Clippers to pick first in NBA draft

Clippers president Andy Roeser (Photo: AP)

20-05-2009 09:31

Perennial National Basketball Association also-rans the Los Angeles Clippers will go first in the draft next month after winning the draft lottery.

The Clippers had only the third-best chance to win the top pick, and by doing so they gave themselves a chance to nab the national college player of the year Blake Griffin.

The Memphis Grizzlies earned the second overall draft selection and Oklahoma City will select third.

The Sacramento Kings, who had the best chance to win the lottery after finishing with an NBA-worst 17-65 record, fell to fourth, while woeful Washington will have the number five pick.

The Clippers last had the top overall selection in 1998, going with Michael Olowokandi.

Olowokandi never became an NBA star, but the Clippers have a better shot at securing a franchise leader if they select Griffin, who led the university ranks with 30 double-doubles and 14.4 rebounds per game.

Clippers president Andy Roeser didn't confirm the club will select Griffin, although they are in need of a power forward after Elton Brand left prior to last season as a free agent.

"I think five years from now Blake Griffin will be hitting his stride in the NBA and he will be an impact player wherever he is," Roeser said. "He is an athletic player. He can do all sorts of things and has a ton of talent, and I think any team will be happy to have him."

Minnesota will have the sixth pick followed by Golden State, New York, Toronto, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Charlotte, Indiana and Phoenix when the draft is held on June 25.

The lottery decides which teams have the top three picks, with the rest of the first round going in reverse order of a club's record.