Hawks considering drafting Donovan Clingan with No. 1 pick?

Apr 8, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) celebrates defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks may be leaning toward a somewhat surprising option with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

In an appearance on “The Lowe Post” podcast, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that the Hawks are doing their due diligence on UConn’s Donovan Clingan as a potential first overall pick. Hawks coach Quin Snyder particularly likes Clingan, and the organization may see the center as the type of player who could improve the team’s poor defense.

"I've heard that Atlanta likes Donovan Clingan. Quin Snyder especially likes Clingan. Atlanta has had one of the worst defenses in the past few years. One great way to fix that is to draft a guy with a 9'7 SR who is the best shot blocker in this draft."

Givony on Lowe Post

— AKelly (@andlankell) June 4, 2024

Clingan has been viewed as a lottery pick, though perhaps not necessarily a likely option at No. 1. However, in a draft with no clear-cut top prospect, the Hawks might look at options like this one. Clingan’s dominant run through the NCAA Tournament certainly helped his draft stock, and he averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for the season in his first year as a starter.

The Hawks are likely to look a lot different next season as they try to build a winning core. Clingan, it seems, could very much be a part of that.