The New York Knicks reportedly met with Missouri Tigers forward and 2018 NBA Draft prospect Michael Porter Jr. at the Combine.
The New York Knicks have made it known that ambition will playing a defining role in the direction of the organization. The Knicks’ end goal is to win a championship, which means every step taken from hereon out will be taken with that vision in mind.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that New York is hoping to see one of the best prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft slide to No. 9 overall.
It was recently reported that the Knicks would be, “Thrilled,” if Michael Porter Jr. were to fall to No. 9. It’s within the realm of possibility, as the former No. 1 overall recruit missed a vast majority of the 2017-18 season with a back injury.
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, Porter claims to have met with the Knicks at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine.
Michael Porter said he met with the Knicks.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) May 17, 2018
Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, Porter loved his meeting with the Knicks—namely the connection he found with head coach David Fizdale.
"“I loved meeting with them,’’ Porter said. “They knew everything about me. It was cool meeting with those guys.”“Awesome guy,’’ Porter said of the Knicks’ new coach. “I really enjoyed talking to him. He was a real easy guy to talk to. And I just vibed with him real well.”"
The Fizdale hire may already be paying dividends, as he’s proving what many have said about him: The Memphis fiasco was an anomaly.
For those unfamiliar with Porter, he’s a near 6’11” forward with a 211-pound frame and a 7’0.25″ wingspan. He’s a smooth, if not explosive athlete, as well as a skilled offensive player who can play the role of a scorer, distributor, or off-ball decoy.
Defensively, Porter has the combination of size, length, and athleticism that the Knicks are looking at the two forward spots.
Whether he plays small forward or the 4, Porter has the unique combination of physical gifts and skill that every team covets.
In terms of his upside, Porter has a lot of Paul George to his game. He has the potential to be one of the best and most versatile on-ball defenders in the NBA, as well as an efficient scorer who produces upwards of 20 points per game.
Alongside Kristaps Porzingis, Porter could help the Knicks become the well-rounded force that Fizdale is hoping to help the franchise become.
Must Read: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Top 14 after the Lottery
The question is: Will the New York Knicks have an opportunity to select Michael Porter Jr. at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft?