ESPN projections show Cavs taking Michael Porter Jr. with 8th overall pick

Could Michael Porter Jr. really fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Draft?

In ESPN’s latest mock draft, University of Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. falls to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Draft.

If this scenario were to happen, while the eight overall pick isn’t an ideal selection, Porter Jr. holds tremendous value.

Although he sustained a back injury that kept him out for the majority of his freshman season, Porter Jr. was a consensus top-three pick at the beginning of the season.

Even now, despite the national storylines have touted the ability of many young players, only three have seemed to firmly catapult themselves above Porter Jr.: center DeAndre Ayton, point-forward Luka Doncic and forward-center Marvin Bagley III.

Unlike heralded freshman like point guards Collin Sexton and Trae Young, or centers Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba, Porter Jr. has the three most common traits of players who become All-Stars: elite size, athleticism and scoring ability.

Porter Jr. is the son of two former college players and a NCAA men’s basketball coach (he played for his father) and has another triumvirate of traits that only the best players possess: a high basketball IQ, solid passing ability and the guard skills needed to be the primary ball-handler.

Must Read: Michael Porter Jr. could be the Cavs' best option in the draft

While the Cavs could use some help at the center position, lacking a big man who can both anchor the defense and put pressure on opposing team’s offensively, the only lottery-bound centers who seem like they’ll display All-Star level dominance on both ends are Ayton and Bagley III. Two players that will be off the board by the time the Cavs pick, unless there’s a fortuitous bounce for the Cavaliers in the NBA Draft Lottery.

Five-time All-Star Kevin Love has said he prefers playing the center position anyways. So upgrading the power forward position, where the departure of incumbent starter Jeff Green is seemingly inevitable (he’s worth far more than the minimum contract he signed with Cavs this season), isn’t a bad idea.

Especially when Porter Jr. could be a lot like Green but with a better three-point stroke and the ability to thrive as a team’s alpha.

Such a pick would give LeBron James a strong reason to re-sign with the Cavaliers and give the Cavaliers their forward of the future and face of the franchise should James leave (or when he retires). Having three dynamic scorers in the frontcourt goes a long way to defeating teams with elite firepower and schemes that lean towards playing small-ball.

Cavs general manager Koby Altman went to scout Porter Jr. in person after he returned from injury, so there appears to be serious interest. As there should be.

Of the teams ahead of the Cavaliers in the mock draft, only the Memphis Grizzlies (2nd overall pick) and the Chicago Bulls (7th overall pick) need serious help at a forward spot.

However, Porter Jr. isn’t expected to be a top-three pick and with three high-usage players in Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine and Lauri Markannen, the Bulls may be better off drafting a player like center Wendell Carter Jr. (ESPN has them selecting point guard Trae Young, which would spell the end of Dunn’s days in Chicago).

There’s a chance and there’s interest so don’t be surprised if Porter Jr. really is the Cavaliers pick. It would be interesting to hear James’ thoughts on the rookie-to-be.

Porter averaged 22.6 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per 40 minutes in three games for the University of Missouri.

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