While most of the NBA’s Lottery teams were busy selecting first-round talent in last week’s Draft, the Clippers found themselves on the outside looking in. Yeah, in a perfect Clippers’ world, Cleveland’s No. 1 selection of Kyrie Irving could have possibly been theirs – a piece lost in the Baron Davis–Mo Williams midseason swap – instead, they were left searching for new talent in the second round with a pair of selections.
Holding both the 37th and 47th picks, L.A. ultimately decided to put their faith in a duo of Georgia Bulldogs: Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie, respectively. With a roster already full of youth, the two rookies aren’t expected to provide a lot of production this season, but they are expected to make the squad by opening day – whenever that may be. Just as 2008 second-rounder, DeAndre Jordan, has developed into a very serviceable starting center, still full of untapped potential, the organization is hoping both Thompkins and Leslie can make good on their respective upsides. This week, the Clips introduced their two newest acquisitions at their training facility in Playa Vista, Calif., and from listening to both GM Neil Olshey and head coach Vinny Del Negro, it’s clear the organization is thoroughly excited about their new rooks.
What do you predict for the Clippers next season?
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