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Mizzou Basketball: Michael Porter Jr fits in well with Denver Nuggets

By Leigh Oleszczak

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Michael Porter Jr. talks to the media after being selected fourteenth overall by the Denver Nuggets on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Michael Porter Jr. talks to the media after being selected fourteenth overall by the Denver Nuggets on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mizzou basketball freshman Michael Porter Jr. slid to number 14 in the 2018 NBA Draft, but the Denver Nuggets decided to take a chance on him.

It couldn’t have been a tough decision for the Denver Nuggets, as Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr. very well could have been one of the first picks in last year’s draft. Instead, concerns about his back caused him to skid to number 14 and the Nuggets added him to their ranks.

Porter has the ability to be a star anywhere he goes, but he has the chance to make Denver relevant again in basketball. The Nuggets have not been to the postseason since the 2012-2013 season and look to break that drought in the 2018-2019 season.

Porter played in just three games at Missouri this past season and missed so much time because of a back injury he sustained in his first game of the season. Porter played in just two minutes in that game and did not see the court again until the SEC Tournament in March. He would play in the NCAA Tournament, but the Tigers were bounced in the first round.

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Denver has talent with the likes of Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic, and Jamal Murray, who are all young guys on the cusp of breaking out. If Porter can stay healthy, the Nuggets could most definitely be a fun team to watch down the road. They have a young team and Porter adds yet another piece to helping to put them over the top.

Teams had to be wary of Porter’s injuries, as he was thought to be at least a top ten pick in this year’s draft. When he slipped past number ten, it looked as if it was going to be a longer night than expected for the Mizzou forward.

Obviously the biggest question with Michael Porter Jr. regarding his pro career will be if he can stay healthy. The kid has all the talent in the world, but wasn’t able to display it fully while suiting up for Mizzou last season. He played in just 53 minutes with the Tigers and didn’t make the impact on the court that many had anticipated.

This could end up being the steal of the draft for the Denver Nuggets. They shouldn’t have landed a player like Michael Porter Jr. at 14th overall, but worries over his health caused him to fall. If he can remain healthy and can play like he did in high school, the Nuggets will be a good team for years to come.

Best of luck in the Mile High city, Michael Porter Jr!

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