Los Angeles Clippers 2025 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Lendeborg is another player with a decision to make. The UAB star committed to Michigan out of the transfer portal, but he might never play a game for coach Dusty May because of the way he's turning heads at the combine. Lendeborg was the top-ranked player in the transfer portal rankings by 247Sports.

Coward is another player teams are monitoring after opting to test the predraft process. He had an outstanding showing at the combine on Tuesday, converting 17-of-25 in the 3-point star drill and 14-of-23 from the corner. He also measured in with a 7-foot, 2 1/4-inch wingspan, enabling him to play the passing lanes and defend multiple positions. He seems like an early entry prospect who could opt to stay in the draft with a good showing in workouts and interviews. If he opts to withdraw, he will transfer to Duke next season.

The Clippers could use another backup center option given that Ben Simmons is currently playing the role for them in the playoffs and is a free agent this summer. Kalkbrenner is massive at 7-1 and is an expert in drop coverage with his angles and length. His presence would allow the Clippers to experience less of a dropoff when Ivica Zubac, one of the best centers in the NBA this season, leaves the court. Kalkbrenner averaged 19 points and nine rebounds this year and has consistently been one of the best defensive players in the country over the last four years, winning the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year award in each season.

Pro Comparison: Manu Ginobili

In the mid-to-late first round, Ben Saraf should start to earn consideration from teams interested in adding more creation and playmaking.

The numbers and eye test show a guard with an advanced handle and passing feel in ball-screen situations. Teams will debate his shooting and defensive projection, but he's been effective pulling up in the mid-range, and his competitiveness has looked like a plus.

Teams will be hoping to see him at the NBA combine, where they'll learn official measurements and analyze his shot.

Scouting report: Thiero was injured at the end of the Razorbacks' regular season and is one of the more interesting wild-card projects in this class, as an exceptional athlete who can make acrobatic plays defensively but who is otherwise raw in the skill and feel department.

The fact he plays extremely hard covers up for some of his shortcomings, and at this stage of the draft, he becomes an intriguing development pick if a team can help shore up his perimeter shooting. If Thiero can make enough shots to stay on the floor, he could be an above-average defender and useful role player long term. -- Woo

NBA intel and fit: The Clippers remain in win-now mode with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and even after a third straight first-round exit, LA will be focused on maximizing this window. Whether that's taking an upside swing on a player such as Thiero or targeting a more polished option, there should be value in adding an inexpensive young player to the Clippers' bench. -- Woo

Jones stepped out from the shadows of Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro as his former Marquette teammates went off to the NBA, and proved he could be more than just a microwave scorer. Jones took over as the Golden Eagles' engine, and made a massive leap as a facilitator, going from a 16 percent assist rate in 2024 to a 38.2 percent assist rate (that ranked No. 12 nationally) in 2025. Despite so many more touches, Jones' turnover rate barely went up, showing that he knows how to make good decisions with the ball. His three-point accuracy dropped off with the bigger workload (from 40.6 percent to 31.1 percent), but scouts will hope his sample from previous seasons is a better indication of what he can do in a role similar to the one he'll have in the NBA.

There's a cluster of smooth-moving, switchy big forwards in this draft (Izan Almansa, Asa Newell, Joan Beringer) who are all hovering in the same space, basically in a race to determine whose offensive flashes are worth betting on. Essengue was highly productive for an 18-year-old, but for all of his intriguing physical traits, it'd be nice to feel some confidence that he might shoot the ball. Otherwise, how to use him in efficient lineups remains tricky.

Beringer has blossomed into a legitimate first-round talent playing for Cedevita this season and has come on strong of late with three double-digit scoring outings in his last four games. He's a fluid mover for his size with natural instincts as a center.

Assuming Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are both back in Los Angeles, the front office will need to look for upgrades around the edges. Ben Simmons did a solid job as a backup center, but his scoring allergy was a severe limitation. This is why Fleming would have such significant appeal since he drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. Even though he has some real warts as a ball-handler, the Clippers need his other positive qualities much more off the bench.

James Harden can't be the only source of playmaking for the Clippers. They need someone that can allow him to operate off-ball, if he's willing. Nembhard is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year. With his small stature, he has natural limitations that put a cap on his upside. But perhaps a stout Clippers defense could help mitigate that concern.