Los Angeles Clippers: Grading The Offseason

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Branden Dawson at press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Drafting Branden Dawson

With the 56th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected small forward Branden Dawson, a four-year player from Michigan State. The Clippers didn’t have a pick in this year’s draft, but they traded into the Dawson pick for cash considerations — a pretty wise move for a GM in need of bench depth.

At 22 years old, Dawson is one of the oldest rookies in this year’s draft class, but he’s also an excellent defender and rebounder. At the NBA Summer Leaguer in Orlando, Dawson averaged 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, posting a double-double in three of his four games and finishing second in rebounding in the standings.

The all-time leader in blocks for the Spartans, Dawson was inconsistent in college, but when he’s locked in, he’s proven he can defend and affect the game on both ends of the floor. If he can add a consistent perimeter shot to his game, this will be a great move down the road, even with all the other depth Lob City added this summer.

Grade: A

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