NBA Draft: Who is Kristaps Porzingis

Final Take

The talent is undoubtedly there.

Porzingis has all the skills, size, athleticism and everything you would want to believe he can do everything that is advertised. The international game is just so different though and the exposure is so much lower that there still remains mystery. And a cultural gap to divide.

He does not fit the cultural gap problem. He has been preparing for this opportunity for a year since he pulled his name out of last year’s Draft.

Back then, he was a mid-Lottery pick. Now he is a top-five guy. He has clearly improved and convinced at least enough scouts to move him up draft boards. The composite of skills he has does not usually come in that body.

In today’s NBA, he seems to be the perfect fit. Athleticism and shooting in a big body. If things all fall into place, he could be that kind of transcendent talent.

Things rarely all fall into place that perfectly.

Still, Porzingis has plenty of skills to fall back on should he not become that superstar. More than that, he fits a need with the Magic. They need a floor spacer and a power forward with some athleticism and rim-protecting ability, someone who can slide quickly over and protect the basket.

The worries about his weight and strength can be alleviated with time and work. There is no reason to think Porzingis cannot accomplish that. It just comes down to biology if it happens. And he is young enough to continue developing and improving his weaknesses.

Porzingis is a high-reward draft pick if he turns out good. At five, that is really what you want. And, in the short term, he seems to have at least one NBA-level skill to make him valuable immediately. Something the Magic should be looking at intently.

Next: Kristaps Porzingis linked to Magic in many mock drafts