Donovan Clingan’s rookie campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers left many watchers with questions about his long-term impact on the NBA. Despite his size and skill, doubts were consistent about his ability to play starting-level minutes and contribute on the offensive end of the ball.
Fortunately, he addressed those two concerns pretty early on in his sophomore season. The 22-year-old is currently considered an above-average starting center. With four games left in the Trail Blazers season, he leads the league in offensive rebounds at 4.5 a game. He’s third in total rebounds with 11.6 a contest and fifth in blocks with 1.7 a game.
The two-time UConn champion was taken by the Blazers with the seventh pick in 2024, a draft class considered by many as one of the more modest in recent memory. The Rookie of the Year chosen from that class was Clingan’s UConn teammate and current San Antonio Spurs guard-wing Stephon Castle.
Castle was the obvious winner after one campaign but others may still end up being the better player when all is said and done. Today, I want to discuss three names who are in line for top honors. Along with Clingan, there’s the aforementioned Castle and Washington Wizards big Alex Sarr.
I dithered over the Miami Heat’s Kel’el Ware, Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls, and Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets, but they’re probably not in the same class.
Deciding on the best player is hardly scientific, especially when there’s no standout candidate. My conclusions have been based on each player’s skillset and importance to their team. Predictions have also been made about any individual prizes they may win.
Age: 22
Pick: 7
Position: Center (7’2 height, 7’7 wingspan)
25-26 stats: 73 games, 27.2 mins, 12.0 points, 32.7% 3pt, 52.0% FG, 11.6 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks
Clingan’s sophomore leap has arguably exceeded most expectations. Central to this growth has been him getting his body right. He’s a man mountain who can now move more freely, able to optimize his imposing size.
He’s an elite rim protector, altering opposing offenses with his large frame and defensive instincts. He’s developed a three-point shot, can pass out of traffic, operate in the pick and roll and, as the stats suggest, he dominates the league in offensive rebounds.
More than all this, that upward trajectory doesn’t look like it’s slowing down any time soon. He looks comfortable and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a competitive beast, unafraid of contact.
Clingan’s one key weakness, exemplified in the Blazers win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, is his struggles against centers who can space the floor like Brook Lopez. It’s something he needs to address if he’s going to round the rest of his game.
If it wasn’t for Victor Wembanyama, Clingan could have been in line for a couple of Defensive Player of the Year awards. He’ll still make All-Defensive teams and depending on team success, could find his way onto an All-Star team or two.
Age: 21
Pick: 4
Position: Guard (6’6 height, 6’9 wingspan)
25-26 stats: 65 games, 29.8 mins, 16.7 points, 33.2% 3PT, 47.2% FG, 5.2 boards, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals
Castle operates on both sides of the ball and guards positions one through three. He stands 6’6 with a 6’9 wingspan, boasting point guard skills, helping him and the Spurs put forward a versatile defensive beast.
With Wembanyama as a teammate, Castle will never be the most important player on his team. He may not be the second and third best with De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper on board but Castle’s two-way versatility makes him a high-level role player, able to adapt to a range of configurations.
The former Rookie of the Year will earn himself an All-Star honor and may also take an All-Defensive Second Team prize, especially if the Spurs go onto win a title or two.
Age: 20
Pick: 2
Position: Center (7’0 height, 7’5 wingspan)
25-26 stats: 48 games, 27.2 mins, 16.3 points, 33.3% 3pt, 48.2% FG, 7.4 boards, 2.7 assists, 2.0 blocks
If you can believe it, both Sarr and Clingan have averaged 27.2 minutes a game this year, helping us with our comparisons. I was keen on Sarr going into the draft and would have been thrilled if the Blazers landed him. With his unique blend of rim protection, defense and three-point shooting, he was a lock to be an above-average big.
While he hasn’t disappointed, Clingan’s size and ability to pull down rebounds gives him the edge on Sarr. Deciding on his importance to the Wizards is still a bit murky, given the rebuilding status of the DC squad. But if Anthony Davis can stay healthy, Washington may boast the league’s most formidable defensive frontline anywhere.
Sarr seems destined for All-Defensive Team status but is slightly less likely than Clingan to make the final day of the All-Star program, if only for the fact that he won’t necessarily put up huge counting stats.
The 2024 NBA Draft wasn’t filled with franchise-changing star-studded talent. But that doesn’t mean one or two stars won’t appear. Five years from now, Clingan could very well be one of those two standouts from the 2024 class. His closest competition with likely be the Spurs’ Stephon Castle and the Wizards’ Alex Sarr.
Clingan and Sarr probably earn a few All-Defensive Team honors, maybe contend for Defensive Player of the Year titles alongside Victor Wembanyama. They might also earn a couple of All-Star trips. I might be biased but the 7’2 Clingan has the size over 7’0 Sarr and has the offensive game and the competitive advantage.
As for the UConn teammates, Clingan has a bigger influence on the success of this Blazers team when comparing Castle on the Spurs. Whether that makes Clingan the better player is also subjective, but as of right now, the center might have the edge over his former college teammate.