Due to his injury history, critics expect Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets to sit out in his first season. However, the 20-year-old is 100 percent certain that he'll suit up this season.

As per Rafael Torres of Real Ball Insiders:

Prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, many critics placed him well within the top 10 picks, some even placed him as high as top three. Yet when various physical test results came out, especially when Porter Jr. had to skip one workout due to his back, his stock value dropped. Come draft night, the 6-foot-10 Porter was selected 14th overall by the Nuggets.

A few weeks ago, Porter Jr. underwent surgery of the lumbar spine. This is the second back surgery for the 20-year-old in less than a year. As reported by Reuters, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said that they're not in a rush for their new acquisition suit up:

“We understood the risk-reward situation with Michael Porter, and we felt at 14 he was far too great of a talent to pass up,” Malone said. “And we’re going to be patient. We’re not going to rush him back, and that’s the luxury we have.

“We have a very good team coming back. We have a very deep team, so there’s no reason for us to say, ‘Michael’s got to play this year.’ We’re going to give him all the time and treatment he needs to get better, and hopefully he can get back and help us this year.”