Jontay Porter

[Catchall]

Do people think he can play at the 4 next to a rim-protecting big? He's not a great defender, but doesn't seem like he'll get killed out on the floor. I like him for the Jazz, but he'd obviously need to play next to Rudy Gobert to get major minutes.

[GimmeDat]

Do people think he can play at the 4 next to a rim-protecting big? He's not a great defender, but doesn't seem like he'll get killed out on the floor. I like him for the Jazz, but he'd obviously need to play next to Rudy Gobert to get major minutes.

I would say it's not ideal. Jontay's main issue is defending in space and you're getting him to do it more in this situation. Of course Utah have elite defense so you can cover for a liability more-so, but still, I don't think it's a great role for him. He's nearly 6'11 and he can rim protect and handle bigger guys, I think he's much more serviceable at the 5.

[doordoor123]

Do people think he can play at the 4 next to a rim-protecting big? He's not a great defender, but doesn't seem like he'll get killed out on the floor. I like him for the Jazz, but he'd obviously need to play next to Rudy Gobert to get major minutes.

I would say it's not ideal. Jontay's main issue is defending in space and you're getting him to do it more in this situation. Of course Utah have elite defense so you can cover for a liability more-so, but still, I don't think it's a great role for him. He's nearly 6'11 and he can rim protect and handle bigger guys, I think he's much more serviceable at the 5.

He can easily play with someone who can slide on the wing though, like Cauley-Stein or Noel.

[Catchall]

Do people think he can play at the 4 next to a rim-protecting big? He's not a great defender, but doesn't seem like he'll get killed out on the floor. I like him for the Jazz, but he'd obviously need to play next to Rudy Gobert to get major minutes.

I would say it's not ideal. Jontay's main issue is defending in space and you're getting him to do it more in this situation. Of course Utah have elite defense so you can cover for a liability more-so, but still, I don't think it's a great role for him. He's nearly 6'11 and he can rim protect and handle bigger guys, I think he's much more serviceable at the 5.

If we're looking at the defensive side of the ball, I would argue that his lack of verticality and rim protection makes him less ideal at the 5. I see him as a guy who can get 8 rebounds, maybe 1 block -- enough to be a help defender -- but I wouldn't play him extended minutes for the Jazz without someone else protecting the rim.

As a Bulls fan, what do you think of Markkanen playing at the 4 next to a paint defender like Robin Lopez?

[Chinook]

Sounds like a good fit for the Spurs at 18.

[GimmeDat]

Do people think he can play at the 4 next to a rim-protecting big? He's not a great defender, but doesn't seem like he'll get killed out on the floor. I like him for the Jazz, but he'd obviously need to play next to Rudy Gobert to get major minutes.

I would say it's not ideal. Jontay's main issue is defending in space and you're getting him to do it more in this situation. Of course Utah have elite defense so you can cover for a liability more-so, but still, I don't think it's a great role for him. He's nearly 6'11 and he can rim protect and handle bigger guys, I think he's much more serviceable at the 5.

If we're looking at the defensive side of the ball, I would argue that his lack of verticality and rim protection makes him less ideal at the 5. I see him as a guy who can get 8 rebounds, maybe 1 block -- enough to be a help defender -- but I wouldn't play him extended minutes for the Jazz without someone else protecting the rim.

As a Bulls fan, what do you think of Markkanen playing at the 4 next to a paint defender like Robin Lopez?

It's an interesting one for us for a bunch of reasons. The Bulls were a solid rebounding team despite RoLo/Lauri being a low rebounding tandem, I think it's because we had a lot of big rebounding wings like Valentine and Nwaba, a guy like RoLo boxes guys out to let others get boards, and we had other rebounding bigs like Portis, Vonleh and Felicio. In that element of the game, I would like a bigger rebounder at C, but I also don't think it'll kill us.

As for defense, Lopez took a bit of a dip as a rim protector this season, not sure why exactly, and I think a guy like Jontay would be a bit more mobile in space than he is. I think because Lauri isn't a big shot blocker, I would like to see someone a bit more dynamic at the 5 (I'm rooting for Bamba @ #6).

RoLo in particular helped Lauri a ton though because he was unselfish and was a great screener who helped get Lauri open on a lot of sets.

I'm interested to see what Jontay's block numbers are like in the NBA, obviously the lack of length, athleticism and speed in helping over will hurt him, but he still had 3.7 blocks per 40 at Missouri. Especially if he improves the body and potentially even grows a tiny bit more, I think he could be a decent rim protector in the NBA.

