2018 NBA Draft Big Board 4.0: New year, new rankings
5. Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Missouri
Porter’s stock will naturally fall due to injury concerns. He has said he might return this season, but a clean bill of health is the most important factor in just how high (or low) he’ll go on draft night. He doesn’t fall too far, though, since he was a viable No.1 candidate entering the season.
At 6-foot-10, Porter is one of the best bucket-getters we’ve seen in a while. He’s a smooth operator in isolation, boasting an impressive pull-up and plenty of tricks with the ball in his hands. That ability to be the offense’s go-to option is something NBA teams (especially those in a rebuilding phase) will value.
He’s also a plus defensive prospect, with his combination of size, mobility and length benefiting him on that side of the ball. Still, his health is the biggest factor.