The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: The Draft Lottery is Set

By Kohl Rast

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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4. 211. . . SF. Michael Porter Jr.

MANNY: Michael Porter Jr. is going to bring the Memphis Grizzlies back to relevance in the Western Conference. That’s right, you read it here first. Porter Jr. is pound-for-pound the best offensive prospect entering the NBA next season. Many have compared his game to another young talent, Jayson Tatum, with Porter Jr. being the more athletic of the two.

Personally, I can see his offensive ceiling resembling that of a Hall of Famer like Tracy McGrady. Let me explain why this potential marriage between Memphis and Porter Jr. makes so much sense. Since relocating to Memphis in the ’01-02 season, Memphis has failed to average 100 points per game 13 times.

NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Further more, the last time the Grizzlies had a player average 21 points or more per game (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, 23, ’98-99), they were still in Vancouver. Suffice it to say, this organization needs a shot in the arm on the offensive end. MPJ fits the bill in that capacity. One knock against him is his effort on defense.

I can argue that going to Memphis will help mask his defensive deficiencies. Playing alongside Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol, two of the best defenders at their respective positions, allows Porter Jr. to focus on his strengths.

Memphis will finally have its go-to guy, which has sorely been needed, especially in recent playoffs stints. As far as his injury concerns, Porter Jr. has gone on record stating his confidence in his rehab process, and says he’s at 100 percent. This pairing is too good to pass up.

Next: Dallas Mavericks