The Clippers Acquired Mike Taylor’s Draft Rights
Los Angeles acquired the rights to Mike Taylor from Portland on June 26, 2008. The outgoing asset was a 2009 second-round pick, which became No. 33 Dante Cunningham. The teams therefore exchanged one immediate young-player rights position for a later selection rather than swapping two active veterans. The future 2009 draft outcome can be traced specifically to Cunningham, a more precise description than simply calling Portland's incoming piece an unnamed second-rounder.
Taylor Had a Short NBA Window With the Clippers
Taylor's rights gave the Clippers the opportunity to bring in an athletic guard for their developing backcourt. He reached the NBA and appeared for Los Angeles, so the initial acquired asset did become a real player rather than an unused contract. His role didn't last long enough to change the franchise's long-term direction, which limits the completed value of that choice. The Clippers' C- grade reflects the short contribution rather than erasing it.
Portland Held the Higher-Value Future Selection
The 2009 second-round choice conveyed as No. 33 and was used on Dante Cunningham, an identifiable NBA-caliber forward. The Blazers' return therefore had a concrete player outcome from the draft obligation rather than an unrealized pick. Portland needn't be credited with Cunningham's entire later career on other teams to receive credit for the greater draft asset. The comparison of Taylor's brief Clippers stint with Cunningham's converted selection favors Portland.
Final Verdict
Blazers Win. Portland earns C+ for the 2009 No. 33 choice that became Dante Cunningham. Los Angeles gets C- for Mike Taylor's rights and his limited Clippers career. A useful second-round draft outcome outweighed the shorter basketball return on the rights acquired by the Clippers.