2018 NBA Mock Draft: If need were all that mattered

This pairing of player and team is based more on a philosophical need than one on the court. Cleveland’s entire present and future derive from LeBron James’ free agency decision this summer. If he stays in town, they will need to remake the team once more to remain competitive. If he leaves, another rebuild begins. The draft, then, becomes a matter perhaps of flexibility. Taking Porter this deep into the lottery would give them an extremely talented asset who could grow alongside James or be flipped for a veteran to join him.

Talk of Porter’s draft-day value varies wildly these days. I’ve seen him fall all the way out of the lottery or be taken in the top five, depending on who’s guessing. I certainly can’t imagine, considering his five-star, McDonald’s All-American reputation that he falls out of the top 10. Teams that scout prospects from an early age will know that Porter’s combination of size and shot-making ability are generational. The Cavaliers might be the team hungry enough for a high-upside youngster to take a shot.

He fills the forward spot opposite LeBron James beautifully on offense, able to space the floor or create a bucket depending on the situation. And he could easily take on more responsibility if 2018-19 becomes a reset season for the Cavs.

More than any team in the lottery, Cleveland is truly in position to just take the best player available when they’re on the clock.