We are just under one week from the 2026 NBA Draft, which means it is time for another mock draft round up to see who the experts have the Clippers taking at 5.

ESPN: Keaton Wagler (Formerly Wagler)

“Rival teams believe Wagler is among the top options for the Clippers if they make this pick. Last week, he opted to cancel multiple workouts inside the top 10, a sign he feels comfortable with his standing. His versatility and fast-rising trajectory have given him broad appeal with every team in the 5-10 range, and he isn’t expected to be on the board long if he falls past No. 5.

The Clippers are said to be looking for a player who can immediately complement the smaller Darius Garland, the key return for James Harden at the trade deadline. Mikel Brown Jr. and Brayden Burries are two prospects who fit that mold, with Brown scheduled to work out in LA later this week. Of that trio, Wagler best marries long-term upside with immediate rotation value, thanks to his size, shooting and feel as a ball-moving offensive conduit at both backcourt spots.”

The Athletic: Keaton Wagler (Formerly Wagler)

Hasn’t been updated since last roundup

SB Nation: Mikel Brown Jr. (Formerly Wagler)

“The top-4 feels like the top-4 in this draft. Ask 20 people who they think is the fifth best prospect in the class and you might get 10 different answers. That means the Clippers have the biggest decision in this class after earning the pick from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade. I could see the Clippers going with Keaton Wagler or Kingston Flemings or even Yaxel Lendeborg or Aday Mara. In this mock, I’m giving them my pick for the fifth-best player in the class, Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. Brown’s shot selection can get wild at times, and it’s scary that he was already hampered by a back injury at age-20, but his intersection of pull-up shooting, three-point volume, passing creativity, and rim pressure sets him apart from the other guards in the class in my mind.”

Yahoo Sports: Mikel Brown Jr. (Formerly Mikel)

“Mikel Brown Jr. offers the highest ceiling of any non-Peterson guard prospect and all signs are that he has aced the pre-draft process. It should come as no surprise that Brown has thrived in workout settings; his size, athleticism, creativity and shot-making are all traits modern NBA front offices covet. Brown plays with a freedom few guards can match. He can touch every corner of the floor as a passer, with the pull-up shooting gravity and herky-jerky handles to break an opposing defense.

Brown’s length and anticipatory defense – with the potential to keep filling out his frame – makes him the easiest guard to project next to Darius Garland in the backcourt. While Illinois’ Keaton Wagler is another strong candidate in this spot, his grave athletic limitations will be harder to mask next to Garland, who clearly factors into L.A.’s short- and long-term plans. With Brown putting his Louisville back injury in the rearview mirror, a home with the Clippers appears well within reach.”

Bleacher Report: Keaton Wagler (Formerly Wagler)

“The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be involved in trade talks leading up to the draft, with rival teams thinking they could try to move.

Keaton Wagler is right now earning looks in the No. 5-9 range with his crafty creation, special shotmaking, high IQ and adaptable game.

After measuring 6’5″ barefoot, he should look like the best fit alongside Darius Garland in Los Angeles, with Darius Acuff, Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. lacking height for a 2-guard/secondary ball-handler.

Wagler will be considered interchangeable with his size and shooting, but he showed enough off-the-dribble navigation, passing, pull-ups and floaters at Illinois for the Kings to feel confident that they can give him initiator duties.”

The draft experts are split between Wagler and Brown, though there are still mentions of trade downs, which could muddy the waters. If we are getting more specific, the guys in this group I trust the most on draft intel are Sam Vecenie (Athletic), Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report), and Jeremy Woo (ESPN), and all of them have Wagler. At least one week before the draft, it seems as though the Clippers are deciding between those two guards – but there are probably still workouts and interviews between now and the draft, as well as trade discussions. But right now, if I had to bet on the Clippers making a pick at 5, it would be either Wagler or Brown.

2026 Clippers Mock Draft Round Up: One Week Out
Robert Flom

We are just two weeks out from the 2026 NBA Draft, which means it’s time for another roundup of mock drafts to see who the experts have the Clippers taking at 5.

ESPN: Keaton Wagler

“The most popular names here have been Wagler and Darius Acuff Jr., with the presence of smaller starting point guard Darius Garland making Wagler the cleaner fit. While Wagler’s high-end outcomes are as a lead playmaker, playing alongside a veteran ball handler to begin his career would be beneficial and relieve some of the immediate pressure.

NBA teams got official measurements on Wagler for the first time at the combine, and he unsurprisingly has excellent size for a ball handler at 6-5 barefoot. He is not overly long, measuring with a plus-1¼ wingspan, and tested in the middle of the pack athletically. Any concerns about his explosiveness aren’t expected to heavily impact his draft stock, with his range seemingly a narrow band of teams outside the top four, also including the Nets, Kings and Hawks.”

