The Clippers had a quiet night in the 2023 draft, staying put at 30 and 48 to select Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller respective. We already wrote about each of those guys as well as what the Clippers’ lack of moves mean, but here are some grade roundups from other media sites.
ESPN (Kevin Pelton) – D
“Among players with projections, Brown had the second lowest of all the players drafted Thursday. Both Brown’s age (23, the oldest player taken in the first round) and his late development into a college star after scoring in single figures in his first two years at Missouri work against his projection. Miller, also 23, gave the Clippers two of the four oldest players taken. That doesn’t rule out successful NBA careers, but it makes them less likely.”
The Athletic (Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger)
30th Pick
Vecenie: “Brown is one of the guys who really stood out to me in terms of skill the more I watched him. There’s so much more to his game than you’d think when watching a typical 6-foot-7, 250-pound big man. He’s an incredible processor of the game who makes quick decisions, and the shooting-mechanic adjustments he’s made over the last year have clearly worked wonders in terms of turning him into a real potential shooter in the NBA. He’s a smart defender who was active and valuable on that end in the SEC. And there is a real case for long-term upside if he can add a bit of quickness over the next few years. To me, it all comes down to the shooting. If Brown proves he can be a consistent shooter from distance, he might play in the NBA for the next eight to 10 years as a valuable rotation player. Every NBA team is looking for bigger guys with length who can dribble, pass and shoot. Brown can do that. There’s a world where you can see him playing both as a wing four man and a small-ball five given his strength. He is a valuable rotation player as long as he shoots.”
Hollinger: “Wow. I liked Kobe Brown as a potential backup 4 with some stretch capability when I saw him at the SEC tournament, but I didn’t really see a first-rounder there. This one surprises me a bit, especially on a roster where half the guys already more or less fit this job description.”
48th Pick
Vecenie: “I think Miller is an awesome candidate for a two-way contract and would have been one of my priority players there. I love the idea of him being a cutter, spot-up shooter and defender who just keeps things simple and plays the right way. But I’m worried enough about the shooting that I don’t know how great I’d feel about him right now as a fully guaranteed roster player. If it takes him time to adjust to the NBA line as a shooter, he turns 24 midway through next season and might not have a ton of time to figure it all out. I love his length, and I love how direct his game is. He’s one of those guys who just gets stuff done out there, and I have an immense appreciation for how he forces his will upon the game despite being relatively low usage. The fact that he doesn’t need the ball to be productive is a huge plus. I just would like to see a bit more shooting evidence before I’d make a full commitment.”
Hollinger: “Miller was perhaps my favorite deep sleeper, a very productive wing from Miami whose shooting is a bit suspect but whose all-court game is good enough that he can still become a good role player. There are shades of Terance Mann here, and I’m a much bigger fan of this pick than the one the Clips made at 30.”
CBS Sports (Colin Ward-Heninger) – C
“The Clippers signaled their desire for immediate help by drafting two seniors. Both have long wingspans and profile as plus defenders on the wing that can fit into Ty Lue’s switching defense, and they can also step out and knock down 3-pointers. These prospects aren’t going to blow anyone away, but the Clippers are just looking for potential rotation pieces on a win-now team, so they should suffice.”
SB Nation (Ricky O’Donnell, First Round Only) – B
“Four-year player who emerged on NBA draft boards as a senior after making a big leap as a shooter. Brown is absolutely massive at 6’8, 250 pounds with the skill to play on the perimeter and the size to bang inside. He went from a 25 percent three-point shooter to a 45 percent three-point shooter as a senior. If that progress holds, he should be a stretch forward with offensive versatility who will be a load to handle in the paint.”
Yahoo (Krysten Peek, First Round Only) – C+
“Brown is one of the best defensive rotational players in this draft with the way he swings through multiple positions on the wing and is active dropping down low. Brown is a swing forward who was the glue guy for coach Dennis Gates and Missouri and could see early minutes on a roster with his high basketball IQ and defensive versatility, but he is a reach.”
My Thoughts
I think I by and large agree with most of these assessments. Kobe Brown is an intriguing player due to his size, defensive awareness, and skill level especially as a passer. However, his shooting is a question mark – how legit was his senior year shooting? – and he might struggle to find an individual position to defend. Ultimately, I think there were better players available, and wish the Clippers had gone for a more high-upside player, but at least there’s talent and a vision here. My grade: C.
Jordan Miller is, to me, a better prospect than Brown straight up, and considering he was taken 18 picks later, I’m happier with his selection. He has clear NBA skills with his defense, finishing inside, and rebounding, is another very high instincts player. His career will also come down to shooting, but I think he could have a career without real shooting where I’m unsure if Brown can. My grade: B+.