IF Clips trade for a late 1st Rounder...

by madglove on Jun 24, 2009 5:19 PM PDT

Who do you guys want them to pick?

Ralph Lawler stated that they're working hard to make a move tomorrow. He said that if they got another 1st rounder, he expects it to be late 1st round. He also said that back-up PG and a swingman are the two needs that the team will try to fill this summer.

Based on the draft board, I would say that the most likely scenarios are picks 25-28 as those are picks where teams have higher first rounders. In particular, I'd say the Bulls' pick at 26 and the Minny pick at 28 can be had.

So who would you want at that spot? My preference is Eric Maynor or Nick Calathas. Both are solid PGs with strong leadership and good playmaking ability. Calathas would be in Greece for a couple of years and could be brought over when Baron is ready to retire.

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Good Question

Obviously, the need is backup PG or SF. If there’s still a talented PG around, it would be hard to pass that up, otherwise i’d rather see us go SF and give Thornton some healthy competition at the 3.

SF who could be had late: Danny Green, Austin Daye, Chase Budinger, Sam Young
PG’s: Obviously, if Maynor drops you take him…otherwise Mills or Calathes could be options.

by ghost_ride on Jun 24, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

I'd take Sam Young

over Chase Budinger. Hell if Clippers can make a run at Jonny Flynn, I’d be happy. (Not gonna happen that low in the draft, BUT it’s just saying.)

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 24, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Chase Budinger

Got to see him play for three years here in Arizona. Completely underrated athletic monster. He was the nation’s #1 volleyball recruit three years ago, but he decided to forgo USA volleyball to play Arizona basketball, and Lute Olson wouldn’t let him play both. He played the best of his three years this past one, after two solid but underachieving freshman and sophomore seasons. He works hard, and his range his better than solid at the NBA three point line. He is a quick defender with long arms and one of the best verticals in his class. I just like his overall style of play: he creates for others, and can knock down shots when he needs to. He is undersized for the three, but he makes up for his deficiencies with his athleticism. He would be a great off the bench guy in the league.

by MarekTheBrave on Jun 24, 2009 6:43 PM PDT reply actions

As a UCLA fan I got to see Budinger some

Always seemed to me he was rather slow and didn’t have alot of lateral quickness. I thought he was overrated. However, I didn’t watch every game he played.

by Jax on Jun 24, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't a fan

of Chase also.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 24, 2009 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions

forgot to mention

forgot to mention that i also thought austin daye is really interesting. it’d be a matchip nightmare to have a guy on the team with his height and his range. he’s really undersized though, he would have to get on the stanley roberts workout plan me thinks

by MarekTheBrave on Jun 24, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions

I also vote for Budinger

and am a solid “no” on Daye or Mills— but that’s mostly because those guys played in the same conference as my alma mater. Mills is a chucker, or at least he was when he got back from injury last year. And Mills is 6’11 and plays like he’s 6’2 (no doubt he can improve on that though.)

by Michael White on Jun 24, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

I doubt Maynor is available

But if he is, Get Maynor in a clipper uniform immediately. Just watched rerun of Maynor’s game. That kids got game and smarts.

by Qlippers on Jun 24, 2009 7:59 PM PDT reply actions

danny green, danny green, and oh i almost forgot....

danny green. hes a hard working, versatile SF who has shown the ability to lock down on the opponents best wing players. hes the ultimate role-playing wing to groom alongside blake, EJ, and DJ. he likes to move without the ball, can facilitate some from the SF spot if needed(2.7 asst/gm last year), hits open shots, has solid 3 pt range and efficiency, good free throw shooter. just a great overall package and a solid work ethic. i really think this kid is a sleeper, not a star, but a very solid player in the mold of a raja bell, shane battier, james posey…

by krapper11 on Jun 24, 2009 9:17 PM PDT reply actions

Why did the Clippers sell their 2nd round pick this year in the first place?

They would have been the 1st pick in the 2nd Round. Collison could have been available, and he’s better and smarter than Mike Taylor.

by Jerdog on Jun 24, 2009 9:41 PM PDT reply actions

Not exactly...

I want to say the second round order is according to order of finish…so in this case the Clips would have had the 2nd pick (since Washington won the coin toss for the first round).
And I want to say they traded away this years second round pick last year in order to draft DeAndre Jordan (or Mike Taylor…dont remember which one and am too lazy to look it up).