The Athletic: Keaton Wagler (Formerly Wagler)

“It’ll be fascinating to see what the Clippers do at No. 5. Sources have indicated that the team is digging into all the top guard prospects as well as exploring potential trade-down scenarios that could result in them accumulating more assets. I’ve also heard Aday Mara’s name associated with the Clippers, although it’s difficult to tell if that would be at No. 5 or in a potential trade down.

Wagler is clearly the best fit of the guards, though, if LA stays at No. 5. He can play both on and off ball and has enough positional size to play next to Darius Garland, whom the team acquired for James Harden at the deadline. Garland played well down the stretch for the Clippers and should be seen as a building block, and I’m skeptical that the Clippers would have enough size defensively by taking Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings to play with him. Sources have indicated that Wagler has added muscle to his frame during the pre-draft process. He came to Illinois at 168 pounds and weighed 188 pounds at the combine; his frame should be able to continue adding strength over the next few years.”

SB Nation: Keaton Wagler (Formerly Wagler)

“The early read on this choice is that it’s going to come down to Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Illinois’ Keaton Wagler. I have Brown higher on my board, but Wagler feels like a cleaner fit in LA next to Darius Garland. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Clippers look to trade down. Wagler’s off-the-dribble shooting was so impressive in his breakout freshman year, and should continue to fuel his NBA success. If Brown goes in this spot, Wagler could fall to the Hawks at No. 8.”

Yahoo Sports: Mikel Brown Jr. (Formerly Wagler)

“The Clippers are widely considered by league sources as the most likely team to trade down in this range. Different teams could be targeting different players. But the most common name mentioned is Brown, who has an unstoppable pull-up jumper, an ambidextrous finishing ability, and the quick reads to rifle passes before the defense has time to react. He had a 45-point breakout performance in February after a back injury dogged him all freshman year and then ended his year later in the month. The absences muddy the evaluation and leave real questions about his consistency that may not get answered until he’s fully healthy. And right now, he is, and all indications are that he is dominating workouts.”

The Ringer: Brayden Burries (Same as May 13)

Once again, Keaton Wagler remains the most popular name for the Clippers at 5, with nobody else included more than once. Right now, it seems as though Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Brayden Burries are the guards in consideration for the Clippers at that spot, with Darius Acuff and Kingston Flemings being less likely.

There are, however, multiple mentions of the Clippers trading down. It seems quite possible that the Clippers will move down on draft day – the questions would be how far down and for what additional assets. I think that the clear drop off in prospects after 4 makes a trade-down a fine strategy, but I wouldn’t want the Clippers to move down too far and lose out on taking a true Tier 2 level player.

2026 NBA Clippers Mock Draft Roundup: Two Weeks Out
Robert Flom

It’s been a couple of days since the NBA Draft Lottery, so a bunch of updated mock drafts are out. Here’s a roundup of five mock drafts and who they have the Clippers selecting with the 5^th pick.

ESPN: Keaton Wagler

“Wagler led Illinois all the way to the Final Four to cap one of the more remarkable prospect rises ever, entering the season as a curiosity for scouts and finishing as a bona fide top talent in an exceptional lottery class. While scouts expect it will take time for him to add strength and adjust physically to the NBA, the fact that Wagler is 6-foot-6, plays with change of pace and adds value at both guard positions points to major long-term upside as his body matures and he gains experience. His unusual trajectory and rapid improvement bode well.”

The Athletic: Keaton Wagler

“Wagler is probably the best fit with his size and ability to shoot off the catch. He is unequivocally this year’s biggest draft riser and maybe the biggest draft riser in the one-and-done era after leading Illinois to the Final Four.

Wagler was ranked outside the top 150 in the 2025 recruiting class but is a wildly impressive guard who can generate shots both for himself and his teammates, thanks to a crafty, creative handle and outstanding feel for the game. Illinois moved him to the lead guard position on Dec. 6; from that point, he averaged 19.1 points, five rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 45 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3 and 79 percent from the line.

Wagler is not very quick-twitch with his first step, and he has very little vertical explosiveness. He’s also not all that strong. But he uses the threat of his pull-up jump shot better than any player in the class and plays with an incredibly rhythmic, well-paced tempo that makes it hard for opponents to stay in front of him.”

