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Steve Ballmer and Jerry West Attend Draft Combine

The LA Clippers do not have a first-round pick, but their FO is remaining diligent

Joey Linn

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE, via Getty Images
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The LA Clippers do not currently own a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, with their first-rounder going to OKC as part of the Paul George trade; however, the organization is still remaining diligent in the draft process. On Friday afternoon, the Clippers shared on Twitter that Steve Ballmer, Jerry West, and Lawrence Frank were in attendance at the NBA Draft combine, scouting the league's next young talent:

While the Clippers do not have a first-round pick in this year's draft, the team has shown an ability in recent years to find contributors in the late stages. Terance Mann was selected 48th overall, Brandon Boston Jr. was selected 51st overall, and Amir Coffey went un-drafted. The Clippers, despite some of their egregious first-round misses, have been able to draft competence later than it's typically found.

The Clippers will have the 43rd pick in the 2022 NBA draft, and will look to either deal that pick or use it on another potential contributor. While late picks rarely get legitimate minutes on title contenders, injuries forced the Clippers to go deep into their bench last year, making every roster spot valuable. With their G-League affiliate frequently being competitive as well, the Clippers have the option to develop young talent with the Agua Caliente Clippers as well.

With the savvy of Lawrence Frank, the wisdom of Jerry West, and the ambition of Steve Ballmer, those three franchise leaders are already starting to prepare for this upcoming season, starting with the draft.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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