Grizzlies tabbed as one of 'best team fits' for towering young center this offseason

Due largely to injuries, this Memphis Grizzlies team has been in complete disarray throughout 2023-24.

However, with just two games remaining on the regular season docket, they will soon be able to put this year's campaign in the rearview and start prepping for the next several that are still to come.

When fully healthy, this ball club is viewed as a legitimate title contender with the likes of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way. Of course, even with this star power, Zach Kleiman and company should still be actively trying to fill the remaining voids present within their rotation.

Whether healthy or not, perhaps the most glaring weakness this Grizzlies team has resides at their starting pivot position, as the front office opted to clear house down at the five mid-way through this season what with the trades that sent Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman outbound.

Over the past few months since the February 8 deadline passed, there have been a slew of ideas discussed regarding how Memphis could go about trying to find a replacement to Adams as their primary center. From free agency to offseason blockbusters, fans and media pundits have seemingly thought of it all.

Of course, should they wish to be more cost-efficient with their talent search, nabbing a young prospect in this June's NBA Draft could prove to be an ideal course of action, and, just recently, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report tabbed the franchise as being one of the "best team fits" for projected first-round pick, Donovan Clingan.

Memphis Grizzlies tabbed as one of 'best team fits' for Donovan Clingan

"Offensively, he'll spend possessions setting screens and rolling, waiting in the dunker's spot or commanding low-post touches with his back to the basket. He'll be a catch-and-finish big man who also puts pressure on the offensive glass.

Defensively, he'll anchor the paint, play drop coverage in pick-and-rolls and prevent second-chance points with his massive size for defensive rebounding."

- Jonathan Wasserman

While he may be viewed as a prospect with limited skills, as he lacks any consistency in his offensive game outside of 10 feet and, though has a knack for swatting and redirecting shots, has trouble staying with quicker players on defense, Clingan is a rock-solid big man with the size to feast in the paint on both ends of the floor, gobble up rebounds, and set hard screens for teammates.

Frankly, that's exactly what this Grizzlies team may need with Morant, Bane, and Jackson back in the lineup next season.

Coming off his second straight NCAA Championship with the UConn Huskies, Clingan wrapped up his second and what is presumed to be final collegiate season boasting averages of 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds all while shooting 63.9 percent from the field.

While adding someone with his capped skillset to this Grizzlies core may not be the "sexiest" of ideas, per se, it just may be one of the safest and, frankly, ideal turnouts for the ball club should they opt to snag depth at their center position during this year's draft.

With this in mind, it's no wonder that Memphis is being tabbed as one of Clingan's best fits at the next level.