As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in an intriguing position. Holding the 30th overall pick, they have an opportunity to add young talent to their roster. This article will explore ten interesting prospects who could be available when the Clippers are on the clock. Each player offers a unique skill set and potential to contribute to the team’s future success. Identifying the right fit is crucial for the Clippers to maximize their draft capital and strengthen their contention for an NBA title.
Potential Guard Selections for the Clippers
The Clippers could benefit from adding depth and scoring in their backcourt. Here are three guards who might be on their radar:
Ben Saraf
Ben Saraf, a 19-year-old international prospect from Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany), is an intriguing option. His EuroCup stats are impressive, averaging 12.8 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 24.4 minutes. While questions linger about his shooting and athleticism, Saraf projects as a solid backup point guard with playmaking abilities. The Clippers haven’t drafted an international player in a while, but Saraf’s potential might be too good to pass up.
Nolan Traore
Another young international point guard, Nolan Traore, played in the French LNB Pro A league. At 6’3”, he possesses size, burst, and playmaking skills. However, his scoring efficiency and turnover rate need improvement. Traore is a tools-based prospect with a high ceiling but a low floor, making him a risky but potentially rewarding pick for the Clippers.
Walter Clayton Jr.
Walter Clayton Jr. is a scoring guard who averaged 18.3 points per game for the NCAA-title winning Florida Gators, shooting 38.6% from three on 7.8 attempts. His combination of handle, shiftiness, and long-distance shooting makes him a valuable asset in the modern NBA. However, he is undersized at 6’2” and lacks elite athleticism. The Clippers could use a scoring punch off the bench, and Clayton fits that role perfectly while offering further upside.
Wing and Forward Prospects for the Clippers
Adding versatile wings and forwards is crucial for any NBA team. Here are three players who could address the Clippers’ needs:
Noah Penda
Noah Penda, a 6’7”, 242-pound wing from Le Mans (LNB Pro A), is physically gifted with a high motor. He’s a solid passer who processes the game well, drawing comparisons to Nic Batum. Penda’s success hinges on his three-point shooting; he made 34% of his threes last year, which isn’t great. If he becomes a consistent shooter, he could be a valuable 3-and-D forward.
Rasheer Fleming
Rasheer Fleming, a 6’8”, 232-pound forward from St. Joe’s, fits the Clippers’ needs perfectly. He shoots 39% on 4.5 attempts from deep and could potentially play small-ball center. While his ceiling is limited, he could fill the role Kobe Brown was supposed to as a big four or small five.
Adou Thiero
Adou Thiero had a breakout junior season at Arkansas, averaging just over 15 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He’s a physical, athletic defender who can guard multiple positions. While his offensive game needs work, the tools are there for a modern defensive wing with some offensive pop. He’s comparable to the Thompson twins, albeit not as athletic.
Drake Powell
Drake Powell is a full-sized guard with strong athleticism that was a high recruit going into UNC. The problem is that Powell was, to put it frankly, not very good on offense in his freshman season in college. He did, however, play defense at an extremely high level for a player his age, and that combined with his pedigree makes him an interesting play in this range.
Big Men Options for the Clippers
The Clippers could use more size and depth in their frontcourt. Here are three big men who could be available at pick 30:
Danny Wolf
Danny Wolf is a 7-foot big man who ran Michigan’s offense and is one of the best passers in the draft. He has flashed three-point shooting and has advanced handle for his size. However, his defense is a work in progress. It’s unclear whether Wolf can bang against NBA-caliber big men or defend on the perimeter. His shot is also somewhat of a question mark due to poor free throw shooting numbers. Still, he possesses unique skills and high upside.
Johni Broome
Johni Broome starred for an excellent Auburn team that made a deep NCAA Tournament run, averaging 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. He led the NCAA in multiple analytics stats. However, he might not be a good enough shooter to be a forward and is a bit small to be a center. Still, Broome is a skilled player who could be a potent bench scorer as a rookie.
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Ryan Kalkbrenner is a traditional big man who scores in the paint, rebounds, and blocks shots. He expanded his range beyond the three-point line over the past two seasons and has a solid free throw percentage for a big. There’s almost no upside, but Kalkbrenner could be a fine backup big right away.
The 2025 NBA Draft presents the Los Angeles Clippers with an opportunity to bolster their roster with young talent. Holding the 30th pick, they have a range of prospects to consider, from international guards like Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore to versatile wings like Noah Penda and Rasheer Fleming, and intriguing big men such as Danny Wolf and Johni Broome. Each player brings a unique skill set and potential to contribute to the team’s future success. The Clippers’ decision-makers will need to carefully evaluate these options and determine which player best fits their needs and long-term vision.
Ultimately, the goal is to identify a player who can complement the Clippers’ existing stars and contribute to their championship aspirations. Whether they opt for a high-upside project or a more NBA-ready prospect, the Clippers have a chance to add valuable depth and talent to their roster through the 2025 NBA Draft. The next few days will be crucial as they finalize their evaluations and prepare to make their selection.
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