Hoops Habit
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: 2019 NBA Draft grades

By Tony Pesta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Darius Garland poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Darius Garland poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
(Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 30 pick: Kevin Porter Jr.

Perhaps the biggest steal of the 2019 NBA Draft, Kevin Porter Jr. fell all the way to the bottom of the first round. This pick was made possible by a deal in which the Cleveland Cavaliers sent four second round picks to the Detroit Pistons.

The Cavaliers made this move with one goal in mind: drafting Porter. In his freshman season for USC, Porter averaged 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in just 22.1 minutes per game. His athletic ability made him stick out as a valuable prospect, while his smooth handle and potential to be a deadly 3-point shooter makes him a great addition to the Cavaliers.

At 6’6″, Porter is comfortable playing the guard or forward position. His jumping ability will match that of the NBA’s greatest leapers and he’s already shown to be a strong finisher around the rim with either hand. His shooting will be the biggest question mark around his game, but a 41.2 percent clip from deep in his freshman season is an encouraging sign. He also has some improvement to do in terms of playmaking, but this will hopefully be fixed once he receives NBA-level coaching.

In the end, Porter might be the most all-around talented player the Cavaliers have drafted this year. While Darius Garland is a gifted offensive prospect and Dylan Windler is a deadly shooter, neither of them have the same potential two-way impact of Porter. If he uses his athleticism and talent to its full extent, this pick will be remembered as one of the all-time great steals.

Grade: A+

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers