{"id":7837,"date":"2017-06-23T13:14:37","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T17:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=7837"},"modified":"2017-06-23T13:14:37","modified_gmt":"2017-06-23T17:14:37","slug":"los-angeles-clippers-purchase-draft-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/06\/23\/los-angeles-clippers-purchase-draft-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Clippers Purchase Draft Picks Evans, Thornwell"},"content":{"rendered":"

Entering the 2017 NBA Draft Day with no picks, the Los Angeles Clippers were able to purchase draft picks which resulted in solid two-way guards Jawun Evans<\/a> and Sindarius Thornwell<\/a>. Having the Clippers purchase draft picks demonstrates the front office’s motivation for finding fresh talent. These additions will look to immediately upgrade their bench and delight fans.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Clippers Purchase Draft Picks Jawun Evans, Sindarius Thornwell<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Clippers could have had the 23rd and the 56th pick\u00a0in the 2017 NBA Draft. As fate would have it, Toronto and Boston\u00a0acquired the rights to those picks as the result of some questionable past trades. The first-round selection was\u00a0lost as the result of the Clippers\u2019 ill-fated trade <\/a>of\u00a0Jared Dudley<\/a> to the Milwaukee\u00a0Bucks. The second-round selection was a casualty of the trade<\/a> that brought Austin Rivers<\/a> to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

With no draft stock to speak of, and stars Chris Paul<\/a>, Blake Griffin<\/a> and J.J. Redick<\/a> all entering free agency<\/a>, the future is beginning to look dim for the Clippers. The franchise successfully avoided disaster with some\u00a0tactical draft plays Thursday night. This is undoubtedly facilitated by\u00a0newly-minted consultant Jerry West<\/a> and funded by\u00a0billionaire owner Steve Ballmer.<\/p>\n

The Clippers picked up two solid guards, Sindarius Thornwell and Jawun Evans,\u00a0in the second round of the Draft, and appear to be making other strategically sound moves to remain a contending force in the league in 2017-18.<\/p>\n

Jawun Evans<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Clippers have acquired the signing rights for Oklahoma State point guard Jawun Evans from the Philadelphia 76ers. Evans was the 39th<\/span><\/sup> pick in the Draft.<\/p>\n

Evans has the potential to be an excellent backup point guard for Los Angeles. Even sharing a number of positive attributes with Clipper’s star Chris Paul. Evans is explosive on the pick and roll and has a nice mid-range jumper. Attributes that are key for the Clipper’s high octane offense. Although not the best finisher at the rim, Evans knows how to draw contact and is a high-percentage foul shooter (81.8% career).<\/p>\n

Considered a bit undersized, Evan’s measured in at only 6\u20191\u201d. However, his relatively good wingspan of 6\u20195.5\u201d helps make up for the height. Evans is a \u201cscore-first\u201d point guard, but also a hardworking, above-average defender, making him a solid two-way player. In two years at Oklahoma State, Evans averaged 16.6 points on 44.8% shooting, 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.<\/p>\n

The deal for Evans is not yet official. The Clippers must wait until the NBA moratorium is lifted July 6th.<\/p>\n

Sindarius Thornwell<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Clippers purchased the 48th<\/sup> pick, Sindarius Thornwell, from the Milwaukee Bucks. The purchase price was reported to be around $2.5 million.<\/p>\n

\n

Welcome to LA, @Sin_City_803<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/Y8O5HzTCC2<\/a><\/p>\n

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 23, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n