2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

Age: 19 (6/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 215 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .333/.300/.778
Season Averages: 3 GP, 17.7 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 3PM

There are an abundance of options here for an Atlanta Hawks franchise that desperately needs to strike pay dirt. Atlanta would certainly benefit from adding a future All-Star here, but it needs to acquire a legitimate franchise player.

Thus, while some have questioned how genuine the All-NBA potential is here, the Hawks look past the injuries and invest in a player who garnered top-pick hype: Michael Porter Jr.

Mohamed Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr. are ranked higher by some, but Atlanta needs a go-to scorer. There are high-quality players on the roster already, but the opportunity to draft a forward who has the tools to score 20-plus a night shouldn’t be overlooked.

This clearly leads to questions about what will come of either John Collins or Taurean Prince, but it’s fair to argue that Porter would have the highest ceiling of the trio.

When healthy, Porter is a dynamic athlete who can shoot with legitimate NBA range and beat his man off the bounce from 24 feet. He’s also a tremendous rebounder, which enables him to play either forward position at a high level.

I’m high on both Collins and Prince, but Atlanta’s history of passing on the great to believe in the good shouldn’t continue in this new era. Porter is the pick.

Knicks Note: Michael Porter Jr. is an option at No. 9. If he falls that far, he’d be the No. 1 realistic option.