Los Angeles Clippers: Top 10 Draft Picks in Franchise History

The Los Angeles Clippers are often considered the laughing stock of the NBA, but with the emergence of Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, the Clippers are a franchise on the rise.

While they have certainly made their share of mistakes on draft day, the following is a list of the top 10 draft picks the Clippers have made since they moved to Los Angeles in 1984.

No. 10 Benoit Benjamin No. 3 Overall, 1985

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1988-1989: Center Benoit Benjamin of the Los Angeles Clippers (right) keeps the ball away from Joe Cooper of the Denver Nuggets during a game at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

I know some might say, "Benoit Benjamin?'' Yes, Benjamin wasn't as good as the Clippers thought he would be, but he spent five and half seasons with the Clippers and averaged more than 12 points and eight rebounds a game. He was a solid, not spectacular, center who probably could have done a lot more with a stronger work ethic.

No. 9 Maurice Taylor No. 14 Overall, 1997

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2 Dec 1999: Maurice Taylor #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks on the court during a game against the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 109-96. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

A power forward out of Michigan, Taylor spent just three seasons with the Clippers, but in his time he averaged more than 14 points per game. He never had a better season after he left Los Angeles for Houston in 2000.

No. 8 Loy Vaught No. 13 Overall, 1990

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18 Nov 1997: Loy Vaught of the Los Angeles Clippers defends in a match between the Los Angeles Clippers v Orlando Magic played at the Orlando Arena, Orlando, Florida, USA. \ Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

Another power forward out of Michigan, Vaught spent eight seasons with the Clippers. He averaged more than 11 points and seven rebounds in his Clipper career. He posted back-to-back seasons of averaging more than a double-double during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. The Clippers got very good value out of the selection of Vaught.

No. 7 Michael Cage, No. 14 Overall, 1984

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LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 1: Michael Cage #44 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks across the court during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum, in Los Angeles, California on January 1, 1988. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

The Clippers had two first-round picks in their first season in Los Angeles in 1984. They struck out with Lancaster Gordon at No. 8 overall but made a fine selection with Cage in the 14th spot.

Cage spent just four seasons with the Clippers and  led the NBA in rebounding in his final season in Los Angeles with an impressive 13 per game.

No. 6 Ken Norman, No. 19 Overall, 1987

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1989-1990: Forward Ken Norman of the Los Angeles Clippers in action with the ball. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

The Clippers had three first-round picks in 1987, the last of which was Norman. They struck out on the first two, but Norman had a solid career in Los Angeles, even though he was often overshadowed by others.

Norman, a small forward, averaged more than 14 points per game during his six seasons in Los Angeles.

No. 5 Chris Kaman, No. 6 Overall, 2003

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: Chris Kaman #35 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks against the the New Jersey Nets on January 18, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 106-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Kaman was the sixth pick of the storied 2003 draft behind LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dywane Wade.

Although he has been injured much of this season, Kaman has shown steady improvement through much of his career with the Clippers and is considered one of the better starting centers in the NBA. He improved enough to be selected to the 2010 NBA All-Star game.

No. 4 Lamar Odom, No. 4 Overall, 1999

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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 19: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Clippers talks with referee Violet Palmer during the NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on February 19, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 110-104. NOTE TO U

The current Laker now married to Khloe Kardashian had a solid four-year career with the Clippers before joining the Miami Heat and now the rival Lakers.

Odom averaged more than 15 points per game with the Clippers and played a number of positions, as he has done throughout his career.

No. 3 Danny Manning, No. 1 Overall, 1988

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28 Nov 1992: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS FORWARD DANNY MANNING DURING A REGULAR SEASON GAME AGAINST THE DENVER NUGGETS.

The top pick in the 1988 draft, Manning suffered a torn ACL in his first season. He came back and had a very good career with the Clippers, even though some thought he would become a superstar. He never averaged less than 15 points per game in a season in his five and a half years in Los Angeles.

He was selected to play in the All-Star game in 1992-93 when he averaged 22.8 points per game.

No. 2 Eric Gordon, No. 7 Overall, 2008

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers heads to the basket in front of Carlos Arroyo #8 of the Miami Heat at Staples Center on January 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Gordon has emerged as one of the top shooting guards in the NBA in his third season. After averaging more than 16 points per game in his first two seasons with the Clippers, Gordon has become a dominant shooter this season averaging more than 24 points per game.

No. 1 Blake Griffin, No. 1 Overall, 2009

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 20: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for a dunk during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers defeated the Timberw

Like Danny Manning, Griffin was a forward from a Big-12 school that suffered a major injury in his first season with the Clippers. Unlike Manning, Griffin didn't play a single game in the regular season, making this season his rookie year.

Griffin has become one of the most exciting players in the NBA. He is among the league leaders in scoring and rebounds and is a safe bet for Rookie of the Year honors.