The Denver Nuggets have reportedly confirmed that they are in no rush to bring back rookie Michael Porter Jr. after the 20-year-old underwent back surgery in November of last year.

In an interview for NBA TV, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone explained why the team are willing to take it slow with Porter.

“‘We have a very deep team, so there's no reason for us to say that Michael is going to play this year,' Malone said. ‘We're going to give him all the time and all the treatment he needs to get better, and hopefully he can get back and help us this year.' Malone credited the front office for taking the risk on Porter, but this quote does add to the chances we don't see him in the next year.”

Porter was considered a risky pick because of his career-threatening injury, as there continue to be question marks on whether or not he can ever return to top form. Nonetheless, he was the consensus first overall pick prior to the injury, which means that if everything pans out, he would be an absolute steal for the Nuggets who took him 14th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Denver just recently re-signed big man Nikola Jokic to a 5-year max deal worth $146 million. The 23-year-old is without question the cornerstone player of the Nuggets, but he is also surrounded by young and emerging talents in the form of Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. Veterans such as Will Barton and Paul Millsap are also still in the fold.

With such a packed roster, it would be foolish for the Nuggets to rush Porter back. They can definitely take their time on this one, as they hope to meticulously develop this young lad into the franchise player he was originally destined to be.