How Doc Rivers made most of the Clippers draft picks disappear
The Clippers better win with the current core, because they’ve traded many of their draft picks over the next several years.
The Los Angeles Clippers are a win-now team, whether they like it or not. Not only does a core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan demand that the franchise do its best to surround that group with the most talent possible, but management's efforts to do that have left the team bereft of the draft picks that are so important to long-term success.
The Clippers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, but their future is underpinned by concerns over a lack of incoming talent. Where other teams have hoarded draft picks, Los Angeles' top decision-maker, Doc Rivers, has done the complete opposite.
Because Rivers hasn’t been shy to ship away many of L.A.‘s picks, the team has zero picks in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday. The Clippers won’t be participating in the draft unless they acquire a pick in the next day or so. This may not be the last time that happens.
Here’s where all of Rivers’ draft picks have gone.
2013
1ST ROUND: Drafted Reggie Bullock with No. 25 pick. Traded Bullock in January of this year to acquire Austin Rivers, who is Doc's son.
2ND ROUND: Sent to Pistons in 2010 as part of a long-forgotten trade for Alex Acker.
2014
1ST ROUND: Drafted C.J. Wilcox at No. 28 overall. Wilcox played just 21 games as a rookie and barely saw action even then.
2ND ROUND: Traded to New Orleans in 2010 as part of a deal for Bobby Brown.
2015
1ST ROUND: Traded what became the No. 28 pick to Boston to secure Doc himself. This was the deal the teams agreed to after one involving a swap of Kevin Garnett and DeAndre Jordan was vetoed by the league.
2ND ROUND: Traded to Denver in 2009 to land Cheihk Samb, who was last seen playing in Iran.
2016
1ST ROUND: Still owned by the Clippers ... for now.
2ND ROUND: Still owned by Clippers, can swap with the Nets.
2017
1ST ROUND: Traded to Milwaukee in 2014 (protected top-14 in 2017-19) to shed the two years and $8.5 million remaining on Jared Dudley’s contract. Dudley had an excellent year for the Bucks and may opt out of his final year. Rivers used the savings to sign Ekpe Udoh and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Neither played much and both are expected to sign elsewhere.
2ND ROUND: Traded to Boston in 2015 along with Bullock as part of the deal for Doc Rivers’ son.
2018
1ST ROUND: Still owned by the Clippers.
2ND ROUND: Traded to Philadelphia in 2014 to shed Byron Mullens' contract. Mullens was signed to the bi-annual exception by Rivers before the 2013-14 season.
★★★
For the price of four first-round picks and five second-round picks, the Clippers have received ... the right for Rivers to coach the team, two years of Doc’s son and C.J. Wilcox. That’s why they’ve had such a tough time building out the roster around CP3, Blake and DeAndre.
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