Donovan Clingan vs Alexander Sarr: Dissecting which 2024 NBA Draft prospect is the better fit next to Victor Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs could pair Victor Wembanyama with either Alex Sarr or Donovan Clingan depending on how things shake out in the 2024 NBA Draft. The team will have two picks within the top ten, with their first pick being fourth overall, and their second being eighth. Currently, the expectation is that Sarr is selected first or second overall.
Sarr is currently an overwhelming -700 favorite on FanDuel to be selected second overall in the draft, with Clingan also expected to go within the top five. While the Spurs could miss out on both players in the event that Sarr and Clingen both go in the top five, if both are available at No. 4, however, things could get interesting.
According to reports, San Antonio has expressed interest in drafting Clingan recently, going so far as to interview him ahead of the draft. On the flip side, given that Sarr has drawn comparisons to Victor Wembanyama, it's no surprise that the franchise has expressed an interest in drafting the seven-footer.
Ahead of the draft, let's take a look at which player will be the better fit alongside Victor Wembanyama as NBA teams prepare for the first round of the draft on Jun. 26.
Breaking down whether Donovan Clingan or Alex Sarr is a better fit alongside Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio
Both Donovan Clingan and Alex Sarr play the center position, making it clear that the Spurs have their sights set on keeping Wembanyama at the five. In the case of Clingan, the UConn product has impressed fans and analysts alike, helping lead the team to an NCAA Championship.
In the case of Sarr, he spent a year with Team Overtime before then spending his sophomore year with YNG Dreamerz. Most recently, Sarr competed for the Perth Wildcats, leaving analysts impressed with his similarities to Victor Wembanyama.
Much like Wemby, Sarr has shown that his skillset is far more versatile than a traditional big. His athleticism allows him to be a perimeter threat on defense much like Wembanyama, while on the flip side allowing him to attack the basket.
At the same time, despite needing work, his jumpshot has given many fans and analysts hope that he can evolve into a capable threat from downtown. On the flipside, in the case of Donovan Clingan, the UConn alum fills the traditional big man role well, emulating four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
While this would give the Spurs a major defensive edge alongside Victor Wembanyama, it could clog the lane. On the flip side, with Sarr proving that he can drive to the hoop and finish, or kick to teammates, there's no shortage of possibilities pairing him next to Wembanyama.
Given that, it's hard to deny that a Victor Wembanyama-Alex Sarr duo could be an incredibly dominant pairing for the San Antonio Spurs.
As we saw last season, teams struggled to compete with Victor Wembanyama's length and athleticism. With a chance to acquire another young prospect who can do many of the same things as Wembanyama, the Spurs would be remiss to pass up on Sarr if he's available with the fourth pick.