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Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly says whenever rookie swingman Michael Porter Jr. is 100 percent, the Nuggets will play him.
Porter Jr. has undergone two back surgeries, one in college and the other after Denver drafted him with the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Porter Jr.’s camp said the second surgery was good for Porter Jr. in the long run.
Tim Connelly discussing Michael Porter Jr on @1043TheFan didn’t rule out Denver’s rookie playing this year. “He’s not going to play until he’s 100%. If he’s 100% in March, fine. If he’s 100% at Summer League, fine.” Porter has been going through non-contact portions of practice.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) February 12, 2019
When he was in high school, Porter Jr. was arguably the best player in the country and NBA execs pegged him as the No. 1 draft prospect for the 2018 Draft. Then the back surgery happened while Porter Jr. was at the University of Missouri and his draft stock dropped immensely.
Porter Jr.’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, delivered detailed information to teams on Porter Jr.’s back ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft. The medical report which Bartlestein gave teams caused major concern and that’s why Porter Jr. fell to the Nuggets.
There are some, though, who believe Denver may have gotten a steal in Porter Jr., because when he's healthy, he could turn out to be the best scorer and shooter from the 2018 draft class. The Nuggets have the luxury of being cautious with Porter Jr. since they currently have the second-best record in the Western Conference standings.