Jontay Porter – F/C Missouri
The Clippers already passed on one injured Porter this past summer, so will they let another slip by? Jontay Porter is the brother of Michael Porter Jr. and like his brother, had his season cut short due to injury. Porter tore both his ACL and MCL during the preseason, taking him off the court after playing in 33 games in his freshman season.
The injury is a concern, obviously, but with today’s technology and recovery methods, it’s not the end of the world. Porter showed flashes in his freshman year, putting up 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 blocker per game.
NBADraft.net notes that he has a high basketball IQ and that he has a very diverse offensive skill set.
He has shown ability on both ends of the court and could be a solid rim protector in the NBA, given his knee fully recovers. Prior to the injury, Porter already wasn’t the most explosive player, so the recovery is key. This is a big reason he has slipped down to the late lottery and he could honestly drop even further.
Still, for someone like the Clippers who may be looking to compete right away, having Porter on the bench to rehab and learn for a year (similar to what his brother is doing in Denver) could be very advantageous.
Porter would be a risky selection, but if healthy, he is likely a more talented player then the others who will be taken around him.