Clippers would be better off with draft pick than playoff spot
Just two games out of the final playoff spot, the Los Angeles Clippers would be better suited focusing on the future than the present.
Being a middle of the pack squad in the NBA is the worst position a team can be in. The team itself isn’t good enough to contend for a championship, but also not bad enough to warrant a high draft slot.
The lack of progress on either side leads to a lack of improvement, which, after a couple seasons, leads to stagnation.
After trading Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons in late January, many thought the Los Angeles Clippers would go into full-on tank-mode with the hopes of accelerating their new rebuild with a top prospect in this upcoming draft.
With a mix of something-to-prove veterans and scrappy youngsters, the Clippers have done no such thing, as they’re currently two games out of the final playoff spot with five games left to play.
With all the storylines surrounding the departures of both Chris Paul and Griffin, it would be a major win for the Clippers organization to grab one of those playoff spots, especially in the unmerciful Western Conference.
However, because of the departure of their dynamic duo, the Clippers have shifted their focus toward the future, hoping to rebuild like their L.A. counterparts.
Making the playoffs would be nice, but what purpose would it serve? Getting bounced out of the first round by the Houston Rockets isn’t moving this team in the right direction. Yes, it’s a nice story and it builds a winning culture, but a team’s culture is only as good as the team itself, and an early playoff exit won’t help the team gain the talent necessary to compete in the future.
If the Clippers were to miss the playoffs, it would secure them a spot in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery. With the 13th-worst record, L.A.’s odds of securing a top selection wouldn’t be great, but the NBA has seen plenty of lottery luck in the past.
Assuming the pick falls to No. 13, the Clippers may still be able to find a diamond in the rough in what’s supposed to be a loaded 2018 draft class. After all, Kobe Bryant was taken 13th overall in 1996.
Couple the 13th pick with Detroit’s first-rounder from the Griffin trade, which currently sits with the 12th-best odds of the top pick, and the Clippers could see themselves with two young building blocks for the future.
Instead of a short-lived playoff run, the Clippers would have two young studs they could groom into potential impact players, maybe even stars.
Making the playoffs is always the sexy option for teams teetering in mediocrity, and depending on the state of the franchise, it makes complete sense.
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The Clippers, however, are a team in the early stages of a rebuilding phase. They should be looking to acquire as much young talent as possible. Making the playoffs does no good for the future of the franchise, which is where this team needs to be looking if it hopes to regain its relevance.