are good in their respective roles and still have time to grow, these are not the franchise changing selections that you may expect this early in the draft.

The 12th and 13th overall picks, meanwhile, have a much better track record the last five years. Here is how they stack up:

  • 2017: Luke Kennard, Donovan Mitchell
  • 2016: Taurean Prince, Georgios Papagiannis
  • 2015: Trey Lyles, Devin Booker
  • 2014: Dario Saric, Zach LaVine
  • 2013: Steven Adams, Kelly Olynyk

Prince and Papagiannis are the obvious standouts in what is an otherwise solid list. Donovan Mitchell was the best rookie from last year’s class. Devin Booker has been better than any other pick the Suns have made over the last five years and 2014 boasted two key role players in Zach LaVine and Dario Saric.

Potentially moving up in the draft to select a questionable pick obviously makes no sense for the Clippers. Plus, in this draft class, there will naturally be very talented guys that fall when it is the Clippers turn on the clock. Not only is there an existing status quo, the Clippers are going to be able to add to it in 2018.

Next: Ideal picks to make with the 12th and 13th overall selections

Thus, while it may be hard to get excited about two late lottery picks, there is no reason to not be excited. The Los Angeles Clippers could do something special in the 2018 NBA Draft.

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