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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Full first round before 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season Round 20 game between Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Wizink Arena on January 25, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season Round 20 game between Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul at Wizink Arena on January 25, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 19: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers watches from the bench during the game against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Mizzou Arena on December 19, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – DECEMBER 19: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers watches from the bench during the game against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Mizzou Arena on December 19, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

. Forward. Missouri. Michael Porter Jr.. 6. player. 67

Age: 19 (6/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 215 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .333/.333/.000
Season Averages: 12.5 PPG, 7.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.5 APG. 0.5 BPG

Michael Porter Jr. has injury concerns, but the Sacramento Kings are an organization that desperately needs to find a future face of the franchise. Thus, while there are other options who may help more in the short-term, Porter easily has the highest ceiling.

Having received Paul George comparisons throughout his high school career, Porter is the perfect fit for a Kings team that’s suffering from a decade-plus identity crisis.

The sample size is admittedly limited to his high school career, but Porter has the skill level and confidence of a star at any level. He’s a 6’10” small forward with the versatility to play the 4 in the small-ball and stretch era of the NBA.

There are questions about how his back injury will impact his athleticism, but if it returns, Porter will be one of the most dynamic players to emerge from this draft class.

The George comparison is built on the fact that Porter has NBA range on his jump shot and an almost untouchable release point for a player at his position. He also has two-way potential with the agility and strength to defend multiple positions.

This is a risky pick for any franchise to make, but if any organization needs to gamble on a No. 1 overall level talent, it’s the Kings.

If Porter slides any further than this, the New York Knicks trading up to draft him could be an option.

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