SB Nation: Keaton Wagler

“Wagler entered Illinois as the No. 150 recruit in the rankings, and left as a lock to be a top-10 draft pick after just one season. The freshman started to ascend once he was moved into an on-ball role mid-way through the season, which allowed him to flash his fantastic pull-up shooting chops, his capable playmaking, and his turnover avoidance. Wagler loves to get into his step-back three, especially when a big switches onto him, but he’s equally adept at spacing the floor and shooting it with range off the catch. He’s not exactly Tyrese Haliburton as a passer, but the Illini guard was able to hit his talented teammates in stride all year while avoiding costly live-ball turnovers. There are still moments where you can see why Wagler was so under-the-radar as a recruit. He’s not a great athlete, and ended the year with zeros — a shocking stat for a 6’6 one-and-done lottery pick. He didn’t do much on defense, though that could be partially explained with Illinois’ conservative scheme that finished dead-last in defensive turnover rate. Do teams trust him to drive and finish at the rim against NBA athletes? Wagler’s skill set still feels pretty malleable as a tall guard who can shoot and won’t make a bunch of mistakes. This is the best story in this draft class, and it keeps getting better.”

Yahoo Sports: Keaton Wagler

“Though the Clippers traded for a younger guard in Darius Garland, Wagler makes the most sense here. At 6-foot-6, he can play with or without the ball and proved that last year in college. But he quickly became the orchestrator of a high-powered Illinois offense with his high-IQ playmaking and crafty scoring. Then he scored 46 at Purdue against a top-ranked team in the country — the most points by any freshman in Big Ten history. Then he kept rolling, and led the team to an unexpected Final Four appearance. Next to Garland, there’d be less pressure on him to be the man right away — which could be beneficial for his development. To become an NBA star, Wagler needs to overcome a lack of traditional athleticism after logging zero dunks as a freshman. But the best case is that his feel for the game is enough for him to continue ascending.”

The Ringer: Brayden Burries

“Somehow, the Clippers manage to come away from the Ivica Zubac trade with an exciting young talent, on top of all the other useful stuff they picked up at the deadline. But their midseason acquisition of Darius Garland makes you wonder whether they’ll shy away from the many smaller guards projected in this range. Burries, on the other hand, would be a dynamic partner for Garland who could cross-switch onto scoring guards. The Arizona freshman is a capable offensive player himself, and he could slot in immediately should they decide against re-signing Bennedict Mathurin. Burries is a winner, plain and simple, and he would hit the ground running for the Clippers.”

Well, four out of five sites currently have the Clippers taking Wagler with their pick. On first blush, Wagler is the obvious choice – he’s the tallest of the guards currently slotted in the 5-9 range on draft boards, and probably the one best suited to playing off ball (Burries is a close second). At the same time, he’s probably only mocked here so frequently precisely because he is the obvious choice on paper. In other words, I doubt any of these mocks are intel based, at least so soon after the lottery. We will see in the coming weeks, as interviews and workouts and scrimmages take place, how things adjust.

2026 Mock Draft Roundup: Immediate Post Lottery Edition
Robert Flom

The 2025 NBA Draft is tomorrow night, so here’s a last roundup of some big mock drafts and who they have the Clippers selecting at 30 and 51 in the draft.

ESPN: Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo (Updated June 23)

Clippers Pick 30: Noah Penda (SF/PF, Le Mans) – same as last update

Clippers Pick 51: Eric Dixon (PF, Villanova)

Bleacher Report: Jonathan Wasserman (Updated June 23)

Clippers Pick 30: Chaz Lanier (SG, Tennessee)

Explanation: “Chaz Lanier finished second at the NBA Combine in aggregate shooting, unsurprising based on his 229 made threes over the past two seasons. NBA teams that could use more offensive firepower will look past age and lack of versatility for such advanced shotmaking.”

Clippers Pick 51: Mark Sears (PG, Alabama) – same as last update

The Athletic: Sam Vecenie (Updated June 23)

Clippers Pick 30: Rasheer Fleming (PF, St. Joe’s)

Explanation: “Fleming very much looks the part at 6-8 with a 7-5 wingspan. He’s also got great leaping ability and a chiseled frame that allows him to play with force and strength on both ends. He averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game and drilled 39 percent from 3. The idea here is a 3-and-D forward who can potentially be switchable across the positional spectrum while also drilling 3s. But he doesn’t process things happening around him on the court quickly. Still, any team that values the frame and shooting potential will be interested in Fleming. The Clippers need more frontcourt depth and could see Fleming as an interesting answer as a small-ball five.”

