Michael Porter Jr. , the Denver Nuggets’ lottery draft pick, has reportedly had another surgery on his back, this one being described as “breakthrough.”
What does this mean for the Denver Nuggets, a team trying to make the playoffs? Their first round pick that was a bit of a risk is currently on the fence involving playing this year, but that may not be a bad thing.
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There are two sides to this question, and it really boils down to a pessimistic vs. optimistic approach. Do you give the guy a chance to play, and push for the ROY? Do you think that this is the beginning of a short tenure?
Whichever you fall under, there are points for both. MPJ has one of the highest potential talents in the entire draft. He has the size for NBA basketball, his jumper is smooth as silk, and he’s aggressive enough to create his own shot and find a way to the basket.
MPJ was also rated as the number one recruit in the nation coming into his freshman year at Missouri. The talent and potential gain is there, but it’s up to Denver and him to unleash it.
On the other hand, he has had some issues with his health before, and this is yet another step. Could this hinder his ability to get to the court and progress his game? There are several players in NBA History who have had similar stories, and it’s perfectly reasonable to worry. In his lone season at Missouri, he only played in three games.
Personally, it would depend on when he could come back in the season, and it would be a game-time deal. The Nuggets are hungry for the playoffs, and if he can come back with 20 games while they’re in a tight playoff race, you better believe he will. At the same time, if they’re safely in a playoff spot or firmly out of the playoffs, then he’ll probably sit and heal up.
Either way, the Nuggets should look forward to the return of Michael Porter Jr.