Atlanta Hawks Mock Draft After the Trade Deadline
By Chris Guest
#12 Jontay Porter
Jontay Porter out of Missouri had initially planned to join the draft with his brother Michael Porter Jr., and the younger Porter was already slated as a near-lottery pick in the 2018 Draft.
Fast-forward one year, and Porter suffered a torn ACL in the preseason and has missed the entirety of this season as he prepares for the 2019 NBA Draft.
Amazing feel, high basketball IQ, great passing vision and a silky-smooth three-point jumper typify the Atlanta Hawks’ case for taking Porter despite his injury suffered in the preseason. As other teams will see with Darius Garland, a major injury does very little to affect a prospect’s value in the draft – unless the medicals come back not as rosy as expected.
Defensively, there are definitely question marks, which are mostly related to his athleticism. Though fairly quick, he tends to get lost on the perimeter and NBA guards would most likely roast him at the next level without the right coaching.
None of that should matter for the Hawks. With Porter in the fold as a sweet-shooting near-seven-footer who can pick-and-pop, initiate offense in the high post, read defenses in transition and score efficiently around the basket due to quick feet and soft hands, Atlanta’s young core would get yet another boost to its already strong foundation.