RUMORS: Grizzlies Among Teams Interested In Trading Up For 20-Year-Old Center

The NBA Draft is fast approaching, and that means that it’s rumor season in the NBA. One rumor has multiple teams interested in possibly trading up for star UConn center Donovan Clingan, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN:

“There’s chatter around the league that teams such as Portland, Memphis and Chicago might look to move up to draft Clingan earlier than this, but in this mock scenario, he falls right into the Trail Blazers’ lap. Clingan brings size, length, defensive prowess, nonstop intensity and passing ability along with a back-to-back national championship pedigree. He has plenty of room for growth alongside the Blazers’ core at just 20 years old.”

The Blazers and Grizzlies were also linked to Clingan earlier in the week by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

While the Blazers already have centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III (for now) under contract, it’s worth noting that Givony is generally familiar with Portland assistant GM and draft guru Mike Schmitz’s thinking as the two were draft experts together at ESPN and Draft Express.

If the Blazers look to move on from Time Lord, they may want to add Clingan, a center who projects somewhere between a solid backup and a potential Walker Kessler type that you can build a team defense around.

The Grizzlies, having traded Steven Adams to the Rockets after he suffered a preseason injury that was season-ending, have Jaren Jackson at center – though they generally prefer to play him at power forward next to another big body. Beyond that, rookie Trey Jemison and second year player Santi Aldama – both power forwards – are the only other true big men on the roster.

The Chicago Bulls are an interesting case, in that they have a solid offensive center who is likely on the back end of his career in Nikola Vucevic but have need for a defensive minded big man. The Bulls have an aging expensive roster and could use an influx of rookie-scale difference makers as they possibly get off of a contract or two in the near future.

Blazers, Bulls, and Grizzlies have NBA Draft needs beyond Donovan Clingan

While both teams could use a difference making center, it makes more sense for the Grizzlies to swing high on Clingan. Clingan, who has question marks of his own, wouldn’t start over Ayton in Portland. It’s also likely that Blazers draft guru Mike Schmitz – known for prioritizing high-upside players in the draft – would look to another player that has a higher ceiling in the NBA Draft.

The Blazers, having drafted what they believe is their backcourt of the future in Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson, have needs everywhere else. In particular, Portland needs a true 3-and-D wing and more shooting from all over the floor.

The Grizzlies, after a lost season due to injuries suffered by Adams, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and pretty much everyone else expected to play a key role, need size and shooting.

The Bulls have the No. 11 pick in the draft next month and have many needs to address, with shooting at the top of the list.

The NBA Draft is June 26-27.