NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Los Angeles Clippers to select at No. 48

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: Montrezl Harrell #5 high-fives Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 24, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Tremont Waters – LSU

2018-19 stats: 15.3 ppg 2.8 rpg 5.8 apg

The sophomore campaign didn’t start out well for Tremont Waters, trying to do more offensively than he probably should have. But after a brief spell on the bench, he came on strong in SEC play, including a career-high 36 points on six made three-pointers at Texas A&M.

He also gets credit in the intangible department in the final part of last season, holding the team together after losing a key player and head coach Will Wade due to NCAA Investigations. The Tigers still managed to make the Sweet 16, with Waters leading the way.

At 5’11 and 180 pounds with limited measurables, Waters is a projected late-2nd round pick but is still one of the better ball handlers in the draft. His overall shooting could use some work but he’s a very good defender to make up for that. He had eight steals in a game and got at least five on five different occasions.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking like a budding star, the Clippers don’t need a starting point guard. But what Waters would provide is insurance in case Patrick Beverly leaves in free agency. The now former LSU point guard would make for a solid backup facilitator that coach Doc Rivers could work with.

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