Are the Clippers Really Going To Draft Blake Griffin?
Since the college basketball season ended, the wait was on for Blake Griffin on what team was going to get the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
It turns out it was the Los Angeles Clippers.
Which, in itself, brings up the question: Are the Clippers going to draft Griffin with the No. 1 pick?
From all the rumors that were out about the Clippers, it was stated that the team had their interest in another player, a point guard from Spain named Ricky Rubio.
The reason being that the Clippers supposedly want to unload Baron Davis.
Davis didn't have a very good season, and reports were that he didn't like the slower style that Mike Dunleavy is more comfortable with.
This raises another question: Do the Clippers trade Davis and select Rubio with the first pick?
Do the Clippers look to trade down instead of taking No. 1?
Right now, the Clippers have a Power Forward in Zach Randolph who is a 20 and 10 player, but is also a blackhole—meaning once he gets the ball don't look for him to pass.
So, the Clippers could try to unload Randolph as well to a team that needs a power forward.
Of course that would mean that the Clippers would be drafting Griffin. Even from reports, Griffin has said "there's no guarantee that the Clippers are taking me first."
If the Clippers do not trade Randolph then it is obvious that their selection is going to be Rubio, and the Clippers would then look to unload Davis.
What may be interesting is if the Clippers decide to spend as well if they do draft Rubio. There's two free agent power forwards who are proven players in either Carlos Boozer or Paul Milsap.
Boozer (supposedly) has a house in Los Angeles, so the Clippers could be a perfect fit as well if the team can get rid of both Randolph and Davis.
The Clippers starting lineup then would look like this:
Point Guard: Ricky Rubio
Shooting Guard: Eric Gordon
Small Forward: Al Thornton
Power Forward: Zach Randolph, Carlos Boozer, or Paul Milsap
Center: Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby
If the Clippers go with Griffin their lineup would look like this:
Point Guard: Baron Davis
Shooting Guard: Eric Davs
Small Forward: Al Thornton
Power Forward: Blake Griffin
Center: Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby
Even with that, the Clippers have a tough choice to make, and it isn't as easy as it looks. Yet, the Clippers will more than likely go after Rubio because ,even if they do not pick up/sign another power forward or trade for one, the Clippers have some capable big men in Camby, Kaman, and Randolph.
