A look at most number 2 draft picks over the last 10 years suggests that teams aren’t usually happy with what they get,and the Charlotte Bobcats aren’t much different, hoping to both get Otto Porter in the upcoming NBA draft while thinking about trading away Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Kidd-Gilchrist was the number 2 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but didn’t have a dreamy rookie season, averaging 9 points and 5.8 rebounds on 26 minutes a night, starting in 77 games. He made the All-Rookie second team, but it’s fair to say the Bobcats thought they’d get more out of this pick.
But Kidd-Gilchrist not being an offensive juggernaut, especially right off the bat, shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. He wasn’t explosive in college. He’s athletic and varied in his ability to contribute, he’s a good defender, but doesn’t do anything specific on the court exceptionally well, especially not so early in his NBA career.
The current predictions suggest that Nerlens Noel goes first, while the Orlando Magic pick either Victor Oladipo or Ben McLemore and the Washington Wizards going with Anthony Bennett. That would suggest Otto Porter slides to number four, and if the Bobcats are about taking the best player, and not by position, Porter should be their man.
But Kidd-Gilchrist and Porter on the same team? They’re both small forwards, only Porter seems to be better, at least potentially, than Kidd-Gilchrist, in pretty much every aspect, not to mention being considered a more NBA-ready player right now leaving Georgetown than Kidd-Gilchrist was when he departed from Kentucky.
If Porter does become the 4th pick in the NBA draft, the Bobcats will try and and move Kidd-Gilchrist, knowing that keeping both of them on the same team will hinder their development, and be a pretty big waste considering Kidd-Gilchrist can get them something valuable as the Bobcats try to slowly make their way up from the NBA’s cellar.