[doordoor123]

I would say it's not ideal. Jontay's main issue is defending in space and you're getting him to do it more in this situation. Of course Utah have elite defense so you can cover for a liability more-so, but still, I don't think it's a great role for him. He's nearly 6'11 and he can rim protect and handle bigger guys, I think he's much more serviceable at the 5.

If we're looking at the defensive side of the ball, I would argue that his lack of verticality and rim protection makes him less ideal at the 5. I see him as a guy who can get 8 rebounds, maybe 1 block -- enough to be a help defender -- but I wouldn't play him extended minutes for the Jazz without someone else protecting the rim.

As a Bulls fan, what do you think of Markkanen playing at the 4 next to a paint defender like Robin Lopez?

It's an interesting one for us for a bunch of reasons. The Bulls were a solid rebounding team despite RoLo/Lauri being a low rebounding tandem, I think it's because we had a lot of big rebounding wings like Valentine and Nwaba, a guy like RoLo boxes guys out to let others get boards, and we had other rebounding bigs like Portis, Vonleh and Felicio. In that element of the game, I would like a bigger rebounder at C, but I also don't think it'll kill us.

As for defense, Lopez took a bit of a dip as a rim protector this season, not sure why exactly, and I think a guy like Jontay would be a bit more mobile in space than he is. I think because Lauri isn't a big shot blocker, I would like to see someone a bit more dynamic at the 5 (I'm rooting for Bamba @ #6).

RoLo in particular helped Lauri a ton though because he was unselfish and was a great screener who helped get Lauri open on a lot of sets.

I'm interested to see what Jontay's block numbers are like in the NBA, obviously the lack of length, athleticism and speed in helping over will hurt him, but he still had 3.7 blocks per 40 at Missouri. Especially if he improves the body and potentially even grows a tiny bit more, I think he could be a decent rim protector in the NBA.

I am 100% sure Robin Lopez is gone next year. The Bulls were tanking this year. They want their starting 5 to be young and athletic. Markkanen will be a center when they’re actually trying to win and they actually play better when he starts at center.

[GimmeDat]

If we're looking at the defensive side of the ball, I would argue that his lack of verticality and rim protection makes him less ideal at the 5. I see him as a guy who can get 8 rebounds, maybe 1 block -- enough to be a help defender -- but I wouldn't play him extended minutes for the Jazz without someone else protecting the rim.

As a Bulls fan, what do you think of Markkanen playing at the 4 next to a paint defender like Robin Lopez?

It's an interesting one for us for a bunch of reasons. The Bulls were a solid rebounding team despite RoLo/Lauri being a low rebounding tandem, I think it's because we had a lot of big rebounding wings like Valentine and Nwaba, a guy like RoLo boxes guys out to let others get boards, and we had other rebounding bigs like Portis, Vonleh and Felicio. In that element of the game, I would like a bigger rebounder at C, but I also don't think it'll kill us.

As for defense, Lopez took a bit of a dip as a rim protector this season, not sure why exactly, and I think a guy like Jontay would be a bit more mobile in space than he is. I think because Lauri isn't a big shot blocker, I would like to see someone a bit more dynamic at the 5 (I'm rooting for Bamba @ #6).

RoLo in particular helped Lauri a ton though because he was unselfish and was a great screener who helped get Lauri open on a lot of sets.

I'm interested to see what Jontay's block numbers are like in the NBA, obviously the lack of length, athleticism and speed in helping over will hurt him, but he still had 3.7 blocks per 40 at Missouri. Especially if he improves the body and potentially even grows a tiny bit more, I think he could be a decent rim protector in the NBA.

I am 100% sure Robin Lopez is gone next year. The Bulls were tanking this year. They want their starting 5 to be young and athletic. Markkanen will be a center when they’re actually trying to win and they actually play better when he starts at center.

People are split on that one. He actually defended in space much better than I expected, he can really move with PF's, he played most of his minutes there and did so effectively. My belief coming out of college was that he'd be a C long term just due to the size an defensive fit, I think in reality, after watching him for a season, he'll probably split minutes between front-court spots in his prime.

But yeah, I could care less about RoLo. He's a good vet and a very solid player, but he doesn't fit our timeline. He expires in 2019, we probably let him expire, or in particular if we draft a C at either pick, we could move him at the deadline.

