Philadelphia 76ers 2019 NBA Draft Guide
PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT: Kevin Porter Jr.
With concerns about his off-court personality and on-court decision making, Kevin Porter Jr. has seen his stock plummet in recent weeks. Once a potential top-10 pick, he’s now someone who could be available when the Sixers select at 24.
Ranked ninth on Kline’s board and 18th on Duffy’s board, it’s fair to say Porter would be a strong value that late in the first round. While there are valid complaints about his tunnel vision, a shot creator of Porter’s ilk brings rare upside in a class that’s otherwise lacking in long-term potential.
Porter has excellent physical tools, standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, strong frame and good explosion. He can weave through traffic with shifty handles, using step-backs to create space and constantly changing speeds to keep his defender off balance. It often leads to contact on drives to the rim.
While not a particularly engaged defender at USC, Porter has the tools to develop into a solid multi-position defender at the next level. As long as his awareness and attentiveness improve under NBA coaching, there’s reason for optimism in that respect.
What the experts are saying …
"“Strong, stylish scorer who flashes the skills to someday become a star, but needs to put all the pieces together.”"
"“The myriad concerns regarding Porter’s off-court issues at USC and his overall maturity have hurt him a bit, but he’s capable of some things most players can’t do with the ball in his hands. Porter isn’t considered to be a bad egg, but it will take some insulation early on to help keep him on track and focus on becoming a pro. On ability alone, he’s totally justifiable in the lottery, teams just have to feel comfortable that they can put him in a positive environment to help him get acclimated and avoid distractions.”"
— Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated/The Crossover
"“It’s easy to see how, with honing, Porter’s scoring skill set might one day put him in the All-Star conversation, or at least in the position to be an 18 or 20 point per game scorer that earns a near-max contract at some point on his NBA journey.”"