Top NBA landing spots for Donovan Clingan

There's no clear consensus on Clingan's rank in what looks to be an unpredictable NBA Draft. Top prospects range from places like France, Serbia, G League Ignite and even Clingan's own Huskies team. But we'll focus on the four places where he'd be most likely to thrive as a pro.

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis traded the injured Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets in February, leaving them a hole in their frontcourt alongside Jaren Jackson, Jr. Clingan would provide the same kind of toughness and bone-crunching screens that the Grizzlies got from Adams from 2021-23, along with some potentially elite rim protection.

Clingan could be a perfect complement to Jackson, who is a tremendous shot-blocker, but four inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter than the imposing 20-year-old. Memphis will have to get past huge big men in the Western Conference, from two-time MVP Nikola Jokic to rookie Victor Wembanyama, along with Chet Holmgren, Anthony Davis and Minnesota's duo of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. Clingan has also shown off some nice passing skills, something that should help Ja Morant when he returns.

Charlotte Hornets

It's still not clear who will be coaching the Hornets next season, but whoever it is can't fail to see that the team's presumed center of the future can't stay on the court. Mark Williams was the Hornets' pick at No. 15 in the 2022 draft, but he played only 19 games this season and 62 in his NBA career. This year he suffered a lingering back injury, an ominous ailment for a young big man.

With promising young players LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller on board and providing a big portion of Charlotte's offense, a huge rim protector like Clingan could really help the team's 27th-ranked defense. He'd plug a big hole in a very leaky Hornets defense while thriving with a steady diet of lobs from Ball.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls re-signed Nikola Vucevic last summer to a deal that runs through 2025-26, but the 33-year-old has shown signs of decline this year. However, the presence of such a skilled veteran center could provide a perfect situation for Clingan, as he could develop in a low-pressure environment while picking up some of Vucevic's impressive playmaking and pick-and-pop game.

Chicago's defense has been lacking this season, particularly on the interior. The Bulls have had to send help and double-teams, which has in turn led to them giving up the second-most three-pointers in the NBA. That's where Clingan can make a big impact, immediately boosting the Bulls' mediocre shot-blocking and rebounding numbers. By his second season, he'll be ready to have Vooch be his backup instead.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pels would likely have to trade up or get lucky in the lottery to get a shot at Clingan, but with Jonas Valanciunas set to hit free agency this summer, Clingan could be the center of the future alongside Zion Williamson at the four.

Valanciunas has been good for New Orleans, but the team is coming up against the luxury tax next season. Getting Clingan instead would slash their payroll and tax risk, while giving them a cheap option at the five as players like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones become more expensive. He'd provide a similar wide body to Valanciunas but more upside for a team that could be one stud rim protector away from being a truly elite defense.