[Bryan88]

Former UCLA star Westbrook works out for Clippers - LA Daily News

Wouldn't it be something if the answer to the Clippers' point guard woes was in their backyard all along?

UCLA point guard Russell Westbrook was one of six players to work out with the Clippers on Tuesday morning. The Clippers have the No. 7 overall pick in the June 26 NBA draft.

Also in attendance were Arizona shooting guard Chase Budinger, LSU forward Anthony Randolph, Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon, Oregon forward Malik Hairston and New Mexico State guard Justin Hawkins.

"He had a great year. He was already proven to be a great defender. Then at the beginning of the year, (Darren) Collison had that injury and he played point guard for them and did pretty well," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said of Westbrook. "He's done pretty well in the workouts he's had and I think he's going to be picked pretty high."

That would be just fine with Westbrook, who grew up just a few minutes down the road in Hawthorne.

"Wow, that would be a dream come true," said Westbrook, who has already worked out for Seattle (which has the No. 4 pick) and New York (No.6). "To grow up in L.A., then play at UCLA, then get to stay here at the next level, that'd be great."

While point guard is the most obvious need, Dunleavy and general manager Elgin Baylor have continually stated that they haven't committed to filling that need through the draft, and that if the player they want isn't available, they'd take the best available player.

Hence the appearance of Randolph at Tuesday's workout. If Brand is back, the Clippers are set at power forward next season. But Randolph, a 6-foot-11 forward from LSU, has great upside and is getting looks from a lot of lottery teams.

"Anthony Randolph is a guy who has a chance to be a special player, based on length and skill level," Dunleavy said. "He's really young, so the question that's being evaluated in the draft is how soon do you think he can help you. Probably the sooner somebody thinks he can help them, the sooner he gets picked."

[Lefty Noob]

Better to make sure Brand sticks around and draft the PG, if you ask me.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Better to make sure Brand sticks around and draft the PG, if you ask me.

I think Westbrook would be a good fit in LA. To me Randolph seems like an incredible athlete who doesn't have great basketball acumen. I personally wouldn't touch Randolph in the top 10.

[Bryan88]

Westbrook apparently wont workout for the Pacers, who pick 11th, because he has a promise to go before then. If you put two and two together, it sounds like possibly the Clippers have made that promise. From rotoworld.com

Point guard Russell Westbrook has been given a promise by a team picking before the Pacers, who have the 11th pick in Thursday's draft, according to Larry Bird.

Bird doesn't know what team made the guarantee to Westbrook, but it's not too surprising that he will be gone before the Pacers have a chance to pick. D.J. Augustin could be there for a team desperate for a point guard.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

Westbrook apparently wont workout for the Pacers, who pick 11th, because he has a promise to go before then. If you put two and two together, it sounds like possibly the Clippers have made that promise. From rotoworld.com

Ah, so this would most likely be the spot, right?

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Ah, so this would most likely be the spot, right?

I think so. There is however a rumor going around right now that the Wolves would select OJ Mayo with the third pick and then trade him to the Clippers for Chris Kaman and the player the Clippers select 7th (possibly Westbrook or Gallinari).