Do or do not. There is no try.

by Clip Show on Jun 24, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Is there a CLEAR case where the 32nd pick is better than one of those two?

Else it doesn’t matter.

"So what are the odds that the Clippers can compete next season given their limited flexibility? Slim and none."

by John R on Jun 24, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

The play for mike taylor last year

Is looking so-so according to what the Clippers are saying….they want to address back up pg, and if they would have kept the pick there look to be solid options in that area this go around.

by ghost_ride on Jun 24, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions

But actually

Would you take Taylor or Collison? I’m a UCLA guy, Collison isn’t a bad decision maker, and will probably grow to make better decisions, but I’d take Taylor over Collison for now. Taylor has that vibe that I can’t quite put my fingers on.
I’m affraid that Collison might turn into a Chris Duhon type player (which isn’t bad) but Taylor still reminds me of Tony Parker(potentially).

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 24, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't like Collison either

Taylor is still somewhat of a prospect, though he could easily carve out a valuable niche on our team as an energy guy. He’s got a higher ceiling than Collison, but I think the feeling is we’d like to have more stability behind BD. It’ll be interesting…at least we don’t have Jason Hart anymore.

by ghost_ride on Jun 25, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Haha

Hart wasn’t all that bad for us in the 2007-2008 season. He actually enjoyed playing for LA! (:

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 25, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

I believe

it as Mike Taylor. If you look it up on yahoo, I believe it says drafted by : Portland Blazers. If i remember correctly, I remember reading an article about Taylor working out for Clippers and on draft day, was disappointed Clippers pick D.Jordan to later find out that Portland picked him, then traded to Clippers.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 24, 2009 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions

collison

he’s gonna be way better than taylor

by DocD on Jun 24, 2009 10:32 PM PDT reply actions

I wouldnt say that just yet

Taylor was pretty good in college, until (i forgot) happened.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 24, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions

i’m a ucla alum and i’m not that high on collison. he might be a great college point guard (and he wasnt even “great” he was pretty good) but i dont think he gives you much over taylor.

I mean mike taylor is a little reckless and unpolished, but collison was like that his first 2 years in college too (i remember groaning every time he came in for farmar).

If taylor develops he has much more upside if anything. Collison isn’t going to grow 3" or get taylor’s vertical any time soon. And collison might actually be older than taylor.

by hans007 on Jun 25, 2009 3:53 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Collison will last in the league longer than MT

He’s more of a pure PG, I can see him having a Brevin Knight type career. MT? Not sure what we got, looks like a solid energy guy off the bench but he hasn’t shown any PG skills yet. He could be a Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins or Eddie House kind of gunslinger off the bench at best.

FA in 2010.

by ClipperChuck on Jun 25, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Perfect assessment.

by John Raffo on Jun 25, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions

I couldn't disagree more re Collison

I am a UCLA season ticket holder / homer. Collison’s a two guard in a pg body. He is not a great passer and does not easily create opportunities for others. He’s a far worse passer/creater and a much better shooter than Brevin Knight. He is, however, pretty quick, but he’s not that strong, so strong pgs will destroy him, like Derrick Rose did a couple of years ago. I might take Collison over Taylor, but if you’re looking for a pg you need to look elsewhere.

by Jax on Jun 25, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

The same question you asked Mikey in a comment

“Why did you bring that up?” – refering to Memphis beating UCLA. ):

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 25, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Collison makes me nervous since every UCLA fan I know has the exact same reaction as Jax. I’ll defer to those folks, since they watch him every game.

by Michael White on Jun 25, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Agree...

with what JAX says. Stay away from Collison. Let the Lakers draft him.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by Clip Show on Jun 25, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Lakers just traded their #29? or 27?

pick to Knicks.

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 25, 2009 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

or I should say sold

Mike Smith on Eric Gordon: "The Clippers may have found their go to scorer."
On a second note, I want Novak back!

by JackduhSun on Jun 25, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

#29

Lakers finished 2nd overall, so they got pick 29.

by LJ Hann on Jun 25, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Sam Young

is a beast

by baronycamby on Jun 24, 2009 10:33 PM PDT reply actions

Austin Daye

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jun 24, 2009 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

Sam Young

He’ll be able to contribute now.

by Qlippers on Jun 25, 2009 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

Yea

I think he’s one of the aforementioned glue guys. Wayne Ellington, Danny Green and a few others fit this mold too.

