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Atlanta Hawks Rumors: 2-Time NCAA Champion is an Emerging Under-the-Radar Option for the Top Overall Pick

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated 5/25/24

The Atlanta Hawks have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. But because there’s not a surefire, can’t-miss prospect in this summer’s class, if experts are to be believed, they are still weighing their options in these next few weeks.

While most mock drafts have the Atlanta Hawks picking Alex Sarr to bolster their frontcourt since they’re rumored to be shopping Clint Capela, a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo has emerged, saying that the team might consider selecting Donovan Clingan from the UConn Huskies.

“The draft lottery did not do him too many favors, though, slating teams with entrenched starters at the center position at Nos. 3, 4, and 5, which might drop him a little further than his big-board ranking indicates,” wrote Givony.

“It would not be surprising to see teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers or the Memphis Grizzlies try to move up on draft night to snag their starting center of the future. There is some chatter, however, that Clingan has fans among the Hawks’ constituency at No. 1, meaning there’s a lot left to be played out between now and June 26,” he concluded.

Earlier this week, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman listed the two-time NCAA champion as the third-best prospect out of the 2024 class after having him at No. 11 a few weeks ago.

Should the Atlanta Hawks pull the trigger on Donovan Clingan?

Clint Capela is not the only player being shopped by the Atlanta Hawks, as there are rumors that they might also part ways with at least one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. As currently constructed, the Atlanta Hawks cannot contend for titles soon, so they might have to consider rebuilding their roster.

If the Atlanta Hawks are fans of Donovan Clingan, they can pick him right away with the top overall pick or select him a bit later, assuming they get additional draft capital if they trade down.

Listed at 7’2″ and 285 pounds and compared to Rudy Gobert, scouts are raving about Clingan’s readiness for the NBA because of his defensive potential, as the Atlanta Hawks were ranked bottom-three in points per game allowed and opponents’ field goal percentage this season.