The Los Angeles Clippers could move down in the NBA Draft.
The first four selections in the NBA Draft aren't much of a mystery with AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson expected to be the top four picks.
The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls have the top four selections, and while it is unknown where those players will land, those players will be on one of those teams.
The draft truly begins at number five with the Los Angeles Clippers, who got the pick via the Indiana Pacers and a trade involving Ivica Zubac. The Clippers were a play-in team this past season and have a core already established with Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, and Bennedict Mathurin.
Moving Down?
The trade would send the fifth overall pick to the Kings in exchange for the seventh overall pick and a 2031 first round pick via the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This would give the Sacramento Kings a shot at one of the top guards behind the top four while leaving the Clippers with less of a decision to make, and an extra first-round pick in the future.
Keaton Wagler from Illinois, Mikel Brown Jr from Louisville, Darius Acuff Jr from Arkansas, and Kingston Flemings from Houston are viewed as the next tier of players, with Michigan's Aday Mara and Arizona's Brayden Buries also slotting in.
All five players have their strengths and weaknesses, and all five would have a certain fit on the Clippers, but there is overlap between point guards Flemings, Brown Jr, and Acuff Jr with Garland, which could take them off the board for Los Angeles.
Should The Clippers Make This Move?
If they are certain their guy will be there at number seven, this is a no-brainer. Wagler and Mara are the best fits for the Clippers, and the Kings are unlikely to take either one of those players as they search for a new lead point guard.
The Nets pick at number six, and even if they take one of the two, the other would still be there at number seven.
This is a low risk move for the Clippers as they are likely to still get one of the two players they have their sights set on while obtaining a future first round pick. Unless they are really sold on Wagler or any other guard at number five, this is an easy move for Los Angeles.
