dailyloe.com – The Portland Trail Blazers’ strategic roster decision is paying major dividends this season. The team parted ways with veteran center Deandre Ayton via a buyout agreement last summer. This move cleared a path for second-year player Donovan Clingan to assume the starting role.
Clingan is now delivering the best performance of his young professional career. His post-All-Star break statistics are particularly impressive across 15 games. He averages 15.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 blocks per contest.
His offensive versatility is a key component of his breakout season. Clingan is shooting 39.3 percent from three-point range on 3.7 attempts per game. This marks a dramatic improvement from his 28.6 percent shooting on minimal attempts last year.
This development makes him a rare two-way threat at the center position. Few NBA centers can match his combined rim protection and floor spacing. He is quickly establishing himself as a top-ten player at his position league-wide.
At just 22 years old, Clingan’s continued improvement is a cornerstone for Portland’s future. He has become the second-most important player in the team’s ongoing rebuild. His partnership with forward Deni Avdija forms a promising core for the franchise.
The analytics underscore the value of his unique skill set. He efficiently produces high-value shots at the rim and from beyond the arc. His elite rebounding and defensive presence were anticipated, but his offensive leap is transformative.
Portland’s front office decision appears increasingly prescient as the season progresses. Moving on from Ayton was an addition-by-subtraction maneuver that is now bearing fruit. Clingan’s performance validates the organization’s commitment to building around his talents.[]
Source: Rip City Project