FA in 2010.

by ClipperChuck on Jun 25, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

What "IF" Jennings falls to the bottom!?

I think that would do it!

by clippersnomatterwhat on Jun 25, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions

Definately would do it

I read he’s probably going in the first 15 though.

by Michael White on Jun 25, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

okay i thought they were saying

he might slip even to the 2nd round…..

by clippersnomatterwhat on Jun 25, 2009 9:37 AM PDT reply actions

I like Jennings BUT

in the PG drills in Sacramento, he showed his skills but also showed he can’t take simple direction.

by Qlippers on Jun 25, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Is it bothering anyone else...

that the Knicks just bought a first round pick and teams like Houston and Denver are rumored to be trying to do the same…yet NO TALK at all of the Clips?

I’m worried that they’re sitting on their hands. This is a great draft to buy a late first rounder and get a potentially solid PG. Please don’t do nothing…

by madglove on Jun 25, 2009 12:21 PM PDT reply actions

We can still buy a pick during the draft

We have to find out first if “our guy” will be there.

by Qlippers on Jun 25, 2009 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

Good point.

I’m just concerned that they don’t make the move. I really think that in this draft, a mid to late first rounder is just as valuable as a pick in the mid to late teens. It’s just impossible to tell.

Plus, this draft, while weak overall, is strong on PGs – a big need for us.

And in general it’d be great to shore up that spot with someone who can grow with EJ and Griffin to form a young future core with EJ, Thorn, Griffin and DJ. I feel like now is the time for that.

by madglove on Jun 25, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

3rd PG

The Clippers probably will look for a veteran backup PG as opposed to a fringe prospect. Seems more likely that they pick up a low cost free agent this summer as they did last season with J-Will and Hart. Taylor is a worthwhile project so the 3rd PG should be someone that can hold down the fort if Baron gets hurt.

I’ll be surprised if the Clippers actually buy a 1st rounder outright. If they do, they should focus on adding depth at small forward.

by ClipCat on Jun 25, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Taylor isn't a PG prospect

It’s obvious to anyone who watches him. At best he’s a scoring punch off the bench. At worst he’s not in the NBA in two years. There’s a reason Neil Olshey almost never mentions Taylor as part of their “young core.” He talks about EJ, Thornton and Jordan, but never Taylor.

Olshey explicitly said they’d look into buying a pick tonight. Ralph Lawler said they’re working hard to get another pick.

The team needs a PG prospect that they can groom to take over for Baron in a couple of years. A guy who can learn the game while Baron is still in his prime (presumably) and who can grow with EJ and Griffin.

They could use a swingman too for sure. But swingmen in this league are a dime a dozen, and especially a position that is better filled via trade as they try to unload Z-Bo, Kaman or Camby.

by madglove on Jun 25, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

One future starter per draft please

Maybe next season we can draft our future PG. This year a late 1st rounder likely will be about the 8-10th PG selected. Anyone drafted there is a project, and we already have one of those in Taylor (which is what I called him).

by ClipCat on Jun 25, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Why?

What’s the reasoning in that rule? One future starter per draft? This isn’t like waiting 30 minutes after you eat to go swimming. There’s no reason to wait if you don’t have to.

Now I’m not saying trade Thornton to get a mid teens pick or anything. But to the extent they can get an Eric Maynor or a Nick Calathas, they definitely should do it. Especially in a year where teams are cash strapped and shopping their picks. I can’t remember another year where so many first rounders were available for cash.

My point is that Taylor is hardly a “worthwhile project”. He’s not even in the equation. If he develops into a bench punch, fine. If not, no surprise.

And why would a late first rounder be 8-10th PG? He could easily be the 5th-8th best PG in this draft. And the 5th-8th PG in this PG heavy draft is like the 3rd or 4th best PG in normal drafts. It’s definitely worthwhile to try to buy that pick.

by madglove on Jun 25, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Roster Space

I’m not really opposed to drafting more than one future starter, but switching out four starters didn’t work out so well last season either.

I don’t see us carrying more than three PG’s this year. Baron and Taylor are likely to be two of those. IMO the 3rd PG should have some NBA experience since, as you point out, Taylor cannot be counted on to step into the starting lineup should Baron go down.

At the end of this season, I questioned whether Taylor was worth the early 2nd rounder we gave up this season. So I’m not wildly optimistic about Taylor, but he’s performed reasonably well as a Clipper – at least well enough to stick for another year.

by ClipCat on Jun 25, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions