Two Things To Watch This NBA Summer

By MH
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Updated: June 14, 2016

As the NBA season could possibly end tonight I wanted to give the basketball junkies a few things to look forward after a champion is crowned. Yes, the season ended earlier than Clippers fans could have hoped. Yes, the Lakers were historically awful but there are some things for both teams to look forward to.

#2 Summer League

The NBA summer league for the Lakers and Clippers over the last few years has been to be nice pointless. Last summer was fun for the Laker fans to see D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt, as well as to see how Julius Randle looked coming back from injury. This summer you can expect the Lakers to add another top prospect, most likely Brandon Ingram to the mix and that in itself is worth making the trip to Vegas to see.

For the Clippers they own the 26th pick in the draft. Usually one would say, “Doc Rivers doesn’t like rookies.” Or “the 26th pick won’t make the rotation.” Both the statements do have some truth in it but reports have surfaced that the Clippers are looking to move up the draft. How far up can they get with limited tradable assets, that I’m not sure. But, if the Clippers move up into the top 20 or even top 15 you have to think that that player is part of Doc’s vision. And for that rookie the summer league will be huge.

#1 NBA Draft

We touched on it a little with the summer league point but the Lakers are going to get a really good player with the second pick in the draft. Ingram, Ben Simmons, and even Jamal Murray are all solid prospects that could help this rebuilding team. Last year fans didn’t know if the Lakers were going to go with Russell or Jahlil Okafor. This year fans are waiting to see who goes number one. That in itself makes the draft exciting and worth watching. The Lakers also hold a top pick in the second round thanks to their winning ways. Remember Los Angeles was able to trade for Clarkson who was a second round pick and there will be some solid players available for them there as well.

For the Clippers we discussed how they might trade up let’s rephrase that, how they may have to trade up. There’s a big question at the point guard position. Chris Paul is one of the best in the business but behind him Austin Rivers has opted it out of his contract. Rivers at his age may be looking for a big contract or an increased role both things the Clippers can’t provide. Pablo Prigioni at his advanced age really can’t be relied about for heavy minutes. The Clippers may need to draft a backup point guard and that’s where their selection becomes interesting. Do they pick a guard because they feel they are going to lose Rivers, or do they pick another position with confidence that Rivers will be coming back? Very viable questions that won’t be answered until draft day.

How do you feel about the summer league and the draft for the Clippers and Lakers? Comment below or tweet us!

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