Donovan Clingan is the perfect fit for the Houston Rockets.

How are we maximizing roster potential when Sengun and Clingan can’t play together? Clingan turning into a Brook Lopez level shooter is about as likely as Jalen Green turning into Kobe.

we are wasting the 3rd pick on Sengun’s future backup

some of y’all are still stuck in 2005

 

We already have Landale and Adams coming off the bench next season. Just get a high potential big like Chomche and season him in the G before bringing him up for the 2nd half of the season. That way you can rest Adams for the playoffs.

 

You don't draft for need.

 

Clingan is the safest pick in this draft...high floor (higher than Reed) with upside. He's likely to be BPA.

I see him as a hot commodity at 3.

Considering the value here, we most likely trade this pick for a veteran stud, and if not, take him for ourselves.

 

Donovan Clingan is going to be a good NBA player. But it is definitely tough to draft a Roy Hibbert when you have an Alperen Sengun. I still would not hate the pick, though it would be frustrating to watch Clutch tweet every Clingan highlight, while begging for an Alperen trade for the next 4 years...

Also, you better be damn sure Reed Sheppard isn't going to blow up into a two-way Fred upgrade. Kind of move that gets you fired.

 

sengun/Clingan could work … in the 80s, something like Parish/McHale. Maybe the pendulum will swing back in the NBA

 

Tell that to the Reed Shepherd fans (most are saying Reed in order to fix our need of 3 point shooting).

I'm 100% behind the OP. We don't have a rim protector long term. Jock, I like. An older Steve Adams, I like. On pure rim protection, Clingan is 150% better than both of them and he'll outlast both our backups (with potential to exceed their talent).

The who to draft question for me: Rim protection at an elite level vs shooting at an elite level... which is harder to obtain? I'd argue the shot blocker and the physical presence at the rim is over the elite shooter. Super tall, long armed guys just aren't that common, especially if they can move well. We may not have a shot at a long armed, super tall center for years to come. Elite shooters seem to be accounted for in the current NBA. Steph Curry ain't in it right now and he's clearly the best ever out that far. Trae, Grayson Allen, Kennard, Conley, Garrison Matthews(who we relinquished because shooting wins so much), Powell, Beal, McCollum... those guys are all in the top 3 point shooting stratosphere but none of them are in the NBA Finals. Shooting isn't dependable even from great shooters when the playoffs come around. Give me a guy that shuts the rim down like he owns it... I can go to battle with a guy like that. That's why I believe in Clingan.

(Note: I love Reed. If Clingan is gone, he's my guy but you have to give Ime TALL options to have a truly diverse defense and I can't think of a player that gives Ime more options out there.)
(Note 2: I want Clingan but as Sengun's backup. Depth is a commodity. We have depth everywhere but at rim protection and yes I know Steven Adams is there waiting to take on that role. He's the best model for Clingan I've ever seen play the game.)

I'd also add that Clingan knows how to help run a system. I think Ime wants to run a system. That leads me to believe that Ime and Clingan mesh. I want a guy that's ready to adjust to the needs of the team, not the team adjust for the player coming in as a rookie.

It's time to draft for fit and need. Donovan Clingan matches fit, personality and skill deficiency better than any other player in this draft. Our play style options bloom with him on the roster. High percentage 3 point shooting helps us when the jumpers fall. Game 7 against the Warriors taught us much, mostly that shooting isn't reliable when you're in the weeds.

Draft Clingan and head to the offseason without a big trade on the books. Winning now is possible and likely, but giving out assets that we'll need to bolster ourselves as we get back into contention... that's a mistake. Win it all later or win a little more now with no trophy to show for it. That's the option as I see it.

 

Wild statement. Clingan never catching Alperen Sengun.

(Doesn’t mean he would be a bad pick…)

 

I think anyone creating threads or posting strong opinions in these threads needs to also include who they picked for the Rockets to draft the past 3 years as well, it gives us an idea of how much weight to put into their posts.

 

I actually disagree with this. I think if they both stay healthy Chet's going to be his chief rival, and somebody who CAN stop him despite the physical disadvantage.

 

Clingan would be a great pick for the Vipers because that is the only place he would get any minutes.

 

Lelz, fair.

 

At pick #3 this is a false premise. I might value fit over talent at pick 29 or 35.. maybe.

 

Mark Williams, Walker Kessler, Jalen Duren, Kai Jones, James Wiseman, Jaxson Hayes, DeAndre Ayton, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr,

ALPEREN SENGUN

Why is Clingan expected to be better than any of these guys? Why are we shopping for backups on an incomplete team?

 

7' 3" 285 lbs 9' 7" reach (2" and 40 lbs on Kessler) at 20 yrs old, good athleticism... with DEFENSIVE instincts/abilities/upside to be among the best in the NBA. He's also got a lot of offensive upside.(already a helluva passer) The kid sees the floor and understands the flow of the game on both sides.