Michael Porter Jr. could be a risk worth taking for the Hornets if he lasts to the 11th pick, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Porter was among the top recruits in college basketball last year, but a back injury sidelined him for almost the entire season. He underwent surgery to remove a piece of bone that was placing pressure on a nerve and has declared himself to be healthy.
Porter has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant, standing 6’10” with the skills of a small forward. If enough teams are scared off by his medical history, Porter could present new GM Mitch Kupchak with his first major draft decision since coming to Charlotte.
There’s more from Charlotte:
- The Hornets might be willing to ship Kemba Walker to Cleveland in a deal involving the No. 8 pick, but LeBron James‘ uncertain status makes the trade problematic, Bonnell notes in the same story. Dealing Walker, who has one year left on his contract, for a draft choice would help ease Charlotte’s cap situation, but the Cavaliers won’t know until July if James is leaving. The eighth pick becomes extremely valuable if Cleveland is facing a rebuilding project.
- Frank Kaminsky hasn’t done enough in three seasons to convince the Hornets he’s worthy of a long-term investment, Bonnell adds. The ninth pick in the 2015 draft has averaged 10.0 points per game since joining the team, and there are concerns about his rebounding and passing. Bonnell believes Charlotte wouldn’t hesitate to draft another power forward.
- Dwight Howard could be a buyout candidate if he’s still on the roster in February, Bonnell writes in a mailbag column. The veteran center will make more than $23.8MM in the final year of his contract.
- In the same piece, Bonnell puts the odds at 50-50 for free agents Michael Carter-Williams and Treveon Graham to return to the Hornets next season. An abundance of guaranteed contracts for wing players will limit Graham’s opportunity, while Carter-Williams is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he shot a career-low 33% from the field.
The Hornets would love to keep Graham imo. He does everything well although it’s not often flashy.
Would be a miracle if Porter falls to the Hornets. If he does of course they should take him.
Bonnell is an idiot if he thinks Porter Jr. is falling that far. Knicks would grab him, Cavs I’d believe, and I can’t fathom the 76ers passing on him based on their draft history of injured players.
I don’t think Porter Jr gets past Chicago.
Walker on the Cavs with Bron makes a ton of sense, if they could somehow bring in DeAndre Jordan also than the Cavs could be in Boston and Philly territory next season.
You mean the Cavs would decline?
Walker-JR-Bron-Love-Jordan is declining? No way.
Not happening. Why would the hornets do that.
I wouldn’t like to c them get Jordan. I’d rather them get Gasol. Or make smaller moves get Kaminsky and Walker. Try to get Fournier from the Magic. The Cavs need to add basketball IQ and as many Shooters as they can get there hands on. Jordan is basically a taller version of Thompson
“Frank Kaminsky hasn’t done enough in three seasons to convince the Hornets he’s worthy of a long-term investment”. He hasn’t done anything to convince anyone that he was worthy of being the 9th pick in the draft, either.
He’s aztually been decent, he’s had some good shooting nights it’s just he can’t defend to save his life.
Most front offices shoot for more than “decent” with the 9th pick.
Don’t forget Boston offered 4 #1’s for that pick
I don’t c jr as being ah difference maker to the hornets…and if their comparing him to KD ….their crazy…he’s only played Mayb 3 games in college…..he’ll be ah another bust!!!!
MPJ a bust, you kidding right. He will be no more bust thaKD… & without the injury he would probably be the #1 pick. By the way “he only played 3 college games” may actually be good. Kobe, Garnett, T-Mac, Lebron… had 0 college games & did pretty well. College game is pretty low quality, way lower than euroleague, for example.
Why would you trade you everyday, most consistent MVP player, your franchise player, KW for another player maybe not as equal. Howard is another player that makes the Hornets fun to watch. Get rid of the dead wood now! and fill in the missing pieces. The Hornets are so close to being a playoff team. Bringing in a new coach could be the kick start needed. MJ spend some $$ forget about the tax…..