NBA Draft Lottery 2018: Who each team should take with the No. 1 pick
By Ian Levy
12. Los Angeles Clippers — Marvin Bagley (1.3% chance)
The Clippers reset their roster in the middle of season, sending Blake Griffin to the Pistons for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and a first round draft pick. The Clippers actually hold both their odds and the Pistons odds of landing the top pick, but it adds up to just a 1.3 percent chance of working out.
The Clippers are caught somewhere between rebuilding and contending and they have some pieces in place that might shape their draft strategy. With Lou Williams extended, Patrick Beverley still under contract and Milos Teodosic and Austin Rivers holding player options that are likely to be picked up, the Clippers don’t necessarily need a ball-handler like Doncic. The talent of DeAndre Ayton and Jaren Jackson is tantalizing but players are probably full-time centers at the next level and the Clippers are hoping that DeAndre Jordan will exercise his player option and stay as well.
All that makes a player like Bagley a lot more interesting. There is some overlap with Tobias Harris, who probably should be a full-time 4, but Bagley’s offensive game is potent and extremely polished. There will be more minutes for him than there likely would be for any of the other top pick possibilities. He’s talented enough to be considered for the top slot and his NBA-ready offensive game could help the Clippers within the current window of the veterans on their roster. It might not be the highest upside pick, but it could be the one that provides the most value for L.A.