Kawhi signs 3y/$152.4M contract extension, fully guaranteed, no player option

[og15]

When MPJr fell, I was hoping we would take him. We could have let him sit for a year. Before MPJr fell our way, I was for Troy Brown Jr whom I thought would be able to develop defensively.

Never believed in Robinson. Most mocks had him late in the 1st. What was worse was when they tried to play him to justify making the pick.

I wasn't even all that high on MPJ because of his matador defense and injuries, but I was still seething when I heard Jerome's name called. That was the classic Clippers draft pick that you just knew from the moment it was made that it'd be a catastrophe, and it was.

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

[esqtvd]

When MPJr fell, I was hoping we would take him. We could have let him sit for a year. Before MPJr fell our way, I was for Troy Brown Jr whom I thought would be able to develop defensively.

Never believed in Robinson. Most mocks had him late in the 1st. What was worse was when they tried to play him to justify making the pick.

I wasn't even all that high on MPJ because of his matador defense and injuries, but I was still seething when I heard Jerome's name called. That was the classic Clippers draft pick that you just knew from the moment it was made that it'd be a catastrophe, and it was.

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

[wco81]

I wasn't even all that high on MPJ because of his matador defense and injuries, but I was still seething when I heard Jerome's name called. That was the classic Clippers draft pick that you just knew from the moment it was made that it'd be a catastrophe, and it was.

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

DDV is a pretty good rotation player the last two seasons. He's starting now because of injuries. He's going to have to perform in the playoffs though because last season he couldn't hit anything in the playoffs for the Warriors.

Grayson Allen is having a huge season as spot up shooter so he should get a nice contract.

MPJ is on a max extension and is a knock-down shooter who's started to take advantage of his length rebounding but not sure if he'd be as effective if he didn't play with Jokic and to a lesser extent Murray.

[esqtvd]

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

DDV is a pretty good rotation player the last two seasons. He's starting now because of injuries. He's going to have to perform in the playoffs though because last season he couldn't hit anything in the playoffs for the Warriors.

Grayson Allen is having a huge season as spot up shooter so he should get a nice contract.

MPJ is on a max extension and is a knock-down shooter who's started to take advantage of his length rebounding but not sure if he'd be as effective if he didn't play with Jokic and to a lesser extent Murray.

Just pointing out that a lot of these guys don't really give you much on their rookie contract before it's time they get PAID. MJP had one excellent year out of 4 on his rookie contract. 1) Missed the first year with his back; 2) 55G, 16 mpg, 9.3 ppg in the second; 3) a great 31 mpg 19/7 in the 3rd; 4) then only 9 games in his 4th. Then he got PAID.

Grayson Allen and DiVincenzo are on their 4th team. Jalen Brunson averaged 12 ppg for Dallas on his 4 year rookie contract, then left as a UFA to the Knicks and got PAID.

Huerter was probably the best value for his rookie contract, a solid but unspectacular 12 ppg for ATL--albeit on starter's minutes. Now making $16M with the Kings, averaging 24 mpg and 10 ppg. A nice player with T-Mann numbers, for more dough. Missing out on him was not a tragedy.

2018 was a very good draft at the top but besides the medically risky MJP, fell off rapidly after Miles Bridges, a nice player who Charlotte selected with OUR #12 pick, plus two SRPs. [We have to assume wrapping up Shai was Jerry West's idea too. Best move of the draft.]

4 relative busts in the first 10 picks, Shai at #11, and only MJP and Brunson were needle movers after him, and they didn't return much on their rookie contracts. And Ayton and Bagley at #1-2 were misses compared to Luka at #3 and Trae Young at #5--who ATL stupidly swapped.

If some people get mad at calling it a crapshoot, it's damn close.

[og15]

I wasn't even all that high on MPJ because of his matador defense and injuries, but I was still seething when I heard Jerome's name called. That was the classic Clippers draft pick that you just knew from the moment it was made that it'd be a catastrophe, and it was.

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

Definitely not talking about them being star or even "good" NBA players, or immediate contributors, simply being rotation quality NBA players.

After Jerome who was actually considered a huge reach then, within the next 10 picks, there was Porter like mentioned, DDV, Huerter, Lonnie Walker, Grayson Allen and even Okogie has shown one NBA skill of defense. Zaire Smith obviously got a significant injury and almost died from an infection, so I can't say much about him ability wise. Even Troy Brown has been a rotation NBA player and shown an NBA skill.

