Final Clippers 2019 NBA Mock Draft Roundup: Draft Day Edition!

Well, one of the most exciting days of the NBA calendar has arrived. Today is the 2019 NBA Draft! While the Clippers have two picks this year, just like last year, the circumstances have vastly changed. In 2018, the Clippers had two lottery picks on which to build the future of a franchise in transition. In 2019, the Clippers have two late 2nd round picks to help support what they hope will be a contending team in 2020, or be assets to flip for veterans in that pursuit of a title. Here’s who the major NBA draft sites have the Clippers taking with their two picks.

ESPN (Jonathan Givony), updated June 20

48 - Shamorie Ponds, point guard from St. John’s

56 - Joshua Obiesie, combo guard from Wuerzburg, Germany

Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman), updated June 19

48 - Miye Oni, wing from Yale

56 - Cody Martin, wing from Nevada

The Athletic (Sam Vecenie), updated June 20

48 - Jaylen Nowell, guard from Washington

56 - Brian Bowen, wing from NBL in Australia

Sports Illustrated (Jeremy Woo), updated June 20

48 - DaQuan Jeffries, wing from Tulsa

56 - Quinndary Weatherspoon, guard from Mississippi State

The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor), updated June 20

48 - Shamorie Ponds, point guard from St. John’s

56 - John Konchar, guard from Purdue Fort Wayne

It’s less than 12 hours away from when the Clippers will pick, and there’s very little consensus on who they might select. Again, this is partially due to the nature of how late they’re picking — it’s nearly impossible to predict which prospects might still be available by 48 or 56. The one prospect who is mentioned twice is Shamorie Ponds, who has cropped up a bit over the past month of mock drafts, and who I think would be a steal that late in the draft.

There are only two other real items of note. The first is that almost all the players mocked are wings, with Ponds as the only true point guard, and no big men. This makes sense, as this draft is much stronger in wings than in big men, and the Clippers don’t really have a need for a point guard, especially a young one. Second, even though the Clippers want to contend next year, and have a lot of players already rostered with several more targets in free agency, only one of the players mocked (Obesie) is a potential stash target. The Clippers might not have room for two second round picks, making a stash overseas a logical option. However, with Jonathan Motley a restricted free agent, the Clippers could sign one of their picks to a two-way deal, avoiding the roster dilemma (or they could waive Angel Delgado).

It’s also quite possible the Clippers make some moves during the draft, whether it’s a big trade, such as moving Danilo Gallinari for cap space, or a small one, like consolidating their two picks into one to move up. Today should have a ton of deals around the NBA, so there should be lots of excitement! Stay tuned.