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Now that they have more experience in the NBA, promising players from the 2018 Draft Class are finally showing solid signs of a lasting career in the league. While Luka Doncic and Trae Young are the most obvious names that come to mind, Michael Porter Jr. is making a strong case to be considered as well, especially when it comes to the NBA card market.
While his recent leap has left everyone in awe, this isn’t necessarily the case when the Denver Nuggets drafted him with the 14th pick three years ago. After recovering from a serious back injury and fighting his way out of the bench during the past few seasons, Porter is now ready to show everyone why he deserves to be recognized.
We take a look below at how MPJ is doing during the regular season and how his stock in the card market has reflected his continuing improvement.
Michael Porter Jr. Cards: Standing Firm
MPJ: Before and After Jamal Murray’s Season-Ending Injury
When it comes to the Nuggets, the man sitting at the top is Nikola Jokic, and right below him is Denver’s dynamic point guard, Jamal Murray. This pecking order ensured the Joker has an able second option in Blue Arrow when it comes to orchestrating and generating offense.
That all changed last April when Murray tore his ACL in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Before that nasty injury, Porter played 44 games for Denver and started in 37 of them. During that stretch, he averaged 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a single assist in 30.5 minutes on the floor.
With Murray out for the rest of season, it was Porter’s turn to carry the load next to Jokic. In the 17 games he played after Murray went down, the forward has increased his points per game to 23.5 in 33.4 minutes. He’s also getting very efficient with his shot selection by connecting 56% from the field and 48% on 7.9 attempts from the three-point line.
Porter’s newfound role in Denver was on full display last month when the Nuggets faced the Houston Rockets. In that game, MPJ went off by posting 39 points by hitting 62% from two and 67% from three. He also got six rebounds, two assists, and three blocks to showcase an improving overall game.
Porter’s late-season ascension as the Nuggets’ three-level scorer and second option to Jokic has certainly paid dividends. Just recently, the 22-year old was named as one of the finalists for this year’s Most Improved Player award. Taking these positive developments into account, it isn’t too far off to say that Denver’s young stud is on his way up in the NBA.
The State Of Michael Porter Rookie Cards In The Market
Porter’s PSA 10 base Prizm rookie card has surged from $200 last March to its current price of $280. His Prizm Silver cards, on the other hand, are going higher.
From $860 before the trade deadline expired, it’s now at $1,050 this week. That price can still go up in the event Denver eliminates the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoffs or Porter goes off in one of those games.
It’s isn’t hard to see that Porter is slowly becoming a star in the NBA. With a solid upward trend forming because of his improved performance, it’s only wise to invest more in this young player before his prices shoot up soon.
