2018 NBA Mock Draft: Time for the Final Four

Porter and the Wizards are one of the combinations I love most, with Porter representing the type of big man that could truly lift John Wall and Bradley Beal to the next level offensively, especially compared with the frustrating plateaus hit by Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat in the latter part of their careers.

Porter shed some light last week on his upcoming decision about whether or not to stay at Missouri for his sophomore season, saying, “It will be a win-win regardless of what I do. I’ll get better at the sport regardless of what I do, and coming back to Mizzou would be a real treat. It would be good for me. Get my body right. Get my game better and be a better team next year.”

That’s the kind of self-awareness and clarity that is nice to see from someone who could easily become consumed by the hype surrounding he and his brother, especially after he helped lead Missouri to a shocking NCAA tournament run this year. But it also means there is a legitimate chance Porter goes back to school for his age-19 season. The freshman is taking Missouri’s spring break before deciding.

If he were to land in Washington, the offense would look drastically different. Gortat is a traditional pick-and-roll big, with little passing or shooting upside. Porter would revolutionize the Wizards’ system based on the contagious spacing and intelligence he brings.