Clippers Pick 51: Ryan Nembhard (PG, Alabama)

The Ringer: Kyle J Mann & Danny Chau (Updated June 24)

Clippers Pick 30: Kam Jones (G, Marquette)

Explanation: “The buzz around Jones subsided a bit during his senior year as his percentages from 3 dipped. But 10 seconds of research would reveal that his burden was significantly higher than in previous years, when he was wheeling and dealing next to (now New York Knick) Tyler Kolek. Without the All-American by his side last season, Jones was depended on to water the plants of Marquette’s offense while still scoring himself, and that proved to be a tougher task than working alongside another big-time creator. It’s highly unlikely that Jones will have to overextend himself like that ever again; he should instead be called on to hit open shots and keep the ball moving on offense. I expect his experience to shrink the gap between where he is and what the Clippers might ask of him in the near future.”

Clippers Pick 51: N/A

SB Nation: Ricky O’Donnell (Updated June 23)

Clippers Pick 30: Drake Powell (SF, North Carolina)

Clippers Pick 51: N/A

Yahoo: Kevin O’Connor (Updated June 23)

Clippers Pick 30: Rasheer Fleming (PF, St. Joe’s)

Explanation: “Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role player skill set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away.”

Clippers Pick 51: Johni Broome (C, Auburn)

Summary

This mock draft update brings some interesting elements to the table. Every single mock draft here (June 24 Noon Update: this is no longer true with the Ringer’s latest update) has the Clippers taking a wing of some kind (from the SG-type Lanier to the big power forward Fleming) at 30. That might not say as much about the Clippers’ thought process as it does the type of prospects who are going to be available at 30 and who the relative best prospects will likely be on the board. Still, it’s an interesting trend that really might have some meaning as to who the Clippers draft at 30.

The other note is that for the first time, multiple mock drafts are in alignment, with Fleming being chosen by two mocks as the Clippers pick (with O’Donnell choosing Powell, who had been Vecenie’s pick previously). Again, does that mean there’s real intel there? Or just that Fleming would be one of the better prospects available at 30 and fits a need on the Clippers’ roster as a big forward who can play small-ball center. Either way, I’d be quite happy with a Fleming pick at 30.

Four of the mocks had the Clippers’ pick at 51, and there was no overlap there. However, it is again interesting that two of the mocks had the Clippers taking point guards, and the other two had the Clippers drafting big men (Dixon is a power forward but probably more of a small-ball center in the NBA). Thus, the Clippers drafting a wing/forward of some kind at 30 and then a guard or big man at 51 seems to be the thought process, at least of plugged in draft experts.

Clippers 2025 Mock Draft Roundup: One Day Pre-Draft
Robert Flom

The 2025 NBA Draft is just a week away, so let’s do a quick round up of who all the most plugged-in draft writers have the Clippers taking with the 30^th and 51^st picks.

ESPN: Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo (Updated June 17)

Clippers Pick 30: Noah Penda (SF/PF, Le Mans)

Explanation: “Due to their hefty payroll, the Clippers should see value in rostering a rookie who can contribute with this pick. Finding someone who can complement their stars on a cost-controlled deal would be a win.

Penda has been an interesting sleeper name for teams due to his multipositional versatility, capable of playing all over the floor on offense and also defending several spots. While his perimeter shooting and limited run-jump athleticism are question marks for teams, his feel, skill and size are all nice selling points.

There remains curiosity among teams as to whether Penda will agree to be stashed overseas for another season, something that could help his chances of finding a comfortable draft slot.”

Clippers Pick 51: Viktor Lakhin (C, Clemson)

Bleacher Report: Jonathan Wasserman (Updated June 18)

Clippers Pick 30: Ben Saraf (PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm)

Explanation: “Ben Saraf has scored double figures in every playoff game through two rounds in Germany’s BBL. Slashing, mid-range scoring and playmaking IQ are behind the 19-year-old’s consistent production and NBA interest. But with questions about his three-point range and defense, and no opportunity yet to get in front of NBA teams with Ulm still going strong, the first round no longer seems like a lock.”

Clippers Pick 51: Mark Sears (PG, Alabama)

The Athletic: Sam Vecenie (Updated June 12)

Clippers Pick 30: Drake Powell (SG, North Carolina)

Explanation: “Powell has some momentum to end up somewhere in the back half of the first round because of his defense. Nobody guarded Flagg as well as Powell did this season. He’s just a long way away on offense, as he’s not that comfortable as a shooter or that capable as a ballhandler. It’s going to take him some time to play at the NBA level, even with his defensive skill. Still, he’s 6-5 with a 7-foot wingspan and is the kind of player the Clippers value as a tough-minded defender.”

