Kevin Porter Jr. has flashed tons of potential on both ends this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I firmly believe he can become the Wine and Gold’s best defender in the near future, too.
Us fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers have all at some point marveled at rookie Kevin Porter Jr.’s offensive tool box this season, of which is currently suspended until further notice due to precautions being exercised to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Porter, who is just 19, is a player that though he still has a ways to go and does force it as a ball-handler and passer still, which is understandable, has a rare combination of handle, strength, explosion and ability to change speeds.
Overall, KPJ’s 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals per contest this year (as noted by Basketball Reference) have been very promising.
Plus, frankly, at a fairly solid 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds, of which he could feasibly add some muscle in coming years even, Porter’s the most athletic player on the Cavaliers’ current roster. Larry Nance Jr. is probably the other in that conversation, I’d say.
That athleticism for Porter to me, though, will also translate as he gets more and more experience for Cleveland on the defensive end of the floor, and perhaps more so.
While Porter’s defensive rating this season of 113.2, according to NBA.com, has been far from exceptional, and KPJ has to get more consistent on the money end of the floor in the team sense, his feel leads me to believe he’ll be a high impact player in that realm fairly soon.
I’ll also reiterate that for a 19-year-old, that’s not something that should be expected, and that plays right into me believing that in the near future, KPJ can become the Cavs’ best defender.