Kristaps Porzingis the latest craze heading into NBA draft

EVERY YEAR around this time, names get hot and cold as the NBA draft approaches. This year's sizzling name is Kristaps Porzingis, the rail-thin, 6-11, 220-pound Latvian with the sweet shooting stroke.

When you hear about how well he runs the floor, plays above the rim and blocks shots, it makes you think of someone the 76ers already have: Nerlens Noel. But what separates them is how well Porzingis can shoot. His range is that of an NBA shooting guard. And he is good enough off the dribble that he can beat defenders that way, too.

"I was really impressed by a man of that size and the stroke he had," said an NBA executive who watched Porzingis work out in Las Vegas recently. "He has a textbook shot and he can take it out to the three-point line. Range is no issue. His touch is as good from 15 to 24 feet. He's competitive, can get his shot off, shoot over you. He is going to be able to put the ball on the floor for a couple of dribbles and beat you that way.

"The biggest question is if he can and will be able to get an NBA body. His offensive side is great and he can come off the ball and block a shot. I'm not comparing him to Rasheed Wallace, but like Rasheed, he can block a shot and hit threes. Not a lot of big men can do that. For our league, the strength is going to be an issue. No reason to think he won't be able to get stronger, though. He's only 19. He is very intriguing. You can make an argument why he isn't considered the best prospect in this draft."

There have been reports that Porzingis' agent doesn't want his player to be chosen by the Sixers. There is also the patience factor - many don't see Porzingis reaching his potential for another couple of years. But if you watch that simple, sweet stroke, you can't help but think about Dirk Nowitzki.

Porzingis averaged 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds a game this past season with Baloncesto Sevilla in Spain's ACB league. It is a league that is considered a step higher than Division I, with much older players.

He has soft hands that enable him to catch the ball well around the basket and he can finish with either hand. His footwork is good, though defensively he is very prone to foul trouble.

But all that is trumped by his shooting. When you talk of the new wave of the NBA with the spreading of the floor, players like Porzingis immediately come to mind. Whether his name comes to Sam Hinkie's mind on Thursday, we shall see.

Blog: ph.ly/Sixerville