That interview makes me like Porter even more. Soft spoken, likes to work, likes to play D. I agree that the Durant comparison is more of a body type comparison. He's not elite like Durant, but he could come off as a poor man's KD.
As far as the role player comments go, I stress that Porter is not a role player. A role player is a guy who is great at one thing, maybe good at a second, and average or lower at most everything else. Frankly, Noel appears to be more of a role player than Porter. He should be a monster on D and blocking shots, but what else? Will he ever get a mid-range J of any kind? He's a garbage FT shooter, so he's a liability whenever he has the ball because they'll just play ye olde Hack A Shaq. I find it hard to believe that Noel will ever be more than a 5th option on offense. His putbacks should put him into the 10ppg range, but I doubt he could go much beyond that.
I'm not sure there's any guy that could end up being the #1 option for any offense in this draft. Someone may emerge. Porter is likely a 2nd or 3rd option - but he fits well there.
I love all that Porter brings to the table on offense. If you've got a C and PF that can post up, you can pull Porter into the post as well and try to collapse the defense around the paint, opening up the wings for wide open Js. Porter's the most versatile player in the draft on both sides of the ball.
I really don't want any of the centers at #1. If it's not Porter, I'd want Oladipo. I think those are the two best players in the draft. Oladipo would require some personnel shifts, but give you lock down perimeter D, a solid shot, and the best motor in this draft. I don't think he can hit superstar status, but I think he can up to being a solid 15ppg wing who brings the pain on D, can shoot a distance, and be a great team role model.
But Porter fits the needs, can play meaningful minutes immediately, and is pretty far along for a 19 year old. I'm not one who thinks that the Cavs' interest in vet small forwards with ending contracts means anything other than they want a vet to mentor a young SF. That's how I see it.
I trust Grant, though. Whatever he does, I'm buying in.