LOS ANGELES — After flirting with the possibility of trading up to have a shot at a player such as Serbia’s Luka Doncic in Thursday’s NBA draft, the Clippers made a smaller move and used their lottery picks on a pair of players who could speed up their rebuilding process and become the backcourt of their future.
They also flirted with the possibility of a blockbuster trade.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Clippers tried using their two lottery picks to acquire San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, a deal that could have included forward Tobias Harris, but those talks never materialized.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, wouldn’t address the report.
“We don’t comment on any teams’ other players,” Frank said.
Instead, the Clippers, who owned the No. 12 and 13 selections, wound up with possibly the best point guard in the draft by acquiring Kentucky’s 6-foot-6 freshman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a trade with Charlotte.
The Clippers traded their 12th pick and two future second-round picks to Charlotte for the rights to Gilgeous-Alexander, who the Hornets took at No. 11. The Clippers drafted Villanova’s Miles Bridges with their 12th pick and sent his rights to Charlotte.
In somewhat of a surprise move, the Clippers took Boston College junior Jerome Robinson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard whose draft stock climbed in recent months, with the No. 13 pick.
The 21-year-old had a breakthrough junior season, averaging nearly 21 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep.
“We’re super, super excited to add two high-character, tough, high-IQ players, that’s how we identify what a Clipper is,” Frank said. “Both these guys are great representatives of who we are and the direction we’re going.
“First with Shai, you talk about a guy who has a huge chip on his shoulder and has an unbelievable workout and drive to be a good player.
“And with Robinson he’s one of the more gifted all-around players in the country. He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and North Carolina State had an opportunity to get him. One of his closest friends was the head coach’s son and he goes to Boston College instead and is the leading scorer in the ACC and one of the top players in the conference. He just grinds and works.”
Clippers President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank on the draft pic.twitter.com/TSF6PxJfoF
— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) June 22, 2018
Gilgeous-Alexander, a lengthy versatile guard who can score at the rim and defend, averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. He has a rangy 6-11 wingspan that scouts raved about before the draft.
“It’s a great feeling,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of being drafted by the Clippers. “Being able to play in the NBA, that’s first and foremost and being drafted to a team that you fit well.”
He also comes with some swagger.
“I feel like they don’t have an alpha dog point guard at the moment and a guy that brings ultimate leadership to the group and that’s one of my biggest attributes,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who grew up in Canada and played for the Canadian Junior National Team. He played high school basketball in Tennessee. “My competitive nature and my leadership, that’s what makes me an alpha dog.”
He also said adapting to Los Angeles’ lifestyle won’t be an issue.
“Great city,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Although there are a lot of distractions, I’m focused and know what I want to do with this game.”
More .. Clippers President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank on the draft pic.twitter.com/QXe8g2mpse
— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) June 22, 2018
Although he will also share the backcourt with veteran point guard Patrick Beverley, Gilgeous-Alexancder looks forward to going at the tenacious, talkative defender in practice.
“I’m looking forward to playing everybody in the NBA and the point guards in particular,” he said. “A guy like Patrick really goes at guys, so I can’t wait to go against him in practice.”
Robinson said he brings a lot to the table as well.
“I think I can bring being a shot maker at three levels,” Robinson said. A playmaker, a guy that can guard and play multiple positions. The NBA is going really versatile and that’s something I have.”
He also believes he fits well with Gilgeous-Alexander.
“We’re both really good playmakers and being able to play off each other,” Robinson said. “Having someone like that makes it easy for yourself.”
The Clippers opted for both picks instead of gambling on Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr., who many considered a top-five or top-10 talent before health concerns sent him sliding down the draft board. He was the final lottery pick, going to Denver at No. 14.
Porter played in only three games with Missouri after sustaining a back injury in his opening game for the Tigers.
As expected, Arizona’s Deandre Ayton was the top overall pick for the Phoenix Suns, with Marvin Bagley III going No. 2 to Sacramento.
In a deal struck shortly before their pick, the Hawks selected Doncic at No. 3 and traded him to Dallas. In return, the Mavericks took Oklahoma’s Trae Young with the fifth pick and traded him and a protected future first-round pick to Atlanta.
The next big news for the Clippers is waiting on center DeAndre Jordan, who has until the end of the month to let the team know whether he will opt out of his contract for next season, worth $24 million.
Earlier in the day it was reported that Clippers guard Austin Rivers will exercise his player option for next season at $12.7 million.
The Clippers also are expected to waive 31-year-old point guard Milos Teodosic, who the team signed last summer to a two-year contract worth $12.3 million.
Teodosic averaged nearly 10 points with 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 36 starts.
Teodosic has a player option worth $6.3 million that he will likely exercise, then the Clippers will have until July 15 to waive him.
We interrupt #LACDraft18 with this draft pick selfie
#NationalSelfieDay pic.twitter.com/5ENMVil4xD
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) June 22, 2018
