Tier 1
Kevin Porter Jr., Grant Williams, Matisse Thybulle
The range for Kevin Porter Jr. and Grant Williams has become exceedingly difficult to pin down. Porter’s stock has been dropping since the combine, but he still received a last-minute invite to the green room. He could land anywhere between 14 and 30 without inducing total shock.
Porter is slotted at No. 9 on my draft board. There are concerns about his personality and off-court actions, but every indication is he’s a good kid, if a bit immature. The Sixers have a strong culture, hard-working players and an elite coach-player dynamic under Brett Brown‘s leadership. I like those odds.
Few players projected outside the top-10 have more shot creation potential than Porter. He’s a strong-bodied 6-foot-6 wing with shifty handles and explosiveness, using step-backs, changes in speed and crossovers to beat his defender.
Porter has NBA range on his shot and a translatable skill that often equates to All-Star potential. Even in the evolving NBA, there’s serious value in players who can create their own offense on a consistent basis. Porter checks that very important box.
As for Williams, he’s one of the smartest players in the 2019 class. He lacks elite-level physical tools and athleticism, but he’s constantly in the right position. His defense is highlighted by well-timed rotations and impressive verticality, possessing a knack for deterring shots and not fouling.
He will be a plus defender in the NBA and has enough skill to become a well-rounded offensive threat. His passing is divine at the four spot, while his jumper has room for expansion. He has the potential to develop into a viable pick-and-pop threat long term.
Matisse Thybulle is the best perimeter defender in the draft. He’s 6-foot-5, but plays much bigger than his listed height. Using explosive athleticism and a 7-foot wingspan, Thybulle constantly jumps passing lanes and soars for weak-side blocks.
As a cornerstone in Washington’s zone defense, Thybulle was allowed to play free safety — something he does better than most. He reads passes, racks up deflections and makes coordinated closeouts along the perimeter. The label of defensive playmaker is fitting.
All three are strong options at 24, though some mocks have Williams and Thybulle in the conversation at 33.