New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Mock Draft, Sweet 16 edition

Age: 18
Height, Weight: 6-foot-6, 218 pounds
Slash Line: .471/.412/..522
Season Averages: 9.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.3 3PM

The upside from Kevin Porter Jr. was apparent immediately. He opened the season with 14.0 points on 53.8 percent shooting and 35.0 percent on three-pointers. The scoring ability showed and lottery potential seemed possible.

However, Porter received an indefinite suspension in his freshman campaign at USC due to conduct issues. An injury followed and further hampered his run.

It was a disappointing set of events for the 18-year-old, who could have gone higher if not for these issues. Maybe that still happens, with the draft process yet to arrive, but somewhere from 15-to-25 seems reasonable, pending he enters the 2019 NBA Draft.

With three first-round picks, the Boston Celtics can afford to gamble on Porter. No. 18 might not stay, either, if they make offseason trades to shake up a disappointing year, but with three first-round picks in 2019, it’s reasonable for at least one of them to stay.

Porter adds to Boston’s already-existing issues, but he’s young and can be coached by Brad Stevens. General manager Danny Ainge usually makes the most of draft value, so gambling here is logical.

Maybe five months ago, Porter would have been a candidate for the New York Knicks. Now, that’s obviously no longer the case.