Section 215
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2015 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kristaps Porzingis

By Somers Price

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Final Verdict: 

Those of us without access to the types of resources NBA General Managers have at their disposal often fear the unknown when it comes to draft prospects. College players like Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns are shoved in our faces and we tend to latch on to familiarity. Admittedly, there was a time in the past month or so where I envisioned a scenario where the Sixers drafted Kristaps Porzingis and cringed a bit. This was very much an instance of the aforementioned concept clouding my rationale.

That’s not to say I don’t think Porzingis is a risk. For all we know, he’ll file in with the other Dirk Nowitzki wannabes over the years and cost some team years worth of criticism and a prime selection in a relatively talent-rich lottery. In the case of the Sixers, it all goes back to their philosophy when it comes to team-building. Superstar players don’t want to sign in Philadelphia as free agents and teams aren’t chomping at the bit to trade away their elite players. The only way to emerge from mediocrity is to try to draft a player who projects as a superstar.

With that in mind, paired with the news regarding Embiid, Kristaps Porzingis has become a very real option for the Sixers with the 3rd overall pick. Porzingis suddenly has teams clamoring for an opportunity to draft him and, with the Timberwolves and Lakers likely opting for college prospects, Sam Hinkie SHOULD have the first crack at taking him. He might be as familiar with Porzingis’s game beyond the workouts as anyone with influence in the draft. I would go as far as saying there might not be a more likely pick for the Sixers at number three than Kristaps Porzingis.

Next: Could LeBron James Have Made 76ers Elite in East?

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