On the NBA’s 2008 NBA Draft Lottery night, the Los Angeles Clippers came away with the seventh overall pick in this year’s deep draft, filled with a cast of extremely talented young ballplayers.

Clippers President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor provided Clippers.com with some brief sentiments:

Do you have a list of players you want to look at?
“Absolutely. We always have a list of players that we like and want to bring in.”

How much does roster uncertainty affect the draft process?
“It’s not going to affect who we draft.”

What are the specific needs right now?
“We just have to look at our point guard situation. Last year we had a lot of injuries. We just have to look at that position very closely. We’ll get it done.”

Could you consider a trade?
“If it would be beneficial to our team, absolutely.”

Head coach Mike Dunleavy, who represented the Clippers at the lottery, offered his insights as well.

Can you tell me about your experience, representing your team?
“Obviously, I’m a little disappointed. We were hoping to move up and we actually moved back one slot, but we should still be able to get a pretty good player.”

Your thoughts on the outcome of the lottery overall?
“It worked out pretty well for the Chicago Bulls, getting the number one pick. Miami got number two and Minnesota moved up one spot, so I’m sure all three of those teams are pretty happy.”

At this time are you going after a specific player or a specific position?
“We’re picking seventh. The idea is to go with who is the best player available at that time, but you also look at the draft in terms of what your needs are. Overall, best player is going to override need, but if you have a situation where it’s close, you go with your need. Until we get players in and start working them out, there may be specific needs that we’re targeting, but until we get to that point in the draft and evaluate the players in the draft we won’t be able to make that decision.”

Can you speak specifically on the depth of the point guard class this year?“Overall there are a lot of guys in the draft that play point guard, but not necessarily on a full-time basis. They may be combo guards that have the ability to play one and two. Therefore you would evaluate based on that and depending on your need for a pure point guard or a combo guard, or if you say you’re going to go for the best player available, you turn it into an asset for a need you might have.”

Do you have a list of players you want to look at?

“We’re at seven. We have a draft order probably of the top 15 players that will be in that range. There’s a new format in the NBA this year where teams are allowed to bring in six players for a workout as opposed to four players last year. With that format of looking at six players at a time, you can play three-on-three, and it lends the opportunity to evaluate the players in a different way, a better way, I think. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

“We’re allowed to start bringing in players as of June 1st. The trick to it all is getting the guys in that you want to get in and see them play against guys you want to see them play against. It’s an interesting dynamic to say the least. For us, bottom line is we have to get through all of that to get players in that we think can help us and help us evaluate our situation the best.”

“We can’t say certain names because there are certain guys in the draft that have the ability to go back to college and have not totally committed. As we bring guys in, it will be apparent what our objective is.”

What are the specific needs right now?
“You have to evaluate all scenarios that are available to you. One is via trade, one is via free agency and the draft. When it comes time to pick, you’re going to make that decision based on those evaluations. For us, we have a lot of moving parts right now. We have guys that are free agents, we have guys that have been injured and there’s a lot more information that we need to have.”

What went through your head when you knew the Bulls had a top three pick?
“Obviously I was disappointed. You’re hoping that when Adam Silver says, ‘And with the ninth pick…’ you’ll see Chicago come up. When they don’t and you see the Charlotte Bobcats come up instead, you think, ‘Damn.’ The more teams you get through the better the opportunity is available for you to move up. Chicago’s probability was one and a half percent, so it was a big move and a very positive thing for them.”

The Clippers own the rights to two picks in this year’s NBA Draft, one in the first round (7th overall) and one in the second round (35th overall). The draft will take place on June 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

For the past couple of season’s, the Clippers had been knocking at the door of having success. Especially after the year two season’s ago, when they made the second round of the playoffs and took the Suns to 6 games. It was thought that with Elton Brand as the centerpiece, this was a team that could easily make the conference, or NBA finals in just a couple of years. Unfortunately that never quite came to pass, and now everyone is left wondering why. They didn’t even make the playoffs this year, and was one of the worst teams in the NBA. Now this next upcoming season, after missing the playoffs and being terrible, is it possible they could make the playoffs? I think it is, even in a loaded Western Conference, and I’m ready to explain why if you keep with me.

First off, without Elton Brand, a few of the players turned out to get much better. Most notable in the improvement was Chris Kaman, the power house for the Clippers in Brand’s absence. His scoring got better, his rebounding got better, and his defense was much improved. He became the type of center that can help to be part of a solid team, and showed he is ready to step up as a big time player.

Along with him, came super rookie Al Thornton who showed a scoring touch reminescent of a poor man’s Carmelo Anthony. He had the ability to hit the mid-range shot, work on the post up, and all around just put the ball in the basket. A nice small forward, with the athleticism to go boot. All together, he was a great addition, and a pleasant surprise.

Finally, next season they will have the addition of Elton Brand. He is the defensive leader, and the scoring leader of this team. His ablity to draw double team’s and pass, as well as ability to score from the mid-range and on the post up make Elton Brand SO important. With him this Clippers team is a lowly, bottom feeder. With him, this is a Clippers team that can challenge for playoff spots, and chance’s to make it far in the playoffs. It was great when he was able to get back to the team this season. With him, this is already a team that can challenge for a playoff spot.

However, in the offseason they hope to get better than just challenging for a playoff spot, and I believe they can get better than that. With them having four spots set, they have the ability to really upgrade. Corey Maggette is a free agent, and trading him for quality depth behind Al Thornton is definately able to be done. It is needed for them to be good, and they don’t need him, so solidfying the bench they should do. Along with that, the draft will be important. I see them getting a solid draft pick in the 2 to 6 range. There they should be able to get the point guard they need, whether it be Rose or Mayo, and that will keep them in a great position to stay competitive and make the second round of the playoffs. Having a starting five of Rose/Mobley/Thornton/Brand/Kaman with a solid bench consisting of Knight and guys like Ross/whoever they get in the offseason will only make them better.

 Should they upgrade their bench, this is a second round team waiting to happen. They have the defense, they have the scoring balance and they have the skill level to make. With a decent summer’s draft picks and free agent signing’s, this is a team that I expect to make it to the next round of the final’s. For the upcoming season hopes, this should be the hopes for it.