The last time a Portland Trail Blazers player won Rookie of the Year was Damian Lillard in 2013. They've had a handful of productive first-round picks since then, including C.J. McCollum, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson. Portland has been very guard-heavy in drafts, but now, they finally could have a frontcourt prospect ready to contend for the award in Donovan Clingan.
If Clingan were to win Rookie of the Year, he'd be the fifth Blazer in history to do so, joining Geoff Petrie (1971), Sidney Wicks (1972), Brandon Roy (2007), and Lillard.
The Uconn big man still has ways to go before being seriously considered, as he's not even in the top ten on the latest Kia Rookie Ladder. However, the main thing standing in his way was a lack of opportunity. As evidenced by Clingan's elite per-36 numbers, where he currently sits top two in both rebounds and blocks, he's been incredibly effective in limited stretches so far this season.
Donovan Clingan could still win Rookie of the Year with an increased role in Deandre Ayton’s absence
Clingan has averaged just 16.3 minutes this season, partially due to his conditioning but primarily because of Portland's center logjam. He has a chance to gain a ton of ground in the ROY race after the unfortunate injury to Deandre Ayton, who will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a left calf strain. Clingan has played exceptionally well in Ayton's absence so far, coming off a 17-point, 20-rebound performance in their most recent loss to Denver.
The Blazers only have 27 games remaining on their schedule. In typical years, we would be too far into the season for Clingan to emerge. But this is one of the weakest draft classes in recent memory, with no clear frontrunner to run away with the award.
San Antonio Spurs guard and Rising Stars MVP Stephon Castle currently sits No. 1 in the Rookie Ladder, but Clingan has a golden opportunity to catch him. The former UConn teammates have been bright spots in a weak class, but Clingan's role is expanding while Castle's seems to be plateauing. The Spurs added De'Aaron Fox into the backcourt after already promising Chris Paul a starting role, making Castle the odd man out. That leaves the door wide open for Clingan.
Clingan has already proven to be an elite defensive presence as someone who controls the paint with his 7-foot-2 frame and instincts as a rim protector. It could come down to how much he contributes offensively. He's unpolished on the offensive end, but if he continues playing like he has the two games before the All-Star break, he will be firmly in the conversation for the coveted award by the end of the season.