5 Ways Grizzlies can use 9th pick to address severe weak point
By Will Eudy
Draft Donovan Clingan
The other direction Memphis can go with their lottery pick, of course, is keeping it and drafting someone who can fill that center spot. Naturally, management may want to opt for an established player already in the league if they end up having that option. But if the pickings are slim, there are at least one or two centers in this draft that could be worth looking at instead.
One that will likely be in the Grizzlies' range is Donovan Clingan. The starting center for the back-to-back NCAA national champion Connecticut Huskies, Clingan is set to be the first true center off the baord in this year's draft.
One of UConn's best players in their 2024 championship run, Donovan was a steady force on the interior and consistently punished smaller defenders with his massive 7-foot-2 frame. He put up two double-doubles during the Huskies' run to the title, including a 22-point, 10-rebound effort against Illinois in the elite eight.
Going for a rookie as your starting center may not be the team's top option with them anticipating being back in the playoffs next season. But as far as college prospects go, few are more talented or NBA-ready than Clingan.