If Portland wants to give us #7 and #14 to get Clingan, I say do it in this draft class. The talent level is really really close throughout the entire lottery IMO.
1) Sarr 2) Risacher 3) Sheppard 4) Topic 5) Castle 6) Clingan 7) Dillingham 8) Kenecht 9) Salaun 10) Carter I’m not sure I buy the ignite guys as good prospects. I’m kind of meh of Collier, McCain, Flip. I guess I could be talked into Cody Williams, but he’s a project. I’m not excited about who would be there at #14
My targets would be Carter at #7 (unless Sheppard dropped to us there) and probably try to grab Filipowski at #14. Filipowski looks like a safe bet to be a Kelly Olynyk type of dude, and there might be a little more in there.
I don't hate Donovan Clingan. He reminds of the Vanilla Gorilla, Joel Pryzbilla, who would not be a good fit on offense with an uncreative PF like Jabari Smith Jr., nor a great fit defensively with Alperen. I greatly, GREATLY prefer Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun together, on both ends. With the right SF, there is a path to a dominant 2-way frontline with SF-Jabari-Alperen... (DB+Bari+Alperen resulted in a top 10 defense, with all three losing time to injury...) Bridges+Jabari+Alperen, for instance, would be nasty. I could see Brooklyn/Houston biting on Bridges for Donovan in some form at the draft. The 2025 Brooklyn Pick is off the table, though. Nets can build around Cam Thomas (22) + Donovan Clingan (20) + Suns Picks... Maybe we are nice and toss them their own 2026 pick back...
If we do draft Clingan, I hope he shows out. I hope that three-ball is a real thing. If anyone can scheme a defense with Jabari+Alperen+Clingan, it is Ime Udoka.
This is a really stupid thread. Drafting a player who would be at best a 3rd string center, which is our best and deepest position, makes zero sense. Also, Alpi is by far the best player on this team. Trading him would be the stupidest move Stone could make. Our biggest issue last year was that our shooting guard played like **** other than for one month out of the entire season. Reed Sheppard should be the no brainer pick if he is available. This team needs people who can shoot and Reed is one of the best ever coming out of the NCAA.
I dont believe this either. But he was switching more than anything else to help stop Purdue's 3 pt shooters. He actually kind of impressed me with his ability to switch defensively.
The argument is that we will trade Alperen for "the guy" to build around, and Clingan would suit whoever that guy is. Let's see If they say that when Alperen is dumping 28-12-8 on people in a couple years. "I feel like this is a guy who's going to make 8-9 All-Star games, multiple All-NBA teams," Redick said on his podcast. "If the Rockets build this thing right, [he'll] be in the conversation for at least top 5-6 for MVP - I believe this guy is that good." We'll see.
I believe the only scenario that the Rockets draft Clingan is to not keep him. He and Sengun share the same agent btw. It is quite a gamble imo because of how uncertain 3-10 looks like. Unless we have some clarity whom San Antonio, Detroit, and Charlotte want, I’d probably not do it. (I think Castle, Matas (he’s represented by a relative of Detroit Pistons’ business exec), but beyond that nothing is clear)
right now the team to beat is Dallas. I am not sure if a Twin Tower approach will be the best course.
Clingan can't switch on NBA players without being killed. He wouldn't be able to stay in front of KAT Williams on the perimeter, much less a wing. As a matter of fact most his defensive highlights in college the guys were getting past him. If you disagree show proof. Just because teams play small ball and other teams copy them, doesn't make it law. Luka can't switch or stay in front of Edwards. Gobert a 4-time DPOY can't switch or stay in front of Luka. Size, anticipation, defensive position, intelligence, and scheme all matter more than ability to switch on the perimeter, especially when talking about 7 footers. Who out of the last NBA 4 MVP's can switch on defense? Somehow Edey was better in agility drills and faster in 3/4 sprint. Who is the only player in NCAA history to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per game.
If the Rockets signal that they are willing to take Clingan for another team, you have a trade right there in the works.
