Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Porter Jr. at top of their Big Board?

The Cleveland Cavaliers, armed with the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, have shown more public interest in Michael Porter Jr. than any other prospect.

If you’ve followed along the Cleveland Cavaliers’ path to the 2018 NBA Draft, you’ll notice one draft prospect’s name pops up more than others: Michael Porter Jr., a 6-foot-10 forward from the University of Missouri.

After being named as the Gatorade Player of the Year, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, USA Today’s High School Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American in 2017, Porter is understandably considered an elite prospect despite missing nearly the entire season with a spine injury he sustained in high school.

He scored 19 points while tallying 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal and the Nike Hoop Summit (2017). He scored 17 points while pulling down 8 rebounds and collecting a steal in the McDonald’s All-American game, leading to MVP honors (2017).

He averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game at the adidas Nations tournament (2017) and 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 block per game for the FIBA Junior Team in the U-18 Americas Championship tournament (2016).

Though he played in just two minutes in his college debut, Porter has faced top competition at his level.

When he would return to the court, it would be just ahead of the NCAA tournament and Cavs general manager Koby Altman himself would be in attendance.

In 23 minutes, Porter would notch 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 2 turnovers as Missouri lost 62-60. In his third and final game of the season, he would score 16 points, grab 8 rebounds and tally 3 steals in 28 minutes. It’s difficult to assess the talent of any player in just two games but Porter was having an immediate impact and after missing 30 games.

Following the season, Porter declared for the draft and went through the normal preparations for top prospects. He attended the NBA Draft Combine and, according to cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon, he was said to have met Cavs officials. He held his Pro Day in Chicago over the weekend and, according to Vardon, he would be observed by Cavs officials.

There has been no other prospect who the Cavs have publicly shown as much interest in.

Not Bagley. Not DeAndre Ayton. Not Luka Doncic.

The only player who comes close is Collin Sexton, who the Cavaliers brought in for a private workout immediately after losing the 2018 NBA Finals. Who the Cavs may have also met with at the NBA Draft Combine. Who, according to basketball insider Adam Zagoria, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert scouted in-person as he faced off against University of Oklahoma point guard Trae Young.

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Following clues along the rumor trail is similar to “reading tea leaves” in that there’s not certainty in the conclusion.

However, there’s a key difference in that the former requires a belief of unsubstantiated reports.

When you read tea leaves, the reports are accurate. You’re just trying to see what these accurate reports tell you is going to happen next.

My prediction?

If Porter Jr. is available after the top three picks, even if it requires moving up, they’ll try to take him if they can. Unlike Sexton, Porter is gaining serious momentum ahead of the draft and impressed scouts with his combination of physical prowess and scoring ability enough to start getting consideration as a top-three prospect again.

Furthermore, Porter can play in place of LeBron James if the latter decides to leave in free agency or play beside James thanks to size, athleticism, inside-outside game and scoring-minded approach.

However, if the Cavs don’t want to get bit by a player with an injury history (for the umpteenth time) or simply can’t select Porter because he’s off the board, they’ll select Sexton.

*All stats gathered from www.sports-reference.com/cbb and basketball.realgm.com

Cavs interest in Michael Porter Jr. seems to put him at top of their Big Board

By Quenton S. Albertie | Jun 13, 2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers, armed with the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, have shown more public interest in Michael Porter Jr. than any other prospect.

More from Cavs News