MSU's Dawson drafted in 2nd round, traded to Clippers

Branden Dawson had to wait until Thursday turned to Friday and switch teams in a matter of seconds, but he got that lifelong dream -- he heard his name called on NBA draft night.

The 6-foot-6 Dawson, a four-year standout at Michigan State, went No. 56 overall in the second round to the New Orleans Pelicans, then was quickly traded to the L.A. Clippers for cash considerations -- the Orange County Register reported the cost was about $600,000. L.A. is one of 11 teams Dawson worked out for before the draft.

"I can't wait to get with coach (Doc) Rivers and get started, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to help them win," Dawson said of the Clippers in a phone interview moments after he was chosen and moved. "I'm gonna be relentless. This is my livelihood now."

Dawson gives MSU at least one draft pick in consecutive years and in three of the past four years. Gary Harris (Denver) and Adreian Payne (Atlanta) went in the first round last year and Draymond Green went in the second round in 2012.

"I'm really excited for Branden," MSU coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. "He'll have the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in the NBA, and being the Clippers' only draft pick is certainly a plus. Branden had a very good career at Michigan State. He overcame three major injuries, graduated, won Big Ten titles and played in a Final Four. He kept working and improving, and tonight his dream of reaching the NBA came true."

Green just helped Golden State to the NBA title as one of the top defensive players in the league, and defense is Dawson's ticket to sticking in the league as well.

"That's what I love to do," said Dawson, a member of the Big Ten All-Defensive Team as a senior.

"The biggest thing is his toughness," Clippers general manager Dave Wohl told NBA.com of Dawson after making the move. "He's a winner. He's not a guy you just lock into a position. I think he can play a couple different positions. He can defend a number of positions.

"When you watch him play a lot, one of the things he does, he makes multiple-effort game-defining plays a lot of times. He'll get his hand on a loose ball, he'll save a loose ball, he'll dive on a loose ball, he'll go over bigger players and grab a rebound. He's a little raw offensively, but we love the competitiveness and toughness about him."

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said on the broadcast after Dawson was chosen: "Branden Dawson is a big-time athlete, a great offensive rebounder, very good in transition. He has tried to improve his offensive game and he has improved his offensive game, but he's going to have to come in as more of an energy guy. He can rebound, defend and run the floor."

Dawson averaged 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior, earning All-Big Ten second team honors and helping lead the Spartans on a surprise Final Four run. He was the first player 6-foot-6 or shorter to lead the Big Ten in rebounding since 1991.

Dawson's MSU teammate and close friend Travis Trice was not chosen in the two-round draft. Trice will now try to find a free-agent opportunity and play for an NBA summer league team to show off his skills.

Contact Joe Rexrode: jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe.