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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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March 20, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Diamond Stone (33) moves to the basket against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors forward Stefan Jankovic (33) during the second half in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Pick No. 3

Unfortunately for the Clippers, their best value pick was their third and final selection in the draft, taking Maryland’s Diamond Stone at No. 40.

A 6’10” center, Stone can eventually help fill the gap left by Cole Aldrich in the frontcourt. He has a ton of talent, a 7’3″ wing span, an excellent low-post game, plenty of strength, great hands, solid footwork and decent range on his jump shot too.

Stone averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in his only season with the Terrapins, shooting 56.8 percent from the floor. At NBA Summer League, he averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on 52.3 percent shooting.

The biggest reason Stone fell as far as he did was teams were concerned about his work ethic, but if he’s able to find it under Rivers, the Clippers will have added a solid bench piece on a three-year deal, with the first two years being guaranteed.

Nabbing a physical specimen like Stone is great second round value, but the Michineau pick was truly baffling, and since the Clippers had Diallo and all his upside at No. 33, it feels like they would’ve been better off just keeping him.

Grade: B-

Next: Let The Rivers Flow

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