Donovan Clingan was arguably the safest bet in a weak 2024 NBA Draft class filled with uncertainty. He's been as good as advertised on the defensive end with his elite paint presence as a 7-foot-2, 280-pound anchor who rebounds, blocks, and contests shots at a high level.
Clingan's 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game don't jump off the page, but he still has a strong All-Rookie case to make as someone whose impact on winning goes far beyond the stats.
He entered the Blazers' starting lineup on Feb. 12 as a result of Deandre Ayton's unfortunate left calf strain. During that stretch, Portland went 13-15 despite relying heavily on its young core with key veterans out.
Clingan and other up-and-coming talents proved they are ready to take on an increased role, making Ayton much more expendable this summer. Whether they can get off his $35.6 million salary remains to be seen, but they can always let him walk after next season.
Blazers need Donovan Clingan to improve his conditioning this summer
Clingan's elite per-36 numbers of 14.3 rebounds (ranked sixth) and 3.0 blocks (second only to Victor Wembanyama) always suggested that he deserves more playing time; the way he anchored Portland's improved defense, which catalyzed their end-of-season play-in push, solidified this.
There's no question that Clingan should be Portland's center of the future over Ayton, given his age, contract, and defensive impact. The one concern with that idea, and why the Blazers don't seem eager to part ways with Ayton if there isn't a market for him, is that Clingan still needs to improve his conditioning.
Right or wrong, Portland appears to view Ayton as someone who can bridge the gap and keep them competitive while Clingan ramps up his conditioning. Being a starter and effectively playing starter-level minutes throughout an 82-game season are two different things. And while Clingan deserves to be in Portland's starting five, he might not quite be ready for the latter.
It's not just about the minutes, either. Across the league, the best frontcourt defenders -- Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and others -- all pair their length with rare mobility that gives them enough versatility to protect the paint and switch out on the perimeter.
Clingan's stature suggests he's never going to get to that level. Still, if he can become a Rudy Gobert type -- someone who can hold his own out on an island -- he will be much more valuable for the Blazers and less likely to be played off the court in particular matchups.
The UConn product already has peak Gobert-like numbers, holding defenders to 49 percent shooting at the rim. But if he wants to become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Portland, Clingan must improve his conditioning for his availability and mobility.
That will be the swing factor in determining how much the Blazers truly nailed their No. 7 overall selection last summer.