The Chicago Bulls are in dire need of rim protection, and they have their eyes fixed on Connecticut star center Donovan Clingan heading into the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Bulls’ No. 11 pick falls beyond the range within which Clingan is expected to be selected, but Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Saturday that Chicago is exploring ways to move up in the draft to acquire Clingan.
“The problem is, what do they (Chicago) really have to give to make that jump? What Clingan would give them … is an elite rim-protecting big that embraces physicality and doing the dirty work in the paint," Crowley wrote. "Even if his offensive game comes along slowly, he is an instant presence on the defensive side of the floor.”
The 20-year-old Clingan was a two-time national champion at Connecticut under Dan Hurley, anchoring UConn’s elite defense for two seasons. Clingan averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during his sophomore season, in which he finished No. 9 in the nation in field goal percentage (63.9 percent).
Clingan’s measurements at the recent NBA Draft combine proved that he is as massive as advertised. Clingan measured at 7-foot-1 3/4 without shoes with a wingspan of 7-foot-6 3/4, making him second only to Purdue’s Zach Edey in both categories. Additionally, Clingan’s 9-foot-7 standing reach tied him with Edey for the highest in the class.
If Clingan can stay healthy – something that worries NBA teams – there’s no reason why he cannot contribute to an NBA defense as a rim protector, something Chicago desperately seeks at present. Andre Drummond enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and although Nikola Vučević remains on Chicago’s depth chart, Vučević has never provided defensive value.
Trading up for Clingan in the draft would be a huge victory for Chicago. Can executive Artūras Karnišovas and general manager Marc Eversley pull off a deal?
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