Donovan Clingan NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Blazers Roster
June 27, 2024
The Portland Trail Blazers landed one of the best big men in the 2024 NBA draft, selecting UConn center Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick on Wednesday night.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Donovan Clingan
Position: C
Height: 7'2"
Pro Comparison: Jakob Poeltl
Scouting Report: Teams will know what they're getting in Clingan with his 7'2", 280-pound frame for finishing, rim protection, putbacks and limiting opponents' second-chance points. Though he'll require his lineup to have forwards who can handle or shoot, he can instantly make a lineup more physical and tougher to score on.
Blazers Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)
Deandre Ayton, C: $34M (2026)
Jerami Grant, PF: $29.8M (2028)
Anfernee Simons, SG: $25.9M (2026)
Malcolm Brogdon, PG: $22.5M (2025)
Robert Williams III, C: $12.4M (2026)
Matisse Thybulle, SG: $11M (2026)
Scoot Henderson, PG: $10.3M (2027)
Shaedon Sharpe, SG: $6.6M (2026)
Kris Murray, PF: $3M (2027)
Duop Reath, C: $2M (2026)
Jabari Walker, SF: $2M (2025)
Toumani Camara, PF: $1.9M (2027)
Rayan Rupert, SG: $1.9M (2026)
Moses Brown, C: UFA
Dalano Banton, PG: Club option
Ashton Hagans, PG: RFA
Justin Minaya, F: RFA
Ibou Badji, C: RFA
Clingan had a breakout sophomore season with the Huskies, becoming a force on both ends of the floor as he helped lead the team to a second straight national championship. Some experts even projected him to be under consideration for the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, so Portland is getting a promising talent.
In 35 games with 33 starts in 2023-24, Clingan improved his scoring average from 6.9 points to 13.0 points while also adding 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 blocks. He was an efficient finisher, shooting 64.5 percent from the field over his two years at UConn.
Clingan will immediately have a role as a rim protector in the NBA. His defensive prowess will allow him to see consistent minutes as a rookie. While his offense may be limited to finishing lobs and putbacks off offensive rebounds, he showed improvements in his range during the pre-draft process, so he could eventually stretch the floor as he continues his development.
The Blazers needed a defensive improvement after finishing with a 21-61 record this past season. Clingan will provide the team with an anchor in the middle for the foreseeable future. He will be a solid addition playing behind Deandre Ayton during his rookie campaign as the Blazers try to work their way out of the Western Conference cellar in 2024-25.
