Los Angeles Lakers: Early look at realistic NBA Draft options at No. 25

Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri

At this moment, Jontay Porter’s stock is all over the place. I’ve seen him mocked as high as the late lottery, or as low as the beginning of the second round. Pre-draft workouts could dictate his eventual value, but the potential is there for him to slide into the mid-20s come draft day.

The brother of surefire lottery pick Michael Porter Jr., the younger Porter quietly made a name for himself as a freshman big man for Missouri. While his big bro was busy rehabbing from a back injury, he was proving that the talent kept trickling down the family tree.

Despite his 6’11”, 240-pound frame, Porter shows plus athleticism for his size. He’s also a quality shooter from just about anywhere on the floor, giving him some upside as a stretch big man who can occasionally drain it from distance. Especially with Brook Lopez potentially parting, Porter offers the potential to take over his role as the floor-stretching big.

So why is he likely to be available at No. 25? Well, he’s an unpolished prospect who still has a number of areas that must improve. His defense was inconsistent at best, and he tends to play out of control. As promising of a talent as Porter is, he’s still a project at this early stage in his basketball career.

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Project or not, Porter could shine sooner rather than later. He surprised during his freshman year at Missouri, and could do the same in the NBA. At the worst, he’s solid depth who can kill it in the G League before earning a prominent role as a sophomore.