Report: Michael Porter Jr. the Cavs top choice in the draft
The Cleveland Cavaliers have Michael Porter Jr. at the top of their 2018 NBA Draft wishlist.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, University of Missouri’s freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. is at the top of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2018 NBA Draft big board.
Source: Trae Young conducted a secret workout with the Cavs on Saturday. If Michael Porter is gone, it seems to be a toss-up at the moment between Young and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Cleveland at #8. We've given Shai the nod in our latest mock today: https://t.co/hpiDE2e70Y
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2018
If healthy, Porter Jr. is considered a top-three talent in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Last week, I speculated on the likelihood that Porter Jr. was in fact at the top of the Cavaliers’ board for the 2018 NBA Draft. While the basis of that speculation was the unparalleled public attention given to Porter Jr., the other reasons for selecting Porter were what I felt were obvious:
(1) With LeBron James being open to leaving in free agency, Porter Jr. is a ready-made replacement for him at forward. James is far more of a complete, all-around player but Porter’s size and scoring prowess make him an elite prospect.
(2) If James stays and the Cavaliers find themselves unable to attain a star player on the trade market, drafting a player with MVP-caliber potential isn’t a bad backup plan. To that point, coupling James’ pass-first mindset with Porter’s scoring mindset makes for a balanced 1-2 punch.
Porter has had an interesting week as far as forward prospects go.
He’s had workouts that have him being seen as a top-three talent but “exaggerated” reports a hip strain during a workout sent teams into a frenzy. He went on live TV and said that he believes Kevin Durant is a better player than James — a belief he’s had for years — and then said his game compares to a more physical version of Durant, a less conscientious shooter than Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tracy McGrady (which could only mean he thinks he’s going to be one of the best players of all-time).
Here’s what Michael Porter Jr. told me about how he views himself in the NBA (@MPJr): pic.twitter.com/Qvh39yDsbz
— Damon Amendolara (@DAonCBS) June 18, 2018
All things considered, his averaging 22.6 points and 15.1 rebounds per 40 minutes last season (3 games) is particularly impressive when you consider the success he had in FIBA and non-FIBA events prior to his freshman season. That said, player comparisons aside, Porter Jr. does have the makings of a future star.
He has the talent. He has the drive. He has the confidence.
The only question is if he has the health.
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*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com