Kevin Porter Jr. is the Scorer the Pistons Need

Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons are coming off of a 41-41 season where they reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Due to their record, the Pistons own the 15th pick in the first round of this years NBA Draft. It goes without question that Detroit is in desperate need of a wing who can create their own scoring.

With an abundance of wings most likely available around the time Detroit picks, the Pistons could look to take Kevin Porter Jr., a 6’6” wing from the University of Southern California.

Porter Jr. enters the 2019 draft after spending only one season at USC where he would appear in 21 games for the Trojans. Over those 21 games, Porter Jr. had averages of 9.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while having a shooting split of 47.1/41.2/52.2.

Although Porter Jr. had an underwhelming season at USC, he still has all the intangibles to become a dominant wing in the modern-day NBA.

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However, Porter Jr.’s jump shot may need some work, as he pushes it from his chest, rather than releases it from above his head.

What intrigues me the most about Porter Jr. though is his ability to create his own shot. During the 2018-19 season, Blake Griffin had the ball in his hands a lot, creating a heavy workload, which in turn resulted in his knee injury at the end of the season. Being able to add a player like Porter Jr. would help Griffin lighten his workload, and spread the ball around the floor a bit more.

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Porter Jr. is going to be a little bit of a work in progress due to his off the court issues, as he was suspended by the Trojans for personal conduct reasons midway through the season. However, Porter Jr. is only 19 years old and could change his off the court attitude.

All in all, Porter Jr. is a very intriguing prospect that, if I were Ed Stefanski, would take a gamble on if he’s available. At 6’6” 218 pounds, Porter Jr. poses as a high risk, high reward player.

Player Comparison: Lonnie Walker IV

Ceiling: James Harden

Floor: James Young

*All stats from sports-reference.com

Featured Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports