2022 NBA Draft Grades for all 15 teams in the Western Conference

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Moussa Diabate #14 of the Michigan Wolverines and Santiago Vescovi #25 of the Tennessee Volunteers compete for a rebound in the first half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 19, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, 2022 NBA Draft Grades for all 15 teams in the Western Conference, 2022 NBA Draft Grades for all 15 teams in the Western Conference. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2022 NBA Draft Grades for the Western Conference: LA Clippers

Picks: Moussa Diabate, Center, Michigan (43)

The LA Clippers have spent a lot of draft capital assembling a very deep roster, but they held onto the 43rd pick in this year’s draft and used it to add a raw center in Moussa Diabate. He has plenty of length and grit, and he plays with energy on both ends of the court.

His combination of speed and length allows him to stay in front of a number of opposing players at various positions and he brings decent weakside shot-blocking as well.

The question for Diabate is whether he is simply a roll-man on offense or can develop the skills to be more. If the former, he should get a chance to hang on at the end of an NBA roster, such as the third center for the Clippers on a two-way deal this season. Yet if he can improve his passing or shooting, then he could be something a little more valuable.

The Clippers would have had the 12th pick in the draft this season, but it was instead owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Paul George deal. That’s a painful pick to lose, but George has been great for the Clippers and the deal seems well worth the cost.

Grade: C

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