The Clippers are in an unusual position for the franchise heading into tonight's draft, holding only a single late-second-round pick. Accustomed to picking in the lottery, the Clips will pick 53rd overall tonight, having sent their own first-round pick to Boston and the Timberwolves' first-rounder to New Orleans. As Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes, the Clippers want to ensure they make a habit out of picking outside the lottery going forward. Let's check out a few more Clippers notes from Shelburne's piece….
- Eric Bledsoe is drawing "widespread interest" around the league, but the Clippers are reluctant to move the young point guard. Shelburne hears from a source that an offer would "have to knock the Clippers socks off" for them to part with Bledsoe.
- Extension talks between the team and Blake Griffin are going smoothly, and neither side expects any problems getting a five-year deal done early in free agency.
- While the Clippers would love to move into the first round tonight, the most likely scenario has them staying at No. 53 at selecting the best player available.
- The Clips' interest in Lamar Odom remains "strong," according to Shelburne. Unless the Mavericks are able to push back their decision deadline on Odom, they'll have until Friday to try to work out a trade.
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