The Portland Trail Blazers got their man on Wednesday, selecting UConn center Donovan Clingan with the no. 7 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.

The Blazers, along with several other teams in the top-10, fell in love with Clingan as they NBA Draft workout process played itself out. Clingan is already an elite rim-protector, something that the Blazers needed badly. Portland was the second-worst team in the NBA last season in terms of allowing field goals at the rim last season.

Clingan is definitely more of a throwback center than the other three(!) centers on the Blazers roster. Deandre Ayton is athletic as heck, but instead thrives in the pick-and-pop and seems almost averse to getting to the free throw line. Robert Williams III is a more mobile defensive anchor who succeeds with positioning but can't be counted on to play a full – or even half – season due to chronic knee issues. And Duop Reath stretches the floor out to the 3-point line to punish defenders helping off of him as Portland's guards penetrate into the paint.

The Blazers were a downright bad shooting team last season, and the elected to pass on drafting a player at a position/skillset of need to take what they feel was the best player on the board available to them. This makes a lot of sense. The Blazers aren't exactly just a player or two away. They need talent virtually everywhere on the floor, so if they believe that Clingan is the biggest difference maker in the draft, it's smart to select him and figure the roster out after the fact.

It's likely that Williams III will be on the move this offseason, and – while it's tough to imagine teams trading for Ayton with his max contract – it's possible that he is shopped around as well. Ayton played incredibly well down the stretch for the Blazers, averaging 22.7 points and 12.5 rebounds after the All-Star break. Don't be surprised to see him start the season with Portland but possibly garner some interest at the next trade deadline if he keeps up that level of play.

It would have made a lot more sense earlier in the day if the Blazers had selected Cody Williams or even Ron Holland with the no. 7 pick, but once Portland traded Malcolm Brogdon and multiple picks for forward Deni Avdija, the likelihood of Clingan being selected by the Blazers went up significantly. It wouldn't have been surprising if Portland had even traded up a spot or two in order to secure the pick. But in the end, they didn't need to deal in order to get their man.

Clingan will start next season in the rotation as the firm backup unless Ayton is somehow dealt in the offseason. He should provide the Blazers with a jolt of rim protection and defensive rebounding. While his offense isn't exactly polished, there are reports that his shooting form is further along and better than some people give him credit for. If Clingan is able to develop any kind of face up move in addition to his throwback center skills, this pick could be a home run.

But providing ample rim protection, bringing a winning attitude to a team that has lost repeatedly over recent seasons, and setting monster screens to get Scoot Henderson loose in his second season would be a great start to Donovan Clingan's Blazers career.

Final Draft Grade – B+