Otto Porter Jr.’s shooting will unlock new dimension for Warriors offense
The Golden State Warriors didn’t get Kevin Durant back with the addition of former top-three pick Otto Porter Jr., but they did get a competent three-point threat that will help improve their offense quite a bit.
Porter Jr.’s already shown that he can hit from deep, and his ability to do just that will strengthen the Warriors’ already dynamic offense. An offense that thrives off spacing, Porter Jr. will fit in perfectly.
The Golden State Warriors signed Otto Porter Jr. this offseason for the veteran’s minimum, and it may be one of the most underrated additions in the entire NBA.
The Warriors averaged the most assists per game in the NBA last season.
They shared the ball frequently, led by three-time All-Star forward Draymond Green. Green’s shooting decline has increased his involvement in the halfcourt. He’s transitioned into more of a high-IQ, pass-first forward, oftentimes operating the offense as the point guard.
That half-court offense is aided by spacing, something the Warriors didn’t have much of last season. They made sure not to enter this season without it, signing shooters like Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica.
Porter Jr. is a career 40.2 percent three-point shooter, maxing out at 44.1 percent for a single season best. He’s in elite company as a player above 6-foot-7 that has that high of a career three-point percentage.
He showed that in his first action with the team. Ending the game 4-for-7 from deep, Porter Jr. flashed that top-notch three-point shooting. he topped that in the team’s second preseason game, shooting 4-for-6 from deep.
Ultimately, Porter Jr. flashed the potential that people that he could reach coming out of college. While many were hoping he’d be a better scorer, he’s settling into a role as a competent threat off the bench, and he should get some late-game minutes because of his ability to shoot.
Originally out of Georgetown, Porter Jr. has jumped around the past few seasons, but there doesn’t seem to be a better fit for him than in Golden State. For both sides, this is going to be a win-win relationship.