In the end, the Clippers took the safe route Thursday in the NBA draft. Facing the strong possibility of losing center Michael Olowokandi to free agency next month, they selected Chris Kaman from Central Michigan with the sixth overall pick.
They also took Sofoklis Schortsanitis, a raw and untested 18-year-old forward/center from Greece, with the 34th pick. Called "Baby Shaq" because of his 6-foot-8 3/4, 285-pound frame, Schortsanitis will play another season in Europe before the Clippers decide whether to bring him to Los Angeles.
Kaman was their prized pick Thursday, a player who could help them fill a large void in the middle next season.
"He's by far the best low-post center in this draft," General Manager Elgin Baylor said of the 6-11 1/2 Kaman, who averaged 22.4 points on 62.2% shooting and was the Mid-American Conference player of the year as a junior last season.
Or as Barry Hecker, the team's director of player personnel, said, "Centers are hard to find. It's a very difficult position. In this draft, he's the only center if you stop and think about it. That's the man right there -- Chris Kaman."
And if the unthinkable should happen and Olowokandi re-signs with the Clippers -- rather than secure a fat new deal with the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat or, more likely, the San Antonio Spurs?
"It puts us in good shape, having two 7-foot centers," Baylor said. "One gets hurt or one gets in foul trouble, we're in great shape.... He's a player we liked. He's a player everybody liked. We have duplicates and even triplicates at other positions. We didn't have that at the center position."
Baylor also said he did not take Kaman because he expects Olowokandi to sign elsewhere when he's eligible to do so July 16.
"That had nothing to do with it," he said. "[Kaman] has the potential to be a good center in the league. It might not happen right away. It might take a little time. But when you get the opportunity to get a 7-footer with talent and skills, you have to go for it.... We had three or four people in mind that we really liked. I don't know who's going to start because it's not up to me. I try to get the best players I can bring in."
Which led to the obvious question: Who will coach the Clippers next season?
Baylor would not offer an update on the team's coaching search.
Despite Baylor's comments to the contrary, finding a replacement for Olowokandi was believed to be a top priority Thursday.
