The LA Clippers are heading into the 2025 NBA Draft with the No. 5 overall pick, and according to league sources, they’re not interested in dealing it. Despite a flurry of trade inquiries from teams looking to move up, the Clippers have essentially shut down conversations — and the reasons why are starting to come into focus.
The Board Is Solidifying
For weeks, the top four picks have been all but locked: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson are expected to come off the board first. That leaves the Clippers in a sweet spot at No. 5, with a clear tier of talent waiting for them.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Clippers have narrowed their shortlist to two names: Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler. Brown, a Louisville guard, has reportedly surged ahead of Kingston Flemings, who was previously seen as a strong candidate for LA.
“As reported on Monday, Mikel Brown Jr. has gained serious momentum among the group of backcourt talents as the second-best guard in the class behind Peterson,” Siegel wrote. “Brown is drawing serious interest from both the LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, and as of last week, teams behind these two organizations are beginning to operate under the assumption that the Louisville guard won’t be an option for them in the draft.”
Workouts Turned Heads
Brown’s stock has risen sharply after a series of private workouts. One anonymous front office executive from a top-10 pick team told ClutchPoints: “Watching him in the gym has been incredible. His back problems are a thing of the past, and he looks every bit like the second-best guard in this class behind Darryn (Peterson). As soon as you watch him, you can see the star potential immediately.”
That kind of buzz typically sends teams scrambling to trade up. But the Clippers, sources say, have held firm. No real negotiations have taken place, and rival teams increasingly believe LA has already decided who they want — and won’t be swayed.
Keeping the Pick, Starting Fresh
There had been speculation that the Clippers might package the pick for an established star, especially given their current roster’s championship-or-bust timeline. But the organization appears ready to embrace a new direction, one built around a young backcourt talent like Brown or Wagler.
While Flemings has not been completely ruled out, it’s clear the Clippers’ front office has recalibrated its board. The team has not confirmed any final decision, but the league-wide assumption is that LA will be drafting a guard at No. 5 — and that the pick is staying put.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. By then, the Clippers’ choice may already be obvious to everyone else.
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