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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

By Maxwell Ogden

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers plays against the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers plays against the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

93. . Center. Missouri Tigers. Jontay Porter. 24. player

Age: 18 (11/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 240 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .437/.364/.750
Season Averages: 24.5 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.2 3PM

The Philadelphia 76ers have overloaded the roster with young talent. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing from a team-building perspective, but personnel development becomes an unenviable task when players aren’t provided with a platform to develop in in-game settings.

For the 76ers, that means utilizing the second of two first-round draft picks on a player who actually fits a need: Missouri Tigers center Jontay Porter.

Porter is a slight reach here, but he’s a shot-blocking big who can shoot the three-ball at a respectable level and pass from the high post. It’s a growing combination of skills, but it remains rare amongst established NBA players—namely those who work the second unit.

With Joel Embiid in need of a quality backup who can fill in on the off chance that he misses time, Porter could be an ideal fit in Philadelphia,

Porter ranked in the top 100 in both block percentage and defensive rebound percentage in 2017-18. He also converted an average of 1.2 three-point field goals per game while shooting an efficient 36.4 percent from distance.

If the 76ers are going to legitimize the defense, then adding a developable young talent on a cost-controlled contract would be a wise decision.

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