Blake to the Clippers

First, I have to say one thing. Blake, I am so sorry. No college basketball player skips their senior year hoping to get the chance to play for the Clippers.

Second, the NBA draft lottery screwed the pooch on this one. After how well the Lebron draft worked out with him landing with his hometown team, leading to a revitalization of a struggling franchise, they should have rigged this one too. Blake should be heading to play with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green in Oklahoma City. How would that be for a nucleus looking forward huh. Well, OKC, I am sorry, but you will have to settle for the third best player. In this case, that could very well mean Hasheem Thabeet. His offensive game is still developing, but he would instantly be a force on the defensive side of the ball, which is something the Thunder have been lacking.

Back to Blake though, let's look at what this will mean for the Clippers, just for fun. Well, let's look at what this would mean if the Clippers were not the Clipper, e.g. dysfunctional.

There is there projected rotation

Starters
Baron Davis PG
Eric Gordon SG
Al Thornton SF
Blake Griffin PF
Marcus Camby C

Bench Contributors
DeAndre Jordan C
Zach Randolph PF/C
Ricky Davis SF/SG
Mardy Collins SG/SF
Fred Jones PG/SG

Now, on paper, this looks like it should be a decent, very athletic team. 4 legitimate scorers with a with a solid defensive front line starting. The Bench includes a young center with tremendous athletic potential, 2 veteran scorers at the forward positions and a couple of decent guards.

Griffin should pair with Camby to give them a great front line with Jordan transitioning into Camby's spot in a few years. With those 2 in place, they will be in a position that they should win the rebounding battle nearly every night out. You combine them with Gordon and Thornton as young stars, and you have one of the best nuclei in the league that should explode on the league over the next few years.

So, the question is, how are the clippers going to screw this up? Oh, that's right.

1. They don't have anyone to distribute the ball.
Answer: Trade/release Baron Davis. He is a great scoring point guard, but they are about to be loaded with scorers. This draft is loaded with point guards, and they might be able to get one in the second round. Be better if they can trade Davis for a young veteran point, but I just don't see why a team would trade a quality point for him considering his contract. They will likely still need his scoring this year since Gordon is still developing, but they need to make a move now so they will be prepared going forward.

2. In a few years, they are going to have to pay these guys.
They should clean out some of the high priced vets this year, trade them to teams who need a boost at the trading deadline for quality role players who they can sign to affordable extensions.
Trust me, after Griffin moves him to the bench, Randolph is going to ask out anyway, take him and trade him for a couple of quality young players who play a little defense and steal you a bucket here and there and they will be better for it. Will also clear up money to keep Gordon, Thornton, and Griffin.

Problem, that shit just ain't gonna happen. Sorry Blake, but look on the bright side, you are going to get paid to play your favorite game. Trying not to bump your head on the backboard again.