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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Fallout from Zion Williamson’s injury gives others a chance to shine

By Brendon Kleen

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a made three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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12. player. 86. . G. USC. Kevin Porter Jr.

The awkward trajectory of Porter’s season in Los Angeles continued this week as the combo guard played 19 minutes at home against Oregon on Thursday before looking like his old self again two nights later against Oregon State. The Badgers had little hope defending Porter and the Trojan offense on Saturday night as the freshman lit up for 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, showing the type of all-around impact coach Andy Enfield has yearned for all season.

Porter is a master of both angles and acceleration. He has the handle and balance to get around defenders as well as the physicality and athleticism to go over them. He is very left-hand dominant dribbling in space but can finish around the basket with either hand and use his dribble to create separation for pull-up jumpers.

Porter is also playing hard again, either as a result of buying in more to what Enfield wants from him or simply getting healthy after a quad injury stole a month of his season. He had two offensive rebounds against Oregon State and finished a nice putback layup through traffic off an open corner 3 generated by his teammates.

The ability to play in a team context and affect the game as more than just a scorer will be big for Porter proving he is worth a lottery pick. If he looks like a more complete version of the player we saw in non-conference play, Porter would be a picture-perfect fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins in Minnesota.

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