Some of those guys are starters or part time starters through their careers or solid rotation players. That's about all one can ask for. Those guys have all played 6000+ NBA minutes, Jerome has played 1669.

We already know there's no guarantee in the draft outside of the generational type players, but when you really reach, you better reach right.

Of course Michael Porter was the logical pick when the Clippers had two lottery picks and were the exact type of team who could take a chance in him and his injury. Of course we were all flabbergasted when they didn't pick him, so the other guys aren't even that relevant here. Porter would have definitely given the Clippers more flexibility, but what's done is done, no use crying over spilled milk, and similarly don't ignore it being there, acknowledge and continue on.

[esqtvd]

Sadly Jerome was the Jerry West pick, still not sure what he saw in him, but especially at that time, going against Jerry West was not an easy thing to do, but what a disaster pick.

He's still yet to show on adequate NBA level skill. Would have been better off trading the pick!!

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

Definitely not talking about them being star or even "good" NBA players, or immediate contributors, simply being rotation quality NBA players.

After Jerome who was actually considered a huge reach then, within the next 10 picks, there was Porter like mentioned, DDV, Huerter, Lonnie Walker, Grayson Allen and even Okogie has shown one NBA skill of defense. Zaire Smith obviously got a significant injury and almost died from an infection, so I can't say much about him ability wise. Even Troy Brown has been a rotation NBA player and shown an NBA skill.

Some of those guys are starters or part time starters through their careers or solid rotation players. That's about all one can ask for. Those guys have all played 6000+ NBA minutes, Jerome has played 1669.

We already know there's no guarantee in the draft outside of the generational type players, but when you really reach, you better reach right.

Of course Michael Porter was the logical pick when the Clippers had two lottery picks and were the exact type of team who could take a chance in him and his injury. Of course we were all flabbergasted when they didn't pick him, so the other guys aren't even that relevant here. Porter would have definitely given the Clippers more flexibility, but what's done is done, no use crying over spilled milk, and similarly don't ignore it being there, acknowledge and continue on.

True but the major component of the argument is that almost none of them are with their original team--some with their FOURTH team--and did little on their rookie contracts. So by the time they are ready to contribute, they get PAID, usually somewhere else. The drafting team sees little benefit.

Yes, Jerome was a major bust and Porter was worth the risk, although it must be noted that in 2 of his first 4 seasons he only played a total 9 games. And although the Clips also brilliantly spent two SRPs to lock up Shai in that draft, it's like when Utah brilliantly got Gobert with the 27th pick, but also bust Trey Burke at #9 that same year.

[og15]

Disaster, true.

But besides Porter, there wasn't a whole lot there after Jerome was picked. Anfernee Simons is ok, but even the best of the rest of the first round are journeyman-quality [DiVincenzo, Huerter, Grayson Allen]. Bamba at #5 and Knox at #9 are busts, and Marvin Bagley at #2 and Wendell Carter at #6 are journeymen too, and not with the teams that drafted them. [There were a couple hits in the second round like Jalen Brunson, but he took awhile to get going and by the time he did, he got PAID.]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html

Definitely not talking about them being star or even "good" NBA players, or immediate contributors, simply being rotation quality NBA players.

After Jerome who was actually considered a huge reach then, within the next 10 picks, there was Porter like mentioned, DDV, Huerter, Lonnie Walker, Grayson Allen and even Okogie has shown one NBA skill of defense. Zaire Smith obviously got a significant injury and almost died from an infection, so I can't say much about him ability wise. Even Troy Brown has been a rotation NBA player and shown an NBA skill.

Some of those guys are starters or part time starters through their careers or solid rotation players. That's about all one can ask for. Those guys have all played 6000+ NBA minutes, Jerome has played 1669.

We already know there's no guarantee in the draft outside of the generational type players, but when you really reach, you better reach right.

Of course Michael Porter was the logical pick when the Clippers had two lottery picks and were the exact type of team who could take a chance in him and his injury. Of course we were all flabbergasted when they didn't pick him, so the other guys aren't even that relevant here. Porter would have definitely given the Clippers more flexibility, but what's done is done, no use crying over spilled milk, and similarly don't ignore it being there, acknowledge and continue on.

