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2018 NBA Draft: Chaires’s New York Knicks Mock Draft 1.0

By Justin Chaires

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Michael Porter Jr #13 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Michael Porter Jr #13 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 08: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 08: Jontay Porter #11 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 37 – F/C Jontay Porter, Missouri, Freshman

Height: 6’11 | Weight: 240 | Age: 18
Stats: 9.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 APG

Jontay Porter is the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr. However, he may not be as polished an offensive scorer as his brother. He brings with him a strong upside and is a steal in the early second round. Though strongly forgotten about because of his older brother, Jontay possesses the length and athletic ability to be a great big man in the league. Not only is he 18 years old (meaning he is still growing) but at 6’11, he will grow to be the perfect running mate for Porzingis.

Luke Kornet has established himself as the poor man’s KP but Jontay can bring a little toughness to a position that hasn’t seen much of it in years. With his rebounding and level of strength sure to continue to rise with his age, the Knicks find a great bargain by way of their first pick’s brother and put themselves in a great position to be competitive early and continue building block by block.

Why another Porter?

With the removal of Willy Hernangomez and the likely release of Joakim Noah as well as the probability of Enes Kanter opting out of his contract, Kyle O’Quinn (who’s not leaving yet) and Luke Kornet will be the only ones left to play the center position. Without the “logjam”, Jontay will have a chance to grow into the center position the right way.

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