The seventh overall pick in last summer’s draft, Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan (26% rostered, Yahoo) has dealt with a crowded rotation for most of this season. And when neither Deandre Ayton nor Robert Williams was moved before the trade deadline, there was even more significant concern among fantasy managers who hoped to see Clingan flourish during the “silly season.” Well, Ayton suffered a calf strain that will keep him out for at least four weeks, and Williams was not available for Wednesday’s game in Denver due to a knee injury.
That left Clingan to hold down the fort against three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic. And the rookie held his own in Portland’s 132-121 defeat. In 31 minutes, Clingan accounted for 17 points (7-of-12 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), 20 rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots. The 20 boards are a career-high, and this was also his first game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Clingan will be most valuable in the field goal percentage, rebound, and blocked shot categories, but the most important thing for him is to get consistent minutes. Unfortunately, it took injuries to open things up for “Cling Kong,” but the time is now for the 7-foot-2 rookie. Let’s look at a few more top pickups from Wednesday’s loaded slate, beginning with one of Clingan’s college teammates.
PG/SG Stephon Castle (33%), San Antonio Spurs
De’Aaron Fox’s arrival in San Antonio may have concerned some Castle managers, especially since the rookie was bumped out of the starting lineup. However, in the five games the Spurs have played since acquiring their expected point guard of the future, Castle has provided added value off the bench. The rookie has been a seventh-round player in eight-cat formats, and he finished Wednesday’s loss to the Celtics with 20 points (7-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two three-pointers in 24 minutes. Trailing Golden State by two games in the loss column for the final play-in spot in the West, San Antonio is still in the mix heading into the All-Star break. And, based on his recent play, Castle doesn’t need the Spurs to pull the plug to add fantasy value.