Clippers Pick 51: Kobe Sanders (SF, Nevada)

The Ringer: J Kyle Mann & Danny Chau (Updated June 12)

Clippers Pick 30: Adou Thiero (SF/PF, Arkansas)

Explanation: “I’m of two minds when it comes to whether Thiero can contribute to an older team like the Clippers. On the one hand, he’ll need reps to expand his offensive game, which could be hard to come by. And if his shooting fails to stabilize—he’s mostly relegated to stationary catch-and-shoot looks right now—and he doesn’t make progress moving the ball within the offense, his career might hover in a stasis. On the other hand, Thiero is the type of possession-generating machine who could carve out a role for himself on a squad that could use the athletic splash. He’s a terror on the glass and tries, sometimes at the peril of his own safety, to dunk everything. I would enjoy this fit.”

Clippers Pick 51: N/A

Summary

There is not a single duplication here: every single site has the Clippers picking a different player both at 30 and 51. That does mean that the Clippers haven’t given anything obvious away, but it’s also realistic, as it’s impossible to predict exactly which players will or won’t be available that deep into the draft.

Looking at these players, there are a few patterns to sort through. All but one of the mocks had the Clippers selecting a wing of some kind at 30, with Ben Saraf (who is a large guard) being the lone exception. That tracks for the Clippers, who have largely been wing-obsessed in recent years but also have to account for Kawhi Leonard’s lack of availability and Nic Batum’s age.

The other interesting item is that of the seven players mocked to the Clippers, only one is a center, despite the Clippers’ glaring hole at backup big. That could mean something, or it could mean nothing. I would say I’d be slightly surprised if the Clippers didn’t take a point guard or big man with one of their picks, even if the other is a wing of some kind.

Looking at the mock drafts, it does seem very likely that the best players on the board at 30 will be wings or forwards, so it makes sense that the Clippers would take one. We will keep an eye on the mock boards and see if any consensus emerges in the coming days.

Clippers 2025 Mock Draft Roundup: One Week Before Draft Edition
Robert Flom

It’s now June and the deadline for players to return to college is over, so it’s time to do another Mock Draft review and see who the Clippers are projected to take with the 30^th and 48^th picks. The mocks are from Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo at ESPN, Sam Vecenie at the Athletic, Jonathan Wasserman at Bleacher Report, and Ricky O’Donnell at SB Nation, some of the most respected bigger media names on the draft, as well as Kevin O’Connor at the Ringer.

ESPN (Updated 6/2)

30th: Maxwell Lewis, SF – Pepperdine

Explanation: “After an uneven season at Pepperdine, Lewis has one of the bigger ranges of any player in the class, as he’s receiving interest from teams already in the late lottery extending throughout the first round. There aren’t many prospects with more natural talent in this stage than Lewis, who stands 6-7½ in shoes with a 7-foot wingspan and diverse shot-making and shot-creation prowess. Lewis’ performance in private workouts, where he thus far has excelled, should provide a better gauge of where his draft range lies ultimately.”

48^th: Bobi Klintman, SF/PF – Wake Forest

The Athletic

Hasn’t been updated since May 16^th (kind of odd) – Jaime Jaquez Jr. at 30 and Jordan Walsh at 48.

Bleacher Report (Updated 6/2)

30^th: Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF – UCLA

Explanation: “With Jaquez, there will be teams in the 20s and 30s willing to forget about upside, and instead value the floor tied to his physicality, intangibles and versatility. He’s drawn positive reviews for his shooting during workouts.”

48^th: Jalen Wilson, SF/PF – Kansas

Explanation: “Though Wilson struggled at the NBA combine, his college production, improved shot-making and strong frame will keep him in second-round conversations.”

SB Nation

Hasn’t been updated since May 16^th – Jordan Walsh at 30.

The Ringer (Updated 6/6)

30^th: Noah Clowney, PF/C – Alabama

Explanation: “Behind Ivica Zubac, the Clippers could use more versatility in their frontcourt—someone who can provide switchability without sacrificing rim protection.”

My Thoughts

There aren’t a ton of similarities in terms of specific player names, though Jaime Jaquez and Jordan Walsh are each mentioned twice. However, there are lots of commonalities between the selection both in this round of mock drafts, and in the previous round from a few weeks ago.

Most notably, every player listed but Clowney is a small forward or power forward. This makes sense from a Clippers’ roster perspective, as they’re heavy on guards and smaller wings but short on larger forwards, and the forwards they do have are all on the older and declining side. Drafting a forward or two to hopefully take the spots of whichever of the veteran forwards stick around for the next year or two make sense. Clowney is the only big man on the mock draft list, and there are no smaller guards at all. Again, it makes sense considering the Clippers’ roster.

There’s not much of a commonality in age/class either – Clowney and Walsh are freshmen, Lewis and Klintman are 20, and Jaquez is an older senior. This would indicate that the Clippers aren’t necessarily focused on getting a win-now player, and will take the best possible player, a strategy I agree with.

