In an exciting turn of events, the Portland Trail Blazers, led by general manager Joe Cronin, added Connecticut center Donovan Clingan to their roster in the first round of the NBA draft. Despite initial concerns about his availability, Clingan slipped past other teams and was a unanimous choice for the Blazers at the No. 7 pick.

Cronin expressed his enthusiasm for Clingan, praising his defensive prowess, winning mentality, and exceptional character. The 7-foot-2 center, who caught the attention of the Blazers' scouts during his freshman season and impressed them further in his sophomore year, is expected to be a valuable addition to the franchise's future success.

The Blazers have further opportunities in the draft's second round with picks No. 34 and 40, which will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Meanwhile, before the first round began, the Blazers made headlines by reportedly trading guard Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 pick in this year's draft, and other future picks to acquire 6-9 forward Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards. However, Cronin refrained from confirming the trade as it had not been officially finalized.

The addition of Avdija, along with Clingan, demonstrates the Blazers' commitment to improving their overall size and athleticism. Cronin emphasized that becoming more physical has been a priority for the team, and he believes they have made significant strides in that regard.

Reflecting on the NBA draft lottery, where the Blazers dropped to the seventh position despite initially having the fourth-best odds, Cronin expressed his optimism about still landing a player like Clingan. The mock drafts initially predicted that Clingan could go within the top five, but as the process unfolded, it became increasingly evident that he could fall to the Blazers at No. 7.

Cronin remained tight-lipped about Clingan's exact position on their draft board, but it is evident that the Blazers held him in high regard. The talented center averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game last season, showcasing his defensive skills with an average of 2.5 blocks per game.

While Clingan has room to improve as a shooter, Cronin expressed confidence in his ability to develop his offensive game. The Blazers' general manager praised Clingan's touch and underrated passing ability, emphasizing the young center's potential to contribute offensively.

With regards to fitting in with the Blazers' current roster, Cronin highlighted the importance of Clingan's defensive capabilities as an anchor behind their talented guards, particularly alongside last year's No. 3 pick, point guard Scoot Henderson. Cronin believes that Clingan's skills as a screen setter and his basketball IQ will make him a valuable asset on both ends of the court.

It is also worth mentioning that the Blazers already have a starting center in Deandre Ayton, whom they acquired last summer. However, Cronin dismissed any notions of Clingan's selection affecting Ayton's future, emphasizing the team's excitement about Ayton's talents and his growth throughout the previous season.

Overall, the addition of Donovan Clingan to the Portland Trail Blazers is expected to enhance the team's defensive prowess and provide valuable depth in the frontcourt. As the Blazers head into the draft's second round, fans eagerly await the unveiling of the team's remaining picks.