The Los Angeles Clippers traded for the 56th overall pick, which turned out to be Branden Dawson of Michigan State. The Power Forward is an athletic big who can run the floor and jump, similar to the starting big-men of the Clippers. Dawson has been too impressive in Summer League action to pass up on. According to the Los Angeles Clippers Press Release, they have officially signed Brendan Dawson:
The L.A. Clippers announced today the team has signed forward Branden Dawson. The Clippers acquired the rights to the 56th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft in a draft night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Dawson, 22, appeared in four of the Clippers games at the recently completed Orlando Summer League and averaged 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in 25.5 minutes. Dawson finished second in the league in rebounds per game and recorded a double-double in three of his four appearances.
Dawson will actually be an upgrade for the Clippers who lack some bench depth. Could Dawson work his way into getting Glen Davis’ minutes? Dawson would bring in energy off the bench and hustle that the Clippers don’t seem to have. With Dawson, the Clippers have Rivers, Crawford, and Dawson to look forward to off the bench, which means they have some fire power. The Clippers have one of the top rosters in the NBA on paper, now they have to translate that into an NBA championship. One thing I don’t understand, is how Michigan State big men slip so hard on draft night? Anybody remember Draymond Green? Zach Randolph? How? How? I don’t get it.
