Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 players to target with Nets pick in 2018 NBA Draft

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 08: Luka Doncic (R) of Real Madrid and his teammate Guillermo Hernangomez (L) goes up for a rebound during the friendlies of the NBA Global Games 2015 basketball match between Real Madrid and Boston Celtics at Barclaycard Center on October 8, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

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1. Michael Porter Jr., SG, Missouri

Depending which recruiting you site you covet, some have listed 6-foot-10 small forward Michael Porter as the best recruit in the 2017 class.

He surprised everyone by committing to Missouri, because Mizzou isn’t exactly a hotbed for potential NBA superstars.

DraftExpress.com projects Porter to be the No. 1 pick when NBA commish Adam Silver walks to the podium next summer, and why wouldn’t they.

He’s long, athletic. Can create his own shot and knock down jumpers from the outside. Want to send him down low into the post? He can do that do, too. If he’s not leading college basketball in scoring this season, he’ll be in the top five.

Obviously, the kids measurables, along with the position have you thinking Kevin Durant. Obviously, a lofty comparison, but when you’re talking nuts and bolts, Durant’s a good starting point.

Having a great wing player may be just as important as having a franchise quarterback in the NFL. That’s at least been true for the Cleveland Cavaliers for as long as LeBron James has been in the NBA.

With James at small forward, the Cavs are perennial contenders. Without him, they’re a lottery team, and there hasn’t been an in-between.

Does James stay or leave after this season? NBA pundits will debate it all season. However, adding Porter will either pair James with an athletic marvel for the rest of James’ career, or Porter could pick up the torch LeBron leaves behind.

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