Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers, by virtue of having an outstanding season, will have the unusual NBA draft picking spot of 25. The Clippers usually have had a lottery pick.
Picking that far down in the first round might not produce the Clippers the type of player they might desire, unless they make a trade for a higher pick.
With Chauncey Billups in the twilight of his career, the Clippers might want to go with a good shooting guard, if he’s available at that time of the draft.
Projections indicate that by the 25th pick, 20-year-old Shane Larkin of Miami would be still be on the board. If he is, the Clippers could fill a huge need at the guard spot.
Larkins brings some impressive numbers to the board at 6-feet, 171 pounds. He averaged 36.4 minutes, 14.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He also shot 47.9 percent from the floor, 40.6 percent in threes and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Larkins started drawing attention late in his season. Scouts list his strengths as having good quickness, being an excellent shooter and a good defender who can get the steals and be very aggressive.
His jump shot seems to be effective enough to make him a good catch in the NBA. He seems to have good qualities as a point guard. A major concern is his lack of size and length.
But most observers figure Larkin will go mid to late in the first round. He would seem to be a good bet right now for the Clippers if they’re looking at more talent at the guard position.
