Disclaimer: This piece does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
PF, Latvia, 19 years old
7’1", 230 lbs
Stats In 2014-15 (with Sevilla)
50 games, 27 starts, 21.4 MPG, 11 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 49.6 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 75.2 FT%
Eurocup Rising Star Trophy
Where He’ll Go In The Draft:
Porzingis could find himself drafted in the top-3. He’s not expected to fall outside of the top-10.
It’s hard to believe that Porzingis looked like a top-15 pick in last year’s draft… as an 18-year-old!
Now he’s 19 and after a year of developing and playing with Sevilla, Porzingis looks like he could be a top-5 pick.
Scouts say Porzingis can be great, but great at what exactly? A variety of things that for a 7’1” guy that we’ve never seen before. He’s got great length and obviously height, but it’s the skills combined that makes him such a special prospect.
His most notable skill is his pure shot. He has great mechanics, long range and a quick release. Added on top of that, he’s almost impossible to guard because of his height.
He’s also an above-average dribbler for his size if he’s going straight to the basket. He’s not much of a passer and really has no desire to go inside the paint. That might change once Porzingis bulks up, something he’ll absolutely need to do.
Defensively, he shows promise. He’s quick and is able to switch on the run. Like most 19-year-olds, he gets lost mentally and checks out a little bit.
The biggest concern with Porzingis is whether or not his skills can translate in a full 5-on-5 game. He had trouble with that with Sevilla. He can light it up on the court in front of a room of scouts, but he’ll need to prove he can do it with some of the world’s best athletes on the court with him.
Ratke's Take
This dude seems to be climbing in the draft every single day. And it’s not really a surprise given how much he might be able to do in the NBA. He can shoot. Great mechanics. He's solid defensively. He runs like a deer. At 7’1”, few defenders will be able to contest his shot. There’s a lot about Porzingis that reminds me of Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki. Neither have much interest in banging with bigger players, but with Nowitzki’s skill set, he doesn’t have to.
With Porzingis, you keep hearing the words “potential” and “ceiling” when it comes to him. Words like that are great for prospects, but maybe not as great for international prospects that might not be as proven as players coming out after their freshman year of college.
I have a hard time believing Porzingis will be a mediocre player in the NBA. For him, I think it’s either boom or bust, which is a scary risk for a team drafting him in the top-five. This is a move that gets a GM either an extension or fired.
Twitter Talk
Quotable
“They’re going to see what I call the tantalizing, long-term potential of Kristaps Porzingis, who is a 19-year-old, almost 7’2” power forward who can shoot threes and defend the rim. But he’s a couple of years away strength-wise. But I’m telling you, he’s in the same long-term potential range as both (Karl-Anthony) Towns and (Jahlil) Okafor.” – ESPN college basketball analyst on the potential of Kristaps Porzingis.