The Portland Trail Blazers are at a pivotal juncture in their rebuild, having just drafted Donovan Clingan with the 7th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Clingan is not just another big man; he brings a unique blend of size and skill that stands out among Portland’s roster. While he’s not expected to be a game-wrecking offensive force and Swiss army knife on defense, he does possess skills that could translate to him being highly effective in today’s NBA.
The Big Man’s Impact
First, let’s address Clingan’s defense. He is a massive presence but isn’t just clogging up the paint. He is a maestro of defensive positioning and buying into a team scheme. He makes a great effort to contest shots inside and outside of the paint. This is evident at both the college level, where he averaged 2.5 blocks per game at UCONN, and so far as a professional, with a Summer League record of 4.3 blocks per game. Clingan’s ability to block and contest shots established him as a monster down-low, coupled with his propensity to grab rebounds at 12.3 per game (he also led the Summer league). These two traits alone position him as the Trail Blazers’ defensive cornerstone moving forward.
Offensively, Clingan’s game is all about efficiently scoring in the low post. He’s got an arsenal of reliable jump hooks, drop steps, and power finishes that highlight his impressive size and touch around the rim. But where I believe Clingan could distinguish himself is as a lob threat. Think of how Derrick Lively displayed his value on the biggest stage as his contributions helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA finals berth. In the right circumstances, I could see Clingan having a similar offensive impact on the game.
Roster Implications
So, what does Clingan’s arrival mean for the Trail Blazers’ future? For starters, it likely spells the end of the road for one of their other big men. With Clingan, Williams, and Ayton all vying for minutes, it’s unlikely that the Blazers will retain all of them going into this upcoming season. Given that Clingan is the fresh draft pick and the promise that Ayton showed last season, it’s likely that we’ll see “Time Lord” on his way out.
But it’s not just about the bigs. Clingan’s fit alongside the franchise cornerstones Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe is crucial. While they both have flashed exciting offensive talent, their ability or effort on the defensive side of the court has been less than inspiring. This could lead to a lot of pressure on Clingan in his rookie year to sure up the core of the defense, which could end up being a larger responsibility than he’s able to handle at this time.
Patience and Potential
Despite these challenges, there is a clear path forward where Scoot and Shaedon both take significant leaps on both sides of the court. This would bode nicely for the franchise and for Clingan coming in as a third piece of this young core. But until both Shaedon and Scoot make that jump, the key virtue to keep in mind is patience. After nearly a decade of consistently competing in and for the playoffs, the Blazers might not be regulars in the postseason for the foreseeable future, and the organization and fans have to be okay with that.
Portland needs to remain flexible, ready to capitalize on opportunities as they arise while allowing its young core to reach its full potential. This means not panicking and sticking to its long-term plan. The pieces are there, and with the right moves and a bit of patience, the Blazers will have set themselves up nicely for the future.
