Ultimate Upside Comparison: Paul George
Safe Upside Comparison: Danny Granger
Projection: Top 10
Age: 19 (6/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.75”, 211 pounds, 7’0.25″
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
I completely understand the trepidation here, as Michael Porter Jr. missed all but three games during the 2017-18 season due to a back injury. He required surgery, which has inevitably birthed the belief that he will continue to experience issues in the NBA.
If the New York Knicks are looking for an All-NBA level talent, however, then they should give serious consideration to trading up for Porter.
Before the injury, Porter was projected as a favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. That’s for good reason, as he has the size to be able to take opponents inside and finish amongst the trees with either power or finesse.
Porter is also an unstoppable force in transition, which should appeal to a Knicks team that ranked No. 29 in the NBA in fast break points per game in 2017-18.
In the half court, Porter can take a defender off the bounce, pull up from midrange, or go to the post. He’s flashed three-point range, as well, which facilitates the comparisons to Paul George, who was recently named All-NBA for the fourth time in his career.
With a trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Porter, and Frank Ntilikina, the Knicks would have three players who can legitimately anchor a future contender.