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Pre Draft Interview

Draft Presser with GM Andrew

The NLL silly season is upon us, a time that brings change in some weird and wonderful ways, and for Clippers GM it has been very quiet, in fact the past 12 months have been extraordinarily quiet, which resulted in 2 trades for the entire season. Will that change moving forward? ESPN analyst I.P Freely sat down to discuss the off season and draft

ESPN: The draft is only a matter of days away, after countless time spent scouting prospects and watching videos have you come closer to a deciding who will be drafted by the LA Clippers for season 2017/18

GM Andrew: No, not at all, it just gets harder to be honest, Firstly it really depends what happens above us at the #1 and #2 spots with Atlanta and Dallas respectively, we fully expect Markelle first of the board but it gets a little less clear after that. We assume Josh Jackson and Lonzo Ball will be in play as possible number two picks when it gets to that second pick

ESPN: have you played out different scenarios in the war room, in relation to each scenario

GM Andrew: Absolutely we have, we have also received multiple calls asking our intentions regarding draft prospects, which are completely up in the air at this point. The NBA draft will play heavily into our decision making

ESPN: with 2015 #2 drafts pick on the roster there is conjecture that if Lonzo Ball falls to number three you will pass and opt for a player considered more “of Need”

GM Andrew: While we can’t say who we will or won’t draft, we can say with full transparency team fit is not considered a very high factor when drafting and never will be considered a factor.

ESPN: Can we assume that D’Angelo Russell is being traded in the case Lonzo plays in LA?

GM Andrew: No, that would not be the case. D’Angelo can easily shift to a shooting guard role with last seasons back court partner Devin Booker to a small forward role. There are countless scenarios that have been played out in the Clippers war room that could see LA add multiple back court prospects. Whether that happens or not is another question.

ESPN: You have made it no secret of your infatuation with former NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr, any reason for that?

GM Andrew: Quite simple really, Dennis has the potential to be not only the best point guard drafted but the best player in draft overall, prior to his knee injury was considered arguably the best point guard in class, we find it quite funny that De’Aaron Fox gets adulation for his one game in destroying current draft bad boy Lonzo Ball, while its quite easy to forget or simply have missed DSJ’s one man demolition of Duke in their only home loss last year, extremely under rated prospect in my opinion!!

ESPN: would you say Dennis is a lock to be in a clipper uniform next season?

GM Andrew: No I wouldn’t say a lock, I also wouldn’t bet against it from happening. Let’s just say we will see what happens in a few days.

ESPN: Any possible chance that any picks could be traded prior to or during the draft?

GM Andrew: That’s something we will keep an eye on. While we aren’t actively shopping the chance to add players ready to lead from day one is something we aren’t ignoring. From a team standpoint it’s also a tricky situation adding big salary or UFA is tough in particular just due to record and the number of RFA we have over the coming seasons.

ESPN: with five draft picks and a full complement on roster obviously a number of moves have to be made

GM Andrew: That’s right we will move players on in time and have already made it known who is readily available, let’s just say it’s a long off season

Lottery Mock 2017

1. Atlanta – Markelle Fultz

2. Dallas – Josh Jackson

3. Clippers – Lonzo Ball

4. Clippers – Dennis Smith Jr

5. Memphis – Jayson Tatum

6. Detroit – DeAaron Fox

7. Indiana – Jonathon Isaac

8. Dallas – Frank Nitikilina

9. Orlando – Lauri Markannen

10. Atlanta – Zach Collins

11. Memphis – Donavon Mitchell

12. Dallas – John Collins

13. Charlotte – OG Anunoby

14. Clippers – Jonah Bolden