True but the major component of the argument is that almost none of them are with their original team--some with their FOURTH team--and did little on their rookie contracts. So by the time they are ready to contribute, they get PAID, usually somewhere else. The drafting team sees little benefit.

Yes, Jerome was a major bust and Porter was worth the risk, although it must be noted that in 2 of his first 4 seasons he only played a total 9 games. And although the Clips also brilliantly spent two SRPs to lock up Shai in that draft, it's like when Utah brilliantly got Gobert with the 27th pick, but also bust Trey Burke at #9 that same year.

Yea, the value of draft picks and young player isn't simply or only about whether they stay in your team, I think people get too wrapped up in what the draft pick does with who drafts them sometimes. Everything in the NBA is about asset management. How well can you maximize and leverage the assets you have.

A draft pick has a couple of possible values:
-staying talent, guys who become good / good enough and you keep as part of your team for a price that makes sense
-"cheap labor", guys who can give you production during some of the years of their rookie contract beyond the amount they are being paid, and if they leave due to being priced out, you understand
-trade pieces, guys who maintain value to get you back better players or players who better fit your timeline

Then it all becomes about how you manage the assets. For example, Dallas' failure with Brunson who was unrestricted is a nice example of poor asset management.

[esqtvd]

Definitely not talking about them being star or even "good" NBA players, or immediate contributors, simply being rotation quality NBA players.

After Jerome who was actually considered a huge reach then, within the next 10 picks, there was Porter like mentioned, DDV, Huerter, Lonnie Walker, Grayson Allen and even Okogie has shown one NBA skill of defense. Zaire Smith obviously got a significant injury and almost died from an infection, so I can't say much about him ability wise. Even Troy Brown has been a rotation NBA player and shown an NBA skill.

Some of those guys are starters or part time starters through their careers or solid rotation players. That's about all one can ask for. Those guys have all played 6000+ NBA minutes, Jerome has played 1669.

We already know there's no guarantee in the draft outside of the generational type players, but when you really reach, you better reach right.

Of course Michael Porter was the logical pick when the Clippers had two lottery picks and were the exact type of team who could take a chance in him and his injury. Of course we were all flabbergasted when they didn't pick him, so the other guys aren't even that relevant here. Porter would have definitely given the Clippers more flexibility, but what's done is done, no use crying over spilled milk, and similarly don't ignore it being there, acknowledge and continue on.

True but the major component of the argument is that almost none of them are with their original team--some with their FOURTH team--and did little on their rookie contracts. So by the time they are ready to contribute, they get PAID, usually somewhere else. The drafting team sees little benefit.

Yes, Jerome was a major bust and Porter was worth the risk, although it must be noted that in 2 of his first 4 seasons he only played a total 9 games. And although the Clips also brilliantly spent two SRPs to lock up Shai in that draft, it's like when Utah brilliantly got Gobert with the 27th pick, but also bust Trey Burke at #9 that same year.

Yea, the value of draft picks and young player isn't simply or only about whether they stay in your team, I think people get too wrapped up in what the draft pick does with who drafts them sometimes. Everything in the NBA is about asset management. How well can you maximize and leverage the assets you have.

A draft pick has a couple of possible values:
-staying talent, guys who become good / good enough and you keep as part of your team for a price that makes sense
-"cheap labor", guys who can give you production during some of the years of their rookie contract beyond the amount they are being paid, and if they leave due to being priced out, you understand
-trade pieces, guys who maintain value to get you back better players or players who better fit your timeline

Then it all becomes about how you manage the assets. For example, Dallas' failure with Brunson who was unrestricted is a nice example of poor asset management.

This is why Ballmer went even deeper into the hole draftwise to get Harden. The Clippers will continue to be a destination, both for location [LA] and top-drawer facilities/accoutrements and figure to draft no lower than 15 or 20. Guys you get there are likely to be fairly useless on the rookie contracts and find their way to the Clippers as FAs when they finally get good.

That's the thinking, anyway. Ballmer has no intention of a tear-down unless it's forced on him.

[madmaxmedia]

It's interesting to see Jrue Holiday get a 4/$135M contract. Total value is less but spread out over 4 years...obviously health is the big issue with Kawhi but in terms of age/production/contract length I like 3/$152M better for our team.