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Los Angeles Clippers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 19, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brice Johnson (North Carolina) walks off stage after being selected as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Pick No. 1

At this point it’s hard to tell what’s more frustrating: general manager Doc Rivers‘ tendency to trade away future first round picks in ill-advised deals, or his inability to put them to good use when he actually does keep them.

As if the Clippers hadn’t already learned their lesson about drafting tweeners or low-upside draft prospects from North Carolina like Branden Dawson and Reggie Bullock, Rivers used the 25th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft on Brice Johnson, a 6’10” forward from North Carolina.

To be fair to Johnson, he was a great rebounder and shot-blocker in college, averaging 17.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in his senior season. In five NBA Summer League games, he posted 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 50 percent shooting.

He has an efficient midrange shot, posted a 61.4 field goal percentage in his final collegiate season and has plenty of bounce.

But for a player who really needs to get stronger and expand the range on his jumper, his role as a modern-day 4 remains questionable. If he can’t battle down low or stretch the floor, how much better does he really make the Clippers next season?

Like many of Rivers’ selections over the last few years, Johnson also doesn’t have much upside at age 22, so if he’s unable to help from the start, what was the point of taking him over a high-upside youngster?

With prospects like Dejounte Murray, Deyonta Davis or Cheick Diallo still available, there may have been better options on the board.

Grade: C

Next: Draft Pick No. 2

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