[doordoor123]

It's an interesting one for us for a bunch of reasons. The Bulls were a solid rebounding team despite RoLo/Lauri being a low rebounding tandem, I think it's because we had a lot of big rebounding wings like Valentine and Nwaba, a guy like RoLo boxes guys out to let others get boards, and we had other rebounding bigs like Portis, Vonleh and Felicio. In that element of the game, I would like a bigger rebounder at C, but I also don't think it'll kill us.

As for defense, Lopez took a bit of a dip as a rim protector this season, not sure why exactly, and I think a guy like Jontay would be a bit more mobile in space than he is. I think because Lauri isn't a big shot blocker, I would like to see someone a bit more dynamic at the 5 (I'm rooting for Bamba @ #6).

RoLo in particular helped Lauri a ton though because he was unselfish and was a great screener who helped get Lauri open on a lot of sets.

I'm interested to see what Jontay's block numbers are like in the NBA, obviously the lack of length, athleticism and speed in helping over will hurt him, but he still had 3.7 blocks per 40 at Missouri. Especially if he improves the body and potentially even grows a tiny bit more, I think he could be a decent rim protector in the NBA.

I am 100% sure Robin Lopez is gone next year. The Bulls were tanking this year. They want their starting 5 to be young and athletic. Markkanen will be a center when they’re actually trying to win and they actually play better when he starts at center.

People are split on that one. He actually defended in space much better than I expected, he can really move with PF's, he played most of his minutes there and did so effectively. My belief coming out of college was that he'd be a C long term just due to the size an defensive fit, I think in reality, after watching him for a season, he'll probably split minutes between front-court spots in his prime.

But yeah, I could care less about RoLo. He's a good vet and a very solid player, but he doesn't fit our timeline. He expires in 2019, we probably let him expire, or in particular if we draft a C at either pick, we could move him at the deadline.

They’ve been trying to move him for the past year. I think they finally trade him this offseason while he only has 1 year left on his contract. They’re not going to want to give him minutes this year because they’ll want to play younger players more and they dedicated money to Felico and they have Portis/Vonleh who need minutes.

[Catchall]

So the consensus seems to be that Porter is better at the 5? I actually think his defensive awareness and mobility make him passable guarding out on the floor. He's not a wingstopper, but I think he can contain on the perimeter as well as, say, Kelly Olynyk.

[MemphisX]

He’s going to be a 4 when he gets in shape. A damn good one. Taller Markieff Morris type without the crazy shot selection.

[King Ken]

He's a NBA 5 for me. I do not see Jokic tho. I see it some on offense but clearly not as a passer. Jokic the best passing big I've seen.

[Catchall]

He’s going to be a 4 when he gets in shape. A damn good one. Taller Markieff Morris type without the crazy shot selection.

Much better passer than Markieff, btw. I want to believe he can be a 4, but he's going to need to work on his body and defensive discipline.

[cashmachine]

He's a NBA 5 for me. I do not see Jokic tho. I see it some on offense but clearly not as a passer. Jokic the best passing big I've seen.

Porter is an above average passing big man IMO. Maybe not Jokic, but he's a good passer none the less.

[Catchall]

Well, he's big. He's going to be 7-ft, 250 lbs., so yeah, he's probably a center now.

[babyjax13]

He’s going to be a 4 when he gets in shape. A damn good one. Taller Markieff Morris type without the crazy shot selection.

I agree with this. He's so young, his body just needs to catch up, especially when he has grown to the size he is.

[nolang1]

Well, he's big. He's going to be 7-ft, 250 lbs., so yeah, he's probably a center now.

Only a 7'0.25" wingspan, and his whole appeal is supposed to be that he's the chunkiest player in the draft and maybe his athleticism will catch up with his skill level if he loses weight.

[doordoor123]

He’s a developmental player for one year, he needs to be in much better shape to play in the NBA and when he loses that weight I think he’s a power forward. I’m actually really excited about Porter because he could have unbelievable upside once he loses the weight.

[Duke4life831]

I just dont see it with him. Average size but not great, average shooter but not great, good passer but not great, average rebounder but not great, bad body and bad athleticism. Dont get me wrong Im not saying hes going to be out of the league in 2 years, but I also dont see a starter either. You need an out of this world skill set to make a big impact with the physical tools that he has and Im not seeing that skill set. I think he becomes a solid big off the bench, but not much more.

[cashmachine]

His body is what worries me. His skillset fits right in with Utah, especially next to Gobert, but he has to get that body right if he's gonna last in the NBA.