2019 NBA Mock Draft: Is R.J. Barrett right for the Knicks?
. G/F. USC. Kevin Porter Jr.. 4. player. 24
It seems like we may not see Porter again this season. The freshman wowed in five games to start the year in SoCal, but a lingering quad injury could sideline him until the draft if he and his camp decide to prioritize the NBA over college success. If Porter feels confident he’ll be a top-five pick in June, sitting is the right decision.
At Sports Illustrated, writer Jeremy Woo wrote last week, “there is presently a substantial level of concern among NBA teams over whether Porter, who has been out more than a month with a thigh injury, will actually return to the court this season.”
Later in the month, Ricky O’Donnell asked at SB Nation, “Should he really return for USC if he’s not 100 percent?” He related the choice to college football players who skip bowl games to avoid injury. It’s the right call to protect one’s health and future success.
One problem remains for NBA scouts — they just don’t have much to work from. Playmaking wings take a while to develop (ask Boston how things are going with Jaylen Brown) and Porter just didn’t show enough against elite competition to give teams supreme confidence taking him this high.
However, the Bulls need precisely a player like Porter. He would complement Kris Dunn well in the backcourt, spacing the floor and attacking closeouts while bringing the same defensive attitude and versatility as Dunn. Porter would be what neither Zach LaVine nor Jabari Parker ever were.