Draft Night Chatter: Clippers Lean Toward Keeping No. 5 Pick; Nets Weigh Trade-Down Scenarios
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The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to hold on to the No. 5 selection in tonight’s NBA Draft and choose between Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Louisville guard Mikel Brown, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Despite weeks of speculation that L.A. might flip the pick for veteran help, Siegel reports there was no weekend buzz about a deal.
Siegel writes that Wagler projects as a high-level shooter who could share ball-handling duties with Darius Garland, while Brown offers a rare combination of size and athleticism and could eventually become the club’s primary scorer.
Brown appears nearly locked into the No. 5 or No. 6 slot because the Brooklyn Nets are also targeting him, Siegel adds. Brooklyn’s stance on Wagler is less defined, and the Nets have entertained offers to slide into the 8–12 range, where they could pursue Nate Ament, Aday Mara or Morez Johnson.
Multiple sources tell Siegel that Brooklyn could just stay at No. 6 and pick Ament. If that occurs, Sacramento might grab Darius Acuff at No. 7, potentially allowing Wagler to reach the Atlanta Hawks at No. 8. Siegel remains skeptical, noting several teams outside the top 10 are prepared to trade up if Wagler slips past No. 5.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have interest in Ament if they can bundle picks 12 and 17 to crack the top 10, Siegel reports. The Dallas Mavericks (No. 9) and Milwaukee Bucks (No. 10) are monitoring Ament’s status as well.
Atlanta is fielding calls on picks Nos. 8 and 23, though Siegel believes the Hawks are unlikely to part with the eighth choice. Among the suitors was Oklahoma City before last week’s Aaron Wiggins deal.
The New Orleans Pelicans are attempting to secure a lottery selection, engaging the Golden State Warriors, Mavericks, Thunder and Charlotte Hornets. All four clubs covet Trey Murphy III, but New Orleans continues to seek multiple quality assets. If the Pelicans get into the lottery, they are said to favor Ament and Cameron Carr.
Dallas has been shopping center Daniel Gafford and the No. 30 pick in hopes of moving into the top 20, according to Siegel. The Toronto Raptors (No. 19) and Hornets (Nos. 14 and 18) are viewed as potential partners. Carr and Labaron Philon are among Dallas’ possible targets, and the club recently worked out German big man Hannes Steinbach as a potential long-term Gafford replacement.
Source: Hoops Rumors
