The 1988 NBA Draft Lottery
In 1988, Danny Manning and the Kansas Jayhawks became America’s team, winning the national title and helping start the tradition of Larry Brown putting schools on probation. Manning was projected as another great player in a deep draft class who could make an impact immediately.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Clippers were struggling mightily. With poor management and players who could have lost to the Washington Generals, the Clippers desperately needed a star to kickstart their franchise.
Enter Danny Manning, who David Stern gave to the Clippers to fix their franchise and help the league make money from a team situated in the secondbiggest media market in the country. This action screwed the Phoenix Suns, who fell from 5 to 7 in the process, drafting Tim Perry, a wiry power forward that the Suns shipped to Philadelphia in the Charles Barkley trade, so the Round Mound of Rebound could wear #34.