2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 3.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #8 & #10 After Lottery
By Chris Guest
#21. Oklahoma City Thunder — Kevin Porter
This is a rather shocking fall for one of the most highly regarded guard prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft class, but this is how the draft board shook out. Though many outlets, including Red Team Scouting (who think KPJ will go in the Top 8), believe that Kevin Porter will go higher than this, the Thunder will be happy to have an offensive creator off the bench.
Though erstwhile Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schröder was supposed to be the team’s go-to scoring option off the bench to spell Russell Westbrook, the Thunder got to see up-close how tantalizingly ineffectual Schröder is on a night-to-night basis.
With this pick, the Thunder will be able to nab a player that fits General Manager Sam Presti’s goal of attaining stunningly athletic players at every position. Though questions abound about Porter’s shot selection, there can be no equivocation about his sterling athletic profile.
A power finisher around the rim with immense strength finishing through contact, Porter has a terrific frame for a two guard: 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, 6-foot-10 wingspan with a rippling physique that should turn the heads of many execs around the league.
Beyond Paul George, the Thunder need an injection of dynamic offense – something that Porter can surely provide.