Los Angeles Clippers: 5 options for pick No. 12 in 2018 NBA Draft

The Los Angeles Clippers landed the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Here are five prospects they should consider selecting.

The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t see their own selection move up the draft board during the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery. However, the night was still a win for Los Angeles, as the acquisition of the Detroit Pistons’ first round pick became official.

On Jan. 29, the Clippers and Pistons completed a blockbuster trade. Los Angeles sent power forward Blake Griffin, power forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed to Detroit. In return, Detroit sent Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 first round pick and a 2019 second round pick to Los Angeles.

Getting out of Griffin’s long-term contract was an accomplishment for the Clippers. Getting a first round pick in return as well was even more of a coup. The Pistons’ selection was only top-four protected. The pick ended up not moving, landing at No. 12, which means the Clippers will now own that pick.

With the No. 12 pick now in their possession, the Clippers will be selecting back-to-back as their own pick landed at No. 13. Owning two picks in the lottery, albeit later on in the lottery, is a luxury few teams are ever afforded.

With two top-14 picks, the Clippers have a chance to add some young talent that can help out immediately. After not having many draft picks in recent years during the Lob City years, Los Angeles has a chance to restock its cupboard right away.

The Clippers were surprisingly competitive last season, especially after they traded away Griffin and dealt with a ton of injuries. An infusion of young talent could help push them over the edge and get them back into the playoff race.

This offseason could mark an end of an era of Jordan leaves as a free agent. They will need someone to take over as the face of the franchise, and one of these five prospects could become the next face of the Clippers.