2018 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: The case for Michael Porter Jr.

The Orlando Magic desperately need to find a star. As they weigh their options at the sixth pick, Michael Porter Jr. may be the best bet at finding one.

Michael Porter Jr. could very well be the best player available when the Orlando Magic are picking sixth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft on Thursday. He undoubtedly has the talent and skill — even recovering from the back injury that cost him his entire freshman season with the Missouri Tigers.

Porter might be the most polarizing player in the draft. He was the second-ranked recruit according to ESPN’s top 100 coming out of high school. But Porter injured his back two minutes into his first college game.

He underwent surgery on a microdiscectomy of the L3-L4 spinal discs. He missed the majority of his freshman year.

But Porter fought back and played the final two games of his college career. He averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game those two showings. They are from eye-popping numbers, but Porter showed enough in those two games.

He said he was at only 70 percent and not fully healthy. But Porter showed the ability to create his own shot, rebound at a high level and the willingness to put his team on his back.

Porter showed the ability to create his own offense too. That was one of the biggest attributes he had coming out of high school to so many accolades.

At 6-foot-11 with guard handles, he can dribble the length of the court, pull up and hit a jumper. Porter is also crafty and has above-the-rim athletic ability when fully healthy. He is the closest comparison to Kevin Durant coming out of college since the “Slim Reaper” arrived in 2007.

Surprisingly, Porter was a dominant rebounder when he came back from injury. He grabbed 10 boards against the Florida State Seminoles in the NCAA Tournament. Despite his lack of bulk at just 211 pounds, he was willing to get inside the post and get dirty.

Porter has room to put on additional weight on his 6-foot-11 frame.

Some questioned whether he should have come back and risk hurting his back and draft stock. But Porter said all the right things. He fought to get back and do what he could to help his team. He loves the game of basketball and wanted to help his team win.

Even though he had not played a game three months, Porter wanted to have the ball in his hands down the stretch to help his team win. And he was still Missouri’s best option, even in his limited minutes.

Porter may very well be the best overall player in the draft. He has said that all along during the draft process and there are plenty of supporters to back him up.

The talent is clearly there. He may not have been able to play at that high level in his year at Missouri. Injuries can slow a player down. But at his best, Porter is a runaway offensive option who will cut through defenses and score at a high volume.

Porter was projected to be the No.1 pick going into the 2017 college basketball season. If a team can overlook the injury concerns, and Porter recent scare with a strained hip and canceling his second pro-day workout, then they may draft a superstar.

The Magic desperately need a superstar. That very well may come in the package of a tall, lengthy forward with guard-like athleticism.

Porter, without question, can play the small forward position in the NBA. He can be that go-to scorer the Magic need on the perimeter.

Porter can play alongside Aaron Gordon at power forward position and Jonathan Isaac (If he continues to develop physically) at the center position. It at the very least creates a trio of long wings who can switch any perimeter position with ease.

The Magic have been at the bottom of the NBA for the last six years and cannot afford to draft on need. They need the best player available. That is Porter.

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