Michael Porter Jr., who slid to Denver at No. 14 in the NBA Draft due to ongoing back issues, had a second surgery last week, NBA.com learned Wednesday.
This latest procedure, according to Porter’s camp, has led to a greater understanding of Porter’s herniated-disks condition, boosting confidence he can move on from the injury and begin his Nuggets career. There is no plan at this point to have him sit out the 2018-19 season.
A spokesperson for the Nuggets declined to comment Wednesday but indicated an update on Porter’s health from the team’s medical staff would be given soon.
Porter, 19, underwent back surgery in November that limited him to just three appearances in his lone season at the University of Missouri. Considered a potential No. 1 overall pick before the surgery, the 6-foot-10 forward also cancelled a workout a week before the draft because of what was termed a hip problem.
As a result, Porter had to sit longer than expected on draft night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn before hearing his name called on the final lottery pick. While Denver felt the risk/reward equation, based on Porter’s game when healthy, merited their gamble on him, there was speculation almost immediately that he might not play at all this season, spending his rookie year in continued rehab to strengthen and condition his back.
Porter signed his multiyear NBA rookie contract earlier this month, with a specified $2.4 million salary for this season.
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