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Michael Porter Jr. says he's free of pain after a second surgery on his back. Porter hopes to be on the court near the start of the 18-19 season.

"I finally feel, like, good," Porter said.

"I don't have a date but I'm hoping to be back for the beginning of the year. Gotta heal up, but I feel great," said Porter. "I'm able to get on the court a little bit right now, do something different things. But my rehab has definitely been very conservative. They're really taking it easy with me, being patient with me."

Porter underwent a microdiscectomy in November 2017 that repaired one of two bulging discs in his back. He underwent a second spinal surgery in July.

Via Chris Forsberg/ESPN

Overrated

Wishing MPJ a successful career and coming back stronger then ever.

Could be ROY if he's completely healthy.

He said beginning of the year. That's VERY different than the beginning of the season. A 5-month recover time from a 2nd back surgery is pretty optimistic.

I would say early 2019 is a fair estimate, I think this writer misinterpreted Michael's words.

The same positive bs is what got him drafted at 14 and not 25...some orgs eat up the optimism because it sells future hope etc.
There is no guarantees this kid ever plays to his potential, but there is a chance so no matter how overblown the reality of it is, he and they will keep piling on their confidence, but in reality confidence will only get you in the door.

leo7 wrote:Could be ROY if he's completely healthy.

Even if he was completely healthy, Barton and Millsap will be getting the majority of the forward minutes. There are many rookies that will have a much larger role, and they don't have the injury history of Porter Jr.

Highly doubt he plays at all this season.

Seems like he’s shooting for beginning of the year. Meaning Jan/feb 2019.

Just red shirt him. Get him healthy and be ready for 2019-2020 season.

dautjazz wrote:

leo7 wrote:Could be ROY if he's completely healthy.

Even if he was completely healthy, Barton and Millsap will be getting the majority of the forward minutes. There are many rookies that will have a much larger role, and they don't have the injury history of Porter Jr.

If he plays well he would get sf minutes

yeah. what does his DOCTORS say!

Ryan91729 wrote:Overrated

By who? For what? He was out all last season. He's basically rated as a project with superstar potential if able to stay healthy. That seems pretty spot on considering his past and type of injury.

I don’t know why people are negative about young guys. Denver shot for the stars with him. Why don’t we all just hope he does well?

Ryan91729 wrote:Overrated

How can a late lottery pick be overrated?? Smack yourself

Thank God knicks stayed away whew

I’m pulling for him but I don’t like how he keeps pushing for an early return. Why risk re-injury? Just sit out the season, work out, and come back next year ready to go. It’s really not that complicated.

kuclas wrote:Highly doubt he plays at all this season.

Seems like he’s shooting for beginning of the year. Meaning Jan/feb 2019.

Just red shirt him. Get him healthy and be ready for 2019-2020 season.

I agree 100%. Just do the same thing Giles did last year. Be 100% next season with a whole year of rehab and hopefully practicing by beginning of the 2018-19. Not sure why he is in such a hurry after having two back surgeries in such a short amount of time. Patience is key. Get stronger and rehab your injury before you prove your doubters wrong

dubbmotta wrote:

Ryan91729 wrote:Overrated

How can a late lottery pick be overrated?? Smack yourself

Exactly. I’d much rather my team took a risk on a potential star than draft a role player. Denver has to draft stars, FA’s aren’t signing there.

ecuhus1981 wrote:He said beginning of the year. That's VERY different than the beginning of the season. A 5-month recover time from a 2nd back surgery is pretty optimistic.

I would say early 2019 is a fair estimate, I think this writer misinterpreted Michael's words.

Maybe, maybe not. Plenty of people interchange "season" and "year". That said, nuggets have no reason to rush him back. I'd be surprised if he even plays half a season.

That hat has a better chance of fitting his head than him playing at the start of the season.

Murray, MPJ, Jokic will be one of the best Big Threes in the league and all are very young with a dozen years left in their careers. DEN lucked out getting him so late.