It is an interesting idea when you consider the following two mock drafts have down as those picks:
NBAdraft.net, Collin Sexton (#9) versus Kevin Knox (#10) and Hamidou Diallo (#18) or Miles Bridges (#12) and Robert Williams (#14)
I doubt we would draft Collin Sexton because he is not a clear upgrade over the trio of young point guards we have on our roster. With that said, he is a very athletic player and has elite speed, has good defensive potential, and despite being an underwhelming shooter he does have an array of skills to be able to score. I have seen him compared to Eric Bledsoe and De'Aaron Fox, which is not exactly a bad thing!
If someone says to me that I can trade back one pick and land Kevin Knox or Mikal Bridges, while picking up another first round pick to land a player like Hamidou Diallo, then I would snap the 76ers GMs' hand off and not hesitant when taking that phone call. Even if they were trading up to select Kevin Knox or Mikal Bridges, I would still happily take that deal because I would still be adding someone I like plus another talent later in the draft. So personally if the draft board falls in this manner and the 76ers pick up the phone and offer us the trade, I would take it. Granted I would take Mikal Bridges over Kevin Knox, and I might be tempted to gamble on Mitchell Robinson (his upside intrigues me) but I'd be happy enough with Diallo.
As for the other deal, it is not as appealing as the first option but I would at least consider it. Miles Bridges is a decent talent, not a great one, but he could develop into a glue guy. Those players have value in this league and if he develops a consistent outside shot and commits to defense to go alongside his athleticism and ability to attack the basket, he has intriguing upside. As for the other pick, Robert Williams is another decent talent. What Williams lacks in height he makes up for in length and athleticism. What he lacks on the offensive end he makes up for on the defensive end. He could fit next to KP in the starting line up because he brings defense to the table, can block shots, and is a decent enough rebounder. It would be a nice duo to add to the team.
For me, I would be tempted to trade down unless someone from the top half dozen or so picks fell to us at 9 or I felt strongly that Mikal Bridges or Kevin Knox needs to come to New York because they can become special and be a long term running mate for KP.
NBAdraftroom.com, Trae Young (#9) versus Lonnie Walker (#10) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (#18) or Daniel Gafford (#12) and Zhaire Smith (#14)
In this mock draft Ayton, Porter, Bagley, Jackson, Doncic, Bamba, Mikal and Carter are the players selected before we are on the clock.
Let me start by saying that if Trae Young falls to 9, then I would be jumping for joy because he has the ability and potential to be a really good player at the next level. This kid can shoot, score, and pass the ball to a high level. Okay his defense is not that good and he lacks ideal size, but guess what, we have Frank to pair with him in the back court to make up for those shortcomings. I would love to see a Trae Young and Frank Ntilikina back court in New York long term.
Despite the ideal scenario, let's consider the first deal. I don't like this mock drafts picks at #10 and #18. I would rather draft Kevin Knox (he goes 11) and Robert Williams (he goes 22).
The other scenario I don't particularly like either. I would rather pick Miles Bridges (he goes 12) and Collin Sexton (he goes 15).
For me, I would not be tempted to trade down in this scenario because one of the top half dozen or so talents has fallen to us with our original pick.
So what would I do, keep the pick or trade down?
Ultimately the answer to this question comes down to how the chips falls on draft night. If someone falls, I would keep the pick. However, if no one falls I would be more tempted by the 76ers picks than the Clippers picks, but it would still depend on who is available. If Knox and Mikal are there at 9, I would be tempted to trade back because I would still get someone I like. However, if only one of them still on the board at 9, I would retain the pick and take them. And that's without considering the possibility of trading back before the action starts, if these deals are only on the table before the draft starts then I would be hesitant at trading back.