What should the Los Angeles Clippers do with the fifth overall pick?
The Los Angeles Clippers will have a decision to make with the fifth overall pick as they determine the future of their franchise.
The Clippers didn't expect to be in this position at the start of the season when they entered the year with championship aspirations and no first round picks after dealing away their pick in 2019 in the infamous Paul George trade.
At the trade deadline, the franchise shifted gears, trading James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana for Bennedict Mathurin and a 2026 first-round pick that was protected 1-4.
The Pacers were one of the worst teams in the league this past season, finishing with the second-worst record in the regular season, but lottery luck was not on their side as their pick fell to number five, sending it to the Clippers.
Darius Garland Shares Advice
Garland knows what it's like to be the fifth overall pick as he was select fifth overall in 2019 by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Garland was highly touted coming out as a freshman from Vanderbilt. He was ranked between four and six on most draft boards.
In a social media clip posted by the Clippers, Garland told the upcoming pick, "Just have fun with the process. You'll never get this ever again in life. Enjoy the time going into these workouts. It's a long grind, but leading up to draft day is fun. Can't wait to see y'all up here.'
The players ranked fifth or higher are all in a similar tier behind the consensus top four picks, meaning the Clippers are bringing in an abundance of players to ensure they make the best decision for their team.
What Should They Do?
On paper, Keaton Wagler, a Freshman out of Illinois is the best fit. He' a combo guard who can play next to Garland as opposed to behind him like the other top guards on the list.
He can play on the ball or off the ball, which is more ideal as he'll be slotted next to Garland, Mathurin, and Kawhi Leonard, all of whom will get more of the ballhandling duties as the rookie grows into his role.
Darius Acuff Jr, Kingston Flemings, and Mikel Brown Jr are the other top guards in the range of number five, but all are more natural point guards and off-ball guards, and the fit next to Garland isn't as ideal.
