2019 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
By Jakob Ashlin
The Cleveland Cavaliers will receive this pick from the Houston Rockets as part of a trade deadline that sent Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss to the Cavaliers.
Kevin Porter Jr.’s draft stock has plummetted this season. He was expected to be a top 10 pick, but off the court issues combined with disappointing performances have now made those projections unlikely. Porter was suspended for two games due to a conduct issue and has earned a reputation of being undisciplined.
On the court, he has not been much better. Porter is only averaging 9.8 points per game and he has failed to elevate his team. He is shooting 40% from three (16-40), but his 48.1% free-throw shooting raises serious questions. He tends to hold onto the ball too long, as well and needs to play within the offense.
The Cavaliers are in the midst of a full rebuild, and at pick 21 can afford to roll the dice on Porter. He is still an excellent athlete who can create his own shot. In high school, he flashed the ability to finish at the rim, in the mid-range, and behind the arc. Porter is still only 18 years old and if the Cavaliers are the patient with him, they may have found great value at this point in the draft.