Current Roster
PG: Jawun Evans
SG: Jamal Crawford/Austin Rivers/Sindarius Thornwell
SF: Wesley Johnson/Paul Pierce
PF: Brice Johnson
C: DeAndre Jordan/Diamond Stone
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Chris Paul
F Blake Griffin
G JJ Redick
F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (player option)
F Alan Anderson
F Brandon Bass
G Raymond Felton
F Marreese Speights
Restricted
None
Who They Drafted
2-39 Jawun Evans, PG Oklahoma State
2-48 Sindarius Thornwell, SG Los Angeles
The Clippers came into draft night without a draft pick, but bought two picks from the 76ers and Bucks, taking two guard prospects. First, they drafted Jawun Evans, a player that I though should be a lottery pick but slipped, likely because of his size. Evans is, ironically, very similar to Chris Paul when it comes to size and style of play, though Paul is obviously much better. Evans plays with a dynamic speed and quickness while also utilizing change of pace and hesitation moves as well as pure quickness to get by players, he is also a capable shooter and excellent ballhandler. Defensively, he has tools (his wingspan is actually longer than the 6-5 Luke Kennard) but will likely always be at a disadvantage, hopefully in a reduced role he can ratchet up the intensity a little bit. Because the Clippers roster is in such flux, it is unclear who Evans will be playing with but ideally he'll have a big to play pick-and-roll with (I thought he was the best at this in the whole draft) and some shooters around to give him space to operate. The Clippers have cycled through a poo-poo platter of backup guards in the last couple of years, but hopefully in Evans they have finally found a young player that can give them quality minutes and help to alleviate some of the drop off when Paul (assuming he resigns) leaves the floor, something that has plagued them for years.
With their next purchased pick, the Clippers drafted another guard, this time of the off-ball variety. Sindarius Thornwell was one of the best players in college basketball, winning SEC Player of the Year and leading South Carolina to the Final Four. However, he might have been the best player in college basketball last season, at least statistically. Thornwell was the best in college basketball in both offensive and defensive Box Score Plus Minus, as well fifth in Win Shares and second in Win Shares Per 40 and top ten in Defensive Rating. These stats paint a super star picture, and Thornwell isn't that, but they are also representative of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. Despite not being a great athlete, Thornwell is a switchable defender with long arms (6-10 wingspan) and strength; he plays with a lot of toughness and intensity, quick on the perimeter but willing to battle into the paint. Thornwell makes plays defensively as well, averaging 2.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40. His motor and intensity translates to the glass as well, where he grabbed 12% of available misses, an excellent number for a guard. Due to his lack of elite athletic ability, Thornwell projects as more of a role player overall, but one with a lot of nice little offensive skills. As a shooter he has been up and down in his career, but should end up as a solid 35%-ish shooter that can comfortably handle the ball, even if he lacks dynamism off the dribble, similarly his passing ability is solid, if unspectacular, good enough that he should be a ball mover, provided he is willing to accept a less role in the NBA, something not all college stars are willing to do. For the Clippers, Thornwell makes it easier for them to move on from the bad contracts of Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers (as long as they realize the contracts actually are bad) while also giving them a solid bench option that can fit into their switching defense.
What They Need Going Forward
It seems as if JJ Redick is moving on but the futures of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are very much up in the air and what happens with them will very much dictate any future moves they make. If Paul stays and Griffin leaves, they will have a void at power forward (the only power forward on the roster right now is Brice Johnson, who might not even be and NBA player), a 4 that can shoot better than Griffin would fit with what the Clippers want to do, which isn't to say that they would be able to sign a better player, just a better fit. On the other hand, if Paul leaves and Griffin stays, they could look to acquire a cheaper, veteran point guard to span the gap until Evans is ready to start. If both stay, they won't have much flexibility but will need backup big men and perhaps another body on the wing that could challenge for a starting spot, even if they don't have much money to spend, vets will take less to play in LA. Another shooter to replace Redick is also something they need. If both leave... well then it should be all aboard to Tanksville and DeAndre Jordan should be dealt.
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