The upcoming NBA draft is expected to be one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory, with no clear consensus for the top pick. Players such as Zaccharie Richasher and Alexandre Sarr have generally been seen as the favorites to be selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks but another prospect threatens to shake up the draft board.
Connecticut center Donovan Clingan recently won a National Championship while serving as their defensive anchor; now he could be in play for the number one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. If that is the case, then Clingan would be a fascinating choice at number one.
Donovan Clingan is firmly in play to be drafted in the top three — Hawks, Wizards or Rockets — per @wojespn (https://t.co/yVi24sFflQ).
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 17, 2024
Clingan impressed teams at the NBA Draft Combine during meetings and testing. pic.twitter.com/1u4Rv1XyD3
After all, there are few players like him in the NBA, a 7'2 center whose primary function is as a defensive anchor. There are defensive big men, sure but many are role players who backup more well-rounded centers and none of them have gone in the top-10 of the draft, let alone first overall.
Is Donovan Clingan worth being selected first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Clingan has even been compared to four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and if he has a similar impact, then he would be worth a high-lottery pick. There are a few teams that could use him, including the Atlanta Hawks apparently, though his fit is a concern for some teams.
Not having a starting center who can stretch the floor isn't the end of the world, even in the modern NBA, though there would probably need to be four other shooters. Still, having a rim protector of Clingan's caliber could raise a team's defensive ceiling and while offense has become more important nowadays, being able to get stops will always be crucial to winning games.
Overall, Clingan may not be the typical top pick but for some teams, he could be an impactful player that helps drive winning. With a lot of question marks surrounding this draft, whoever selects him may value a sure thing like Clingan.