"Two seven-footers in a ball screen would be pretty scary": Donovan Clingan shares his reaction to potential pairing with Spurs' Victor Wembanyama
With the 2024 NBA draft just hours away, former UConn center Donovan Clingan is emerging as a potential top 3 pick. Many mock drafts are even predicting him to go first overall.
Washington Post NBA writer Ben Golliver shared a clip on Twitter where Clingan was asked about the possibility of teaming up with the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama.
"That would be crazy. He's done offensive, and he's such an all-rounded player. He can play one through five," Clingan said. "Two seven-footers in a ball screen would be pretty scary. I feel like on the defensive end, two high-level rim-protectors and two people who can move, and I feel like something that can really work out."
For the two giants to team up, Clingan must wait until the 4th pick, which belongs to the Spurs. According to the New York Post's odds, he currently holds the second position at +260, just behind Zaccharie Risacher. Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, mentioned that Clingan might be the first overall pick in this year's draft.
According to CBS Sports' Adam Finkelstein's final mock draft, Donovan Clingan is projected as the third overall pick, potentially heading to the Memphis Grizzlies after a trade with the Houston Rockets. On the other hand, NBC Sports and ESPN have placed him at number seven, heading to Portland.
Spurs are considering Donovan Clingan to pair with Wembanyama
With two top 8 picks, Gregg Popovich's Spurs have a golden opportunity to add top-tier players to pair up with Victor Wembanyama. According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the Spurs are reportedly interested in Donovan Clingan and might select him with the 4th pick if he's still available.
Clingan averaged 13.0 points, 2.5 blocks, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for UConn last season, guiding Dan Hurley's team to back-to-back national championships. Many NBA teams have shown interest in the 7-foot-2 star, and San Antonio is no exception.
The Spurs already have a generational talent holding down the center position with Victor Wembanyama. Adding another center to play alongside him might seem unnecessary, but Wembanyama could potentially shift to a forward position if Clingan assumes the center role.