Atlanta Hawks: 13 Players Hawks Could Select in 2019 NBA Draft

#12 — Jontay Porter, Sophomore, Missouri

By all accounts, Jontay Porter out of Missouri should be much higher on this list. Because he was only 18 last year when initially tested the waters, many draft experts were quite high on Porter’s immense basketball IQ and his pedigree, which includes last year’s #14 overall pick Michael Porter.

However, it was announced on October 21, 2018 that Porter would miss all of his sophomore season after tearing both his ACL and MCL. Though scouts were still immensely high on Porter’s fit at the next level, it was announced that he tore his ACL again during rehabilitation on March 23, 2019.

This is a deeply disturbing injury and it should give all teams pause heading into the draft. Despite that, look at where his brother was drafted last year. Sure, MPJ might’ve been a more vaunted prospect, but his younger brother Jontay seems to have better feel and more limited athleticism than Michael.

Will teams still be willing to take a chance on Jontay after two consecutive ACL tears? The answer to that question is unknown.

In terms of the Atlanta Hawks, the fit of Porter with the current Hawks backcourt of the future (Trae Young, Kevin Huerter) as well as John Collins would be fairly seamless. A solid outside shooter with size (a true 7-footer with neutral wingspan), Porter would be an excellent weapon alongside Young in the pick-and-roll, or he could space out to the three-point line for pick-and-pop scenarios.

Perhaps drafting Porter is still in the cards, but he would’ve been much higher on this list if not for the rash of injuries this season.