Fansided

NBA Draft 2016: Grades for every team

By Cody Williams

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: Brice Johnson shakes hands with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: Brice Johnson shakes hands with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Clippers

No. 25 Brice Johnson, No. 39 David Michineau, No. 40 Diamond Stone

This might have been the hardest draft situation to assess out of every team that made moves or selections on Thursday night. That’s in part because there’s such a stark contrast in how I feel but what they did in the first round and what the Los Angeles Clippers did in the second round. It’s hard to figure out how those two things balance out in terms of grading the night and situation, but we have to try.

As far as the Clippers picking at No. 25 goes, I love the Brice Johnson pick for them. If there’s one weakness that isn’t star players punching staffers in the face and then breaking their hands that you can point to with the Clips, it’s the depth of their frontcourt. When Blake Griffin did go out with that suspension and injury, it was a divine miracle that the Clippers were able to stay afloat in the Western Conference standings. Now they’ll have a player in Johnson that can run the floor, rebound well, block some shots, and score effectively at the rim coming off of the bench.

On the other hand, I’m thoroughly confused as to why the Clippers wouldn’t look at backcourt players that will play immediately with their second round picks. Why add another big man in Diamond Stone (or why add Stone at all, even) and why add a guard in David Michineau that doesn’t seem like he’s about to contribute right now. That dampens the draft for the Clips a bit, but the Johnson pick was so quality that I still give LA solid marks.

Final Grade: B-

Next: Lakers

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