For the prospects themselves, I don’t love any of them, really, but none of them would be awful picks. The Clippers need young talent that can bring energy and athleticism, which is why I’d like for them to use both picks (even if 48 is on more of a draft-and-stash) and try to shift the roster younger by swapping out some of their older veterans for youth.

Early June 2023 Mock Draft Round Up – Clippers
Robert Flom

The 2023 NBA Draft lottery was yesterday, so it’s time to do a Mock Draft roundup and see who the Clippers are projected to take with the 30^th and 48^th picks. The mocks are from Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo at ESPN, Sam Vecenie at the Athletic, Jonathan Wasserman at Bleacher Report, and Ricky O’Donnell at SB Nation, the most respected bigger media names on the draft.

ESPN

30th: Jaime Jaquez Jr, SF – UCLA

Explanation: “With one of the league’s highest payrolls and entering a highly restrictive environment for adding talent dictated by the new CBA, the Clippers will need to find contributors in the draft to bolster their depth. Jaquez was one of the best players in college basketball and looks like a plug-and-play option who can contribute to winning immediately with his feel for the game, defensive acumen and ability to play a variety of roles. The Clippers will be well-acquainted with Jaquez after getting a front-seat view of the stellar career he had down the street in Westwood.”

48^th: Zach Edey, C – Purdue

The Athletic

30^th: Jaime Jaquez Jr, SF – UCLA

Explanation: “I’m betting Jaquez has a strong pre-draft workout circuit. He’ll impress in team meetings and will likely perform well when he goes into competitive settings due to his experience and skill level as well as his two-way prowess. Jaquez can create his own shot, defends well within a team construct and is the kind of player who will lift the energy and intensity of those around him. He’s a four-year player at UCLA who was an All-American this past season on the wing, helping to turn around a UCLA program under new coach Mick Cronin when he took over back in 2019 with his talent and leadership.

The Clippers tend to love guys with what they define as “Clipper DNA.” These guys, by and large, tend to be extremely competitive, tough and willing to put in effort on both ends. Jaquez needs to clean up his jumper off the catch, but as long as that happens, it’s easy to imagine him having a 10-year NBA career.”

48^th: Jordan Walsh, SF – Arkansas

Bleacher Report

30^th: Bilal Coulibaly, SF – Metropolitans 92

Explanation: “Coulibaly wasn’t productive enough for teams to reach in the top 20, but athleticism, shot-making flashes, defensive playmaking and age (19) create enough upside to entice a team in the late first round.”

48^th: Tosan Evbuomwan, PF – Princeton

Explanation: “Overlooked this season from the Ivy League, Evbuomwan earned himself NBA workouts during the NCAA tournament with his scoring craft and signature passing. He’s become an out-of-the-box facilitating big worth thinking about in the second round.”

SB Nation

30^th: Jordan Walsh, SF – Arkansas

Explanation: “Walsh is a defensive stopper on the wing who will need to improve his jump shot to stay in the league. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, the Arkansas forward is a determined defender who can switch ball screens and guard a variety of assignments. He can handle and pass the ball in transition a bit, but needs to figure out ways to score in the halfcourt. Still, there aren’t many wings this big and this skilled defensively if a team thinks it can improve his scoring against a set defense.

My Thoughts

There are some interesting trends here. First, Givony and Vecenie, the two most plugged-in draft guys, have the Clippers taking Jaime Jaquez Jr. Now, that might not be sourced reporting and more just on the fit at its face – ready-now, local kid, gritty mentality. However, it is notable, and if Jaquez continues to stick around as the Clippers’ choice here, it might start to mean something. Jordan Walsh was also mocked twice, though one was at 30 and the other was at 48th.

Second, all of the mock drafts have the Clippers taking a wing at 30, and only one pick across both 30 and 48 across all drafts goes to a non-forward (Edey by ESPN). That would suggest that early intel on the Clippers is wing-centric, which makes sense considering how few true wings they ended up having on a roster that was supposed to be about “wingstop”.

Third, I was very curious to see if any potential “draft and stash” guys were mocked to the Clippers – and I’m pretty sure Coulibaly would not be brought over right away. While guys are rarely stashed in the first round any more, the Clippers’ immense payroll (which they probably want to cut), crowded, veteran-heavy roster, and win-now mentality means stacking a full salaried rookie contract might be a tough sell. Of course, the Clippers are very likely to make roster changes this summer, which might hopefully free up some minutes for younger players, but right now there’s no path to minutes for any rookie.

