Depending on the results of the 2024 NBA Draft lottery, the Oklahoma City Thunder could end up with the top-10 protected pick of the Utah Jazz, who have long been out of the running for a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Assuming the Jazz miss out on a top-10 pick and it conveys into an 11th overall selection, the Thunder could end up using that on UConn Huskies star Donovan Clingan, per a mock draft done by Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report.
Donovan Clingan won’t be for everyone, but he’ll interest specific teams looking to add more physicality and rim protection. At 280 pounds, he’ll continue to finish from the dunker’s spot, catch lobs and put back misses. He’s also nearly doubled last year’s assist rate, and he’s cut down on his fouls while still blocking 4.2 shots per 40 minutes.
Donovan Clingan is an Intriguing Potential Draft Target for the Oklahoma City Thunder
First of all, Clingan is a winner. He has two college basketball rings, having won back-to-back national titles with the Huskies in 2023 and 2024. In two seasons with UConn, the 7-2 Clingan averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. Perhaps his best asset is his shot-blocking. He averaged 2.1 blocks per game with UConn, and in the recently concluded 2024 NCAA Tournament, Clingan had 19 blocks in six games, including eight in the second round versus the Northwestern Wildcats
The Thunder will not likely have Mike Muscala back next season as well as Bismak Biyombo, so there should be some role in the frontcourt for Clingan should Clingan end up with Oklahoma City.
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