In the 2023 NBA draft, there were countless 'diamond in the rough' second-round picks selected by teams at the top of the league. The Boston Celtics snagged Jordan Walsh, and the Golden State Warriors added Trayce Jackson-Davis, yet well before either of those picks, the LA Clippers selected Kobe Brown from Missouri, whose fourth-year team option was just declined.
With a pre-draft profile that included his height (6'7"), weight (252 pounds), and NBA comparison, Draymond Green, the Clippers had their sights set on his long-term future in LA. They also had plans to use two-way veterans like Kawhi Leonard to develop him, after what the Missouri basketball program did for four consecutive years.