As for the choices themselves, I wouldn’t hate any of them, though none are super exciting to me either. I know lots of Clippers fans would be hyped to get Jaquez, a UCLA legend, but his combination of age and lack of upside is a bit of a bummer. Still, he’s very tough and could be useful fairly quickly. Walsh is the opposite, a young freshman whose numbers at Arkansas were not hugely impressive, but has a 5-star HS recruit pedigree and has performed well at the NBA Draft Combine. It’s hard to see Walsh contributing in the short-term, but he’s someone with real long-term upside, particularly on defense.

Coulibaly is someone I’m not as familiar with, though I have seen him in a couple games for Metropolitans 92, as he’s a teammate of Victor Wembanyama. Coulibaly’s stats are pedestrian, but he’s 18 years old playing for the second-best team in the top league in France, which is extremely impressive. I’d need to watch more, but that experience already is intriguing.

Update: New Clippers selections were included for a revised Bleacher Report 2023 Mock Draft, with them now taking SF Andre Jackson Jr (UConn) at 30 and PF Coleman Hawkins (Illinois) at 48.

2023 NBA Mock Draft Clippers Roundup: Post-Lottery
Robert Flom

The 2020 NBA Draft is tomorrow, so mock drafts are getting updated rapidly. We put out a mock draft roundup two days ago, but with many changes taking place, we decided to put out another roundup of players projected to the Clippers in the 2020 NBA Draft.

ESPN: Marko Simonovic, Big Man

I don’t know too much about Simonovic, but he’s ranked well below 57 on the Athletic and ESPN’s Big Boards. He put up big stats for a good European team (Mega Bemax, where Ivica Zubac played), but has limitations defensively and has only a handful of games this 2021 season with good three-point percentages. Seems like a mostly traditional pick-and-roll big offensively and a vertical rim protector on defense. Would probably be a draft and stash while he develops.

The Athletic: Kenyon Martin Jr., Power Forward/Wing

While Vecenie updated his draft board, he’s left Martin for the Clippers. Maybe he’s heard something about that pick, maybe he just likes the fit, or maybe there’s just not enough info for him to adjust.

Sports Illustrated: Mason Jones, Wing

Mason Jones is a guy I like quite a bit. He didn’t stand out too much in my statistical model due to his pedestrian freshman season, but he was a monster in his sophomore year at Arkansas (22 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game on 61.4% TS), and clearly has a lot of talent. He was a transfer from a state college, so despite only being at Arkansas for two years he’s already 22.5. Additionally, his numbers were padded by huge free throw figures – which he certainly won’t get in the NBA. Only average (at best) athletically, Jones’ NBA prospects will depend on whether his shot is merely good, or if it can be better than that. He doesn’t have much upside, but could get buckets on a second unit almost as soon as he enters the league.

Bleacher Report: Sam Merrill, Wing

Merrill is probably my favorite realistic pick at 57, so it’s great that at least one mock had him projected there. Merrill is a dead-eye shooter, a very intelligent basketball player, and possesses enough size to defend most guards. His age and lack of top-tier athleticism makes him a low-ceiling pick, but the Clippers won’t find a guy who’s more likely to step onto an NBA court and contribute positive minutes at 57 than Merrill.

CBS: Naji Marshall, Wing

This pick is the same as last time as well, though talking to a couple people has raised my opinion of Naji a bit. He still wouldn’t be my top choice, but I think he’d be a fine pick.

Well, in this 2020 NBA Draft mock draft round, the Clippers were projected with three wings, a big, and a tweener forward (Martin), again indicating their interest in wings. It remains my prediction that if the Clippers pick a 57 they will take a wing, but would pick a point guard if they trade up.

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2020 NBA Draft Clippers Mock Draft Roundup
Robert Flom

The 2020 NBA Draft is just four days away, which means it’s time for another mock draft roundup! Most boards have been updated sometime in the past couple weeks, with ESPN’s board (almost always the most accurate) updated two days ago. That said, any mock draft will have a near-impossible time predicting picks as late as the Clippers at 57. With all that said, here are 2020 NBA mock draft results for the Clippers from ESPN, the Athletic, Sports Illustrated, and CBS.

ESPN: Justinian Jessup, Wing

Jessup is a 6’7 senior wing from Boise State who’s a lights-out shooter. Jessup shot 40.8% from three across his college career on 797 attempts, and has a pure jump shot stroke. The reason why he’s projected in the late 2^nd round is that outside of his size and shooting, he offers little else: he’s a below-average rebounder for his size, a non-factor as a playmaker, and has middling defensive stats. He’s a very good bet to be an at-least competent NBA shooter, but can he offer enough else (especially defensively) to stick in the NBA? At 57, it’s probably a gamble worth taking, though Nate Hinton was mocked at 58^th in this same draft, and Hinton is a far superior prospect.

