2019 NBA Draft Class: Jontay Porter's Strengths and Weaknesses

Jontay Porter is probably the least likely lottery pick expected in the 2019 NBA Draft. It is not because of size since he has that and it's not because of talent because he can play basketball. The question is his health. Porter will miss this collegiate season due to tearing both the ACL and MCL in his leg back in October of 2018.

It is bad luck because Porter could have declared for the NBA Draft in June of 2018 but chose to return to the University of Missouri for his sophomore year. He becomes an unlikely lottery pick because most NBA franchises would not take that risk.

There is actually precedent for Porter still getting drafted, but he could fall to a team in the late first round or even second round of the draft.

Historically, Porter does not need to look too far as to why his situation is not dire provided he does recover from this injury. At the 2018 draft, his brother Michael Porter Jr. was drafted 14th overall by the Denver Nuggets after a back injury and surgery.

The Nuggets benefited due to interest in Michael having declined from a potential first overall pick to just outside the lottery, but he has not played a single NBA minute. In 2013, the New Orleans Pelicans drafted Nerlens Noel with the sixth overall and then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Noel did not play his rookie season.

The Toronto Raptors drafted O.G. Anunoby 23rd overall in June of 2017 after Anunoby suffered a season-ending knee injury that required surgery in April of 2017, however, he has been solid during his young NBA career.

If Jontay can recover well from his injury all is not lost. He is a 6’11 240 pound centre who averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in 33 games for Missouri last season. While much will depend on his recovery, expect Porter to get drafted late first round even though NBADRAFT.net lists him as the potential 11th pick in June of 2019.

Let us now assess the strengths and weaknesses of Jontay Porter.

Strengths

Porter is still ranked as a mid-first round pick

Jontay Porter can defend. Whether its one on one, help defence, defensive rebounding or shot-blocking, Porter is solid at the defensive end of the court. He is helped by good athleticism and good footwork. During the 2017-18 season at Missouri, he averaged 1.7 blocks and 6.8 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game.

He shot over 36 percent last season from behind the arc which is fairly good. It will help any NBA franchise spacing the floor at the offensive end. Porter has good post skills and the size to establish position down low.

Porter is also a good interior passer. When setting picks, whether he rolls or pops, Porter is able to finish plays inside or out. He is also capable of putting the ball on the floor and creating his own shot out on the perimeter. Essentially, Porter has a complete game. He does many things well at both ends of the floor.

Weaknesses

Porter can be used as a stretch-four in the NBA

It is a shame that he got hurt and is out for this season. It would be great to see if he could have improved his three-point shooting. Also, he was not a dominant offensive factor last season for Missouri only scoring 20 or more points twice and averaging just 9.9 points per game. He also played 24.5 minutes a game so questions exist about stamina and fitness.

As mentioned, he can create shots off of his dribble but does not necessarily seek out those options. He may want to be more aggressive using his ball-handling skills. Porter has decent quickness.

It will be intriguing to see if he can attend pre-draft workouts for NBA teams in May of 2019 to see where his lateral quickness and speed are at after tears to both his ACL and MCL. If Porter is not quick enough or cannot perform at pre-draft workouts, the question is will he return to Missouri for the third year and work his way back into shape or risk his stock dropping by declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft?

It's risky but not unheard of for an NBA team to take a chance on an injury-plagued prospect. However, the NBA has a long history of big men who fall apart before they really ever get their careers going.

Players like Greg Oden, Andrew Bynum, Todd MacCulloch and even Yao Ming are a few examples. It’s a long list of big men who have had their careers cut short due to injury especially to their legs.

Teams like Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, and the Cleveland Cavaliers among other teams will be looking to add a prospect that can help right away and Porter’s injury might scare some General Managers away.

Porter could return to Missouri next year and continue developing his game and getting in basketball shape after the injury. He risks a free fall in his value in June which not only affects ego ann draft position but paycheck as well.