The Portland Trail Blazers recently announced that Deandre Ayton will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a left calf strain during Portland's 146-117 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The timing is unfortunate for Ayton, who had been playing the best basketball of his season and was a key factor in the Blazers' unexpected hot stretch.
As expected, the Blazers are cooling off, following their six-game winning streak up with an active two-game losing streak. They'll look to end that streak in another road game against Denver, but if the last game was any indication, it could be another long night as the Blazers are outmatched by Nikola Jokic and company.
If there was one silver lining to Portland's 29-point blowout loss, it was Donovan Clingan's play, particularly on the offensive end. The Blazers rookie finished with a career-high 21 points to go along with seven rebounds and one block. He didn't miss a single shot, going 8-for-8 from the field, 1-of-1 from three, and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
Clingan has earned a reputation as a defensive anchor, dating back to his two successful seasons at UConn, where he was a key factor in their back-to-back NCAA national championships. He was one of the safest bets in a weak draft class filled with uncertain prospects. At 7-foot-2 and 280 pounds, his physical tools, high basketball IQ, and instincts immediately translated to the defensive end at the next level.
Clingan ranks in the top three for both rebounding and blocks per 36 minutes. Clingan is an excellent fit for the identity that Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups are building as a team that prioritizes size and getting it done on the defensive end. However, he's averaged just 15.9 minutes this season due to his conditioning as well as Portland's center logjam.
Ayton's injury is unfortunate, but it does provide Clingan with an opportunity to thrive in an expanded role. To capitalize on this, though, he needs to be impactful on both ends of the court.
Donovan Clingan must develop a go-to offensive skill to reach his ceiling
As Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report highlighted when discussing the Blazers with Adam Mares on the ALL NBA Podcast, "The difference between [being a starter] and being an All-Star or being anything more than a good starter will depend on how far he comes around on offense. And how much he's able to play."
Clingan has shown flashes of being able to contribute offensively, such as in the recent game against Denver. But for the most part, his offensive game remains limited to being set up by teammates for wide-open looks in the paint.
To Clingan's credit, he's an underrated passer for his position, with solid court vision and the ability to anticipate plays -- the same skills that make him an excellent rim protector and rebounder. And as Highkin notes, his defense alone already makes him a starting-level center for the Blazers.
But to reach that next level, Clingan needs to become a more dynamic offensive threat, whether that's by establishing a post-game, becoming a floor spacer, or excelling as a lob finisher.
"You look at the Blazers' other bigs. Robert Williams is a lob finisher who will finish any lob that is around the rim. Deandre Ayton has that midrange game. Duop Reath is an outside shooter. Donovan Clingan doesn't really have any of those things. If he can develop one or two things that are his go-to things on offense that he's effective at, that changes his ceiling a little bit."