Athletic: Kenyon Martin Jr., PF

Vecenie hasn’t updated his draft board since I last did the mock draft roundup, so there’s nothing new here. Martin is very athletic, but he hasn’t played at a level above high school and was not a top prospect before his “super senior” year at IMG Academy. He’s very much a tweener with the size of a large wing but who plays more like a big man. The athleticism is tantalizing, but he’d be a real project.

Sports Illustrated: Ashton Hagans, PG

I wrote about Hagans in my point guard prospects roundup – as someone the Clippers should avoid. While he’s a solid enough playmaker and was a very good defensive prospect at the NCAA level, he’s not overly large or athletic and doesn’t have a three-point shot or offer much shot creation. He’d be drafted as a Jevon Carter/De’Anthony Melton type of defensive-first backup point guard, but while both those guys have had some success early in their NBA careers, Hagan’s numbers in college were much worse than either of those guys. I’d much rather play Terance Mann at PG over Hagans.

CBS: Naji Marshall, Wing

Marshall is a junior from Xavier with a solid all-around game but who can’t shoot. At 6’7, he’s a strong rebounder, and also did a fair amount of playmaking for Xavier (though with a high turnover rate). Considering his age and size he’s a very inefficient scorer, and seems unlikely to make much of an impact on the offensive end at the NBA level. He’s a solid defender, but this would not be a great pickup in my opinion.

Overall, I do think it’s interesting that all but one of the mock drafts had the Clippers taking a wing of some kind. While the exact identity of the wing will be hard to predict, I think that does mean it’s likely the Clippers are looking more heavily at wings (and also point guards). They could still draft a big man, but this is a poor draft for bigs, so I’d be fine if they looked elsewhere.

2020 NBA Mock Draft Roundup: Four Days Out
Robert Flom

The NBA season is over, which means it is now draft season! Draft rumors are heating up as teams are finally conducting workouts and interviews with players, and will only heat up over the next month as the November 18 draft date approaches. The Clippers have only the 57^th pick in the draft, and seemingly don’t have much room on their roster to buy their way into another pick, so there’s not much information out there on the Clippers and what they might be looking for in the draft. Sites like Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, and the Ringer are doing mock drafts as well, but none of them are extending to the 2^nd round (yet). In a couple weeks, there might be more mock drafts to parse. That said, here’s an NBA mock draft roundup, mid-October edition.

The Athletic

Kenyon Martin Jr. – SF/PF, IMG Academy

Sports Illustrated

Ashton Hagans – PG, Kentucky

ESPN

Nick Richards – C, Kentucky

ESPN’s mock draft remains unchanged, though they did release an abundance of intel recently regarding updates mostly centered around lottery teams. As for the others, Hagans and Martin are both interesting picks. Hagans is a point guard, a position of need for the Clippers but also one where no rookie is likely to get time. He’s also one of those unusual young-ish (21 years old and a sophomore) Kentucky players whose stock failed to rise in college. This is probably largely due to his inability to shoot threes, and his fairly high turnover rate. I’m not really a huge fan of Hagans, but at 57, it’s hard to really complain.

Martin Jr., meanwhile, the son of former Clipper Kenyon Martin (boy do I feel old), is even more unusual in that he skipped college entirely. That path is becoming more common, but most of those players are going to the G-League or overseas, not opting for a 5^th year of prep school. Martin Jr. was not a particularly noteworthy prospect in his draft class, and was committed to Vanderbilt, not a blue blood college basketball program. The issue with Martin is that he plays like a SF/PF tweener (think Derrick Williams), but is undersized for the role. Still, he possesses athleticism every bit as fearsome as his father, and that alone makes him a fringe NBA prospect.

There’s still not a ton to go on here, and really, very few mock drafts can hold up at all as late in the draft as the Clippers are picking. Still, the lack of consensus on what type of player (young or old) or position that the Clippers might be interested in is possibly telling. Really, the biggest surprise is that nobody has projected that they will go for a stashed player in Europe to save a roster spot. The modern front office with Lawrence Frank has not done so (David Michineau being the infamous 2^nd round stash of the 2016 NBA Draft), but in this draft and with the Clippers current roster, a stash makes a great deal of sense.

Stay tuned for more on the draft as mock drafts start becoming more frequent and have better intel, and stay tuned for further updates on the Clippers’ new coaching staff.

213Hoops is an independently owned and operated L.A. Clippers blog by Clippers fans, for Clippers fans. If you enjoy our content, please consider subscribing to our Patreon. Subscriptions start at $1 a month and support from readers like you goes a long way towards helping us keep 213Hoops sustainable, growing, and thriving.

Clippers Mock Draft Roundup: Mid-October
Robert Flom