The Los Angeles Clippers are potentially facing their busiest off-season in franchise history. As if pursuing an NBA Championship isn’t enough, they must continue to endure through the idiotic comments of their billionaire buffoon current owner, find a new owner (see previous), prepare for an off-season that is sure to have challenges in luring free agents and get ready for the NBA Entry Draft.
The last four years of draft picks for the Clippers have not been all that stellar. In fact they have kind of missed the boat on almost every pick. Granted they didn’t have very high picks in most years, they still had the 8th pick in 2010 and with it they used it on Al-Farouq Aminu. In making that pick they passed on Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Patrick Patterson, Larry Sanders and Eric Bledsoe in the process.
The Clippers are in pretty good shape moving forward as they have Blake Griffin and Chris Paul under contract through the 2016-17 season. The problem lies with DeAndre Jordan as he could potentially become a free-agent at the conclusion of next season. Re-signing Jordan will be a priority and it will take more than the current $11 million per season to get him secured moving forward.
The Clippers already have more salary dollars committed next season than they did this season and that is without filling out their roster and picking up those crucial role players down the stretch run. They will likely lose Glen Davis, Danny Granger and Darren Collison come season end and they will need to find suitable replacements for the start of the season.
Biggest Draft Day Need:
Despite having a trio of stars and a fairly deep bench, there is room for improvement here through the draft. It would be nice for the Clippers to have a solid backup for Paul at the point, but they aren’t likely going to hand those responsibilities to a rookie; they are more likely to fill that need through free-agency. The Clippers should be looking for a suitable power forward who can spell off Griffin and perhaps even Jordan at the five spot.
A great fit for the Clippers here would be the former Michigan State Spartan Adreian Payne. Payne is a stretch four who has the size to body up in the paint while still able to knock down jumpers and be a threat off the dribble.
Payne is a 6’9”, 240 pound, 23-year old who averaged 16.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg last year for the Spartans. Payne attacks the rim both offensively and defensively and he finished well around the rim and grabs boards. He is not a fantastic shot blocker but he will change shots with his length.
As mentioned, DeAndre Jordan is set to become a free-agent and he will be in a position to command some huge money on the open market. A potentially solid replacement for Jordan down the road could just be the versatile Adreian Payne who would come at a significantly reduced price. Coach Doc Rivers got Jordan to buy into his system and it turned his career around. Some similar tutelage for the young Payne could be most fruitful for the Clippers.