Jason Burgos
A new report suggests either the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Clippers could take a risk with their top 10 pick in June and go after a star from national champions Michigan. But it’s not Yaxel Lendeborg.
Over the weekend, both the Kings and Clippers found out where they will be picking in next month’s NBA Draft. The results were very different for the pair of California teams. Despite having a strong chance of landing a top-four pick, Sacramento ended up at seventh overall. LA had a stroke of rare luck and won the fifth overall pick.
The Clippers ended up in such an enviable spot despite being a playoff contender this spring because of the bold trade they made that sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a top-four protected pick. When Indy ended up at the fifth overall selection, the pick went to LA.
In the days since, various draft speculation has linked the Kings and Clippers to star prospects like Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemmings, and Keaton Wagler. However, according to CBS Sports draft expert Adam Finkelstein, the two teams could go in a surprising direction with their picks at five and seven, respectively.
Clippers or Kings will use No. 1 pick on 7-foot-3 Michigan center Aday Mara?
Finkelstein claims that after looking impressive at the NBA Draft combines this week, Michigan big man Aday Mara is quickly moving up draft boards, and the Clippers and Kings have the most obvious need for a center that has the “incredible size, rim protection, deceptive mobility, passing, and touch” the Spaniard has.
“It remains to be seen if either would pull the trigger at 5 or 7, but it is no longer viewed as impossible, particularly in that latter scenario,” Finklestein mentioned about the player originally projected to go much later in Round 1.
If a Michigan star were to go higher in the event, most basketball fans would assume it would be top star Yaxel Lendeborg. The senior was first or second for the national champions in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
But Mara is a beast at 7-foot-3 and 259 pounds. He has a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-foot-9. Mara is a shot-blocking specialist who led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks this past season.
