Dan Hurley: Hawks 'Really Like' Donovan Clingan amid 2024 NBA Draft Rumors

As the Atlanta Hawks continue to weigh all of their options with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley has some insights about one player they are interested in.

In an interview with CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, Hurley said the Hawks "really like" Donovan Clingan and he's had conversations with them about the Huskies star.

Clingan's name has frequently popped up as an option for Atlanta at the top of the draft since the team won the lottery. He would fill the Hawks' need for a strong defensive presence in the paint, especially if they decide to keep Trae Young.

Per Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports, Clingan "made an impression" in his pre-draft workout for Atlanta's decision-makers.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has the Hawks selecting Zaccharie Risacher in his most recent mock, but he noted rival teams "continue to guess" who they prefer with their pick.

Clingan went No. 7 to the Portland Trail Blazers in Wasserman's mock, while noting some teams are interested in trading up for the UConn center.

Hurley got a first-hand look at Clingan's development over the past two seasons. The seven-footer went from playing exclusively off the bench as a freshman to being a key starter for the team during his sophomore season.

Clingan averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in 35 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign.

The Hawks did make a commitment to Onyeka Okongwu last offseason by signing him to a four-year, $62 million deal, but they could lose Clint Capela in free agency this summer.

Even with Okongwu and Capela, the Hawks ranked 27th in defensive rating and 28th in points allowed per game this season. Clingan's ability to protect the rim would solve one of the biggest problems for the team as they look to improve on their 36-46 record.