213hoops.com
Clippers 2025 Mock Draft Roundup: One Day Pre-Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft is tomorrow night, so here’s a last roundup of some big mock drafts and who they have the Clippers selecting at 30 and 51 in the draft.
ESPN: Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo (Updated June 23)
Clippers Pick 30: Noah Penda (SF/PF, Le Mans) – same as last update
Clippers Pick 51: Eric Dixon (PF, Villanova)
Bleacher Report: Jonathan Wasserman (Updated June 23)
Clippers Pick 30: Chaz Lanier (SG, Tennessee)
Explanation: “Chaz Lanier finished second at the NBA Combine in aggregate shooting, unsurprising based on his 229 made threes over the past two seasons. NBA teams that could use more offensive firepower will look past age and lack of versatility for such advanced shotmaking.”
Clippers Pick 51: Mark Sears (PG, Alabama) – same as last update
The Athletic: Sam Vecenie (Updated June 23)
Clippers Pick 30: Rasheer Fleming (PF, St. Joe’s)
Explanation: “Fleming very much looks the part at 6-8 with a 7-5 wingspan. He’s also got great leaping ability and a chiseled frame that allows him to play with force and strength on both ends. He averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game and drilled 39 percent from 3. The idea here is a 3-and-D forward who can potentially be switchable across the positional spectrum while also drilling 3s. But he doesn’t process things happening around him on the court quickly. Still, any team that values the frame and shooting potential will be interested in Fleming. The Clippers need more frontcourt depth and could see Fleming as an interesting answer as a small-ball five.”
Clippers Pick 51: Ryan Nembhard (PG, Alabama)
The Ringer: Kyle J Mann & Danny Chau (Updated June 24)
Clippers Pick 30: Kam Jones (G, Marquette)
Explanation: “The buzz around Jones subsided a bit during his senior year as his percentages from 3 dipped. But 10 seconds of research would reveal that his burden was significantly higher than in previous years, when he was wheeling and dealing next to (now New York Knick) Tyler Kolek. Without the All-American by his side last season, Jones was depended on to water the plants of Marquette’s offense while still scoring himself, and that proved to be a tougher task than working alongside another big-time creator. It’s highly unlikely that Jones will have to overextend himself like that ever again; he should instead be called on to hit open shots and keep the ball moving on offense. I expect his experience to shrink the gap between where he is and what the Clippers might ask of him in the near future.”
Clippers Pick 51: N/A
SB Nation: Ricky O’Donnell (Updated June 23)
Clippers Pick 30: Drake Powell (SF, North Carolina)
Clippers Pick 51: N/A
Yahoo: Kevin O’Connor (Updated June 23)
Clippers Pick 30: Rasheer Fleming (PF, St. Joe’s)
Explanation: “Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role player skill set will translate. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden handling the rock in Los Angeles, Fleming’s positive qualities could allow him to slot in right away.”
Clippers Pick 51: Johni Broome (C, Auburn)
Summary
This mock draft update brings some interesting elements to the table. Every single mock draft here (June 24 Noon Update: this is no longer true with the Ringer’s latest update) has the Clippers taking a wing of some kind (from the SG-type Lanier to the big power forward Fleming) at 30. That might not say as much about the Clippers’ thought process as it does the type of prospects who are going to be available at 30 and who the relative best prospects will likely be on the board. Still, it’s an interesting trend that really might have some meaning as to who the Clippers draft at 30.
The other note is that for the first time, multiple mock drafts are in alignment, with Fleming being chosen by two mocks as the Clippers pick (with O’Donnell choosing Powell, who had been Vecenie’s pick previously). Again, does that mean there’s real intel there? Or just that Fleming would be one of the better prospects available at 30 and fits a need on the Clippers’ roster as a big forward who can play small-ball center. Either way, I’d be quite happy with a Fleming pick at 30.
Four of the mocks had the Clippers’ pick at 51, and there was no overlap there. However, it is again interesting that two of the mocks had the Clippers taking point guards, and the other two had the Clippers drafting big men (Dixon is a power forward but probably more of a small-ball center in the NBA). Thus, the Clippers drafting a wing/forward of some kind at 30 and then a guard or big man at 51 seems to be the thought process, at least of plugged in draft experts.
Clippers 2025 Mock Draft Roundup: One Day Pre-Draft
Robert Flom