Could the Atlanta Hawks potentially select Donovan Clingan with the top overall pick?
Excitement is building for the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, with speculation abounding regarding their intentions for the June 26th event.
Speculation has been rife about UConn’s talented center, Donovan Clingan, being a strong contender for the number one draft position. Recently, in an interview with CBS Sports, UConn’s head coach, Dan Hurley, shared that he had conversations with Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder for advice during the process of potentially considering the Lakers’ job. Hurley mentioned in the interview that he was aware of the Hawks’ keen interest in Clingan.
“Seth Greenberg. He’s always been a great, great advisor and counsel for me. People that I have really have a lot of respect for. Tom Izzo. I talked to him. He was very helpful. Billy Donovan has always been somebody I talked to a lot. Brad Stevens, Quin Snyder. Quin Snyder is a really smart guy who, I know that they (the Atlanta Hawks) really like Donovan (Clingan), so I was able to kind of talk to them about Donovan, but then also to pick his brain in large part.”
Although it’s wise to remain cautious until the Hawks officially make their selection, it’s worth noting that Hurley openly recognizes Atlanta’s favorable view of Clingan, a sentiment that is now widely known.
In a recent mock draft by CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein, he projected the Hawks to pick Sarr with the top selection. However, Finkelstein also intriguingly mentioned the connection between the Hawks and Clingan in his draft analysis.
“I’ve gone back and forth on whether Atlanta will select Sarr or Risacher in recent weeks, which I believe is an appropriate reflection of some of the indecision happening in Atlanta. Sources also say Clingan not only worked out, but made an impression while doing so, fueling rumors of a potential trade down where they could target the big man and add another draft asset.”
If the Hawks were interested in trading down to acquire Clingan, the potential scenarios include discussions about how far back they might move and what they could receive in return. Speculation has circulated about trade possibilities, such as one involving the San Antonio Spurs offering picks No. 4 and No. 8 to the Hawks, or alternatively, including the Hawks’ pick from the Dejounte Murray trade in a deal for the No. 4 pick. However, there is uncertainty surrounding Clingan’s availability by the time these picks come up, and the likelihood of the Spurs agreeing to such a deal is questionable.
Clingan is also being considered as an option for the Washington Wizards at the No. 2 spot, while there are murmurs of teams, potentially Memphis, attempting to move up to the No. 3 spot to secure him. Moreover, there is a possibility that the Houston Rockets might opt to keep their No. 2 pick and select Clingan if they view him as the best available player. Although moving back to the No. 2 spot could be a consideration for the Hawks, there have been no reports indicating any interest from the Wizards in trading up.
Regarded as the top player from college in this draft, Clingan is seen as a safe pick due to his perceived defensive prowess and potential for offensive growth. Comparisons have even been drawn between Clingan and the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, who was coached by the current Hawks head coach, Quin Snyder, during their time together in Utah. While likening Clingan to Gobert may seem ambitious, there are clear parallels that can be drawn between the two players.
With less than two weeks remaining until the NBA Draft, the unfolding events leading up to the draft night will unveil the final decisions and potential surprises. Let’s wait and see how everything plays out.
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