Houston Rockets could receive trade offers from two teams pursuing Donovan Clingan

Could the Houston Rockets be on the trade market to move down in the 2024 NBA Draft? Many teams are going to go after UConn’s Donovan Clingan, and — with the Rockets owning the third overall pick — teams could consider trading up to try to secure the 7-foot-2 center.

For the Rockets, they should continually select Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, as Clingan doesn’t quite make sense in Houston.

Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports reported that the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies are two teams to watch moving forward, with the Rockets a potential trade partner with their pick.

“Donovan Clingan will be one of the most interesting players to watch in this draft. There are a few teams that are very active and trying to trade up to draft the big man from UConn,” Finkelstein said. “Memphis and Chicago, in particular, from what I’ve heard, are making significant efforts to get to a position where they could recruit Clingan.”

The problem with these two teams attempting to trade with Houston to secure Clingan is that the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards could take a look at the UConn star with their first two selections.

“While Clingan is an option for Atlanta at (No. 1 pick) and he is an option for Washington at (No. 2 pick), there are a variety of top-seven spots that should not be destinations potential for him, specifically because they already have their centers of the future,” Finkelstein continued.

By staying put and choosing to select Clingan, the Rockets would be heading in a new direction as a franchise. Rather than building an offense around Alperen Sengun, they would anchor a solid defense with Clingan. It’s very, very unlikely, and the Rockets could benefit from teams bidding for Clingan’s services.

“He will not go to Houston where Alperen Sengun is,” Finkelstein reported. “Reports are that right now Chicago and Memphis are very clearly trying to move up in the draft in hopes of taking Clingan, with Houston being a potential trade partner there, that’s definitely something to keep an eye on. “

The Rockets could use the No. 3 pick to trade up and add another win-now talent that fits the direction Houston wants to take as a team. They won 41 games a season ago and can now make adjustments based on data received during their last campaign.

READ MORE: Why the Rockets’ eventual loss of Aaron Holiday will be bigger than expected

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