https://www.denverpost.com/2021/11/21/nuggets-michael-porter-jr-nerve-injury-back-surgery/

PHOENIX – Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is dealing with a nerve issue in his back that could jeopardize his season, league sources told The Denver Post.

The Nuggets have been vague about specifics of the injury and when Porter might be expected back. They have given him a timeline of a week to show improvements before considering other treatment options. Another back surgery is a possibility, sources said.

Porter botched a layup attempt in the first quarter against Houston on Nov. 6, exacerbating a back injury that he’s had all season. He has not played since then.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Sunday’s loss to Phoenix that Porter was in Florida away from the team. A league source said he was seeking more opinions on how to treat his injury. Since tweaking his back more than two weeks ago, Porter has been getting daily treatment in an effort to strengthen the area of the injury, sources said.

Porter, 23, has already had two back surgeries. The first came during his lone college season at Missouri and kept him out around four months. The second came after the Nuggets drafted him with the No. 14 pick in the 2018 draft. Porter missed his entire rookie season as a result.

Porter’s pronounced struggles throughout the first nine games of the season were, at least in part, because of his balky back. Nuggets guard Austin Rivers said recently Porter had been playing through injury all season.

“He’s 23 years old,” Rivers said last week. “He’s gotta take care of himself and get himself right physically and that way mentally he can come to the court playing the way that we know he can play. He’s playing hurt this whole season. It’s hard to do that. Hopefully, he comes back soon because he’s a huge part of our team.”

The Nuggets signed Porter to a five-year max contract in late September. A large portion of the contract – $145 million – is guaranteed.

Through nine games this season, Porter was averaging just 9.9 points on only 36% shooting from the field. He was connecting on only 21% of his 3-pointers so far this season, too.

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

I liked both Bridges and both Bridges would be better.

Nalod wrote:Do we really have to do this over and over to ourselves? We all wanted Mykal. We all watched him at Villinova win a chip. Who DIDN'T what to draft him? It was THE safe pick.

I, much like Fiz, was won over by Kevin Knox after watching one (yes ONE, because in another one he looked awful) pre draft workout video- in fact I think I posted on these boards we should go for Knox because I "was in a gambling mood"- this (along with many other horrific takes over the years) is why I should never be given the keys to the franchise😂

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

I liked both Bridges and both Bridges would be better.

Same. I saw the attraction to Knox but really liked both Bridges.

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Knox may be one of the worst players in the league in that he seems to possess talent and athleticism. If he were playing at even 50% of his overall potential he could be a solid rotation player - but instead he offers 20% and rots on the bench.

jskinny35 wrote:

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Knox may be one of the worst players in the league in that he seems to possess talent and athleticism. If he were playing at even 50% of his overall potential he could be a solid rotation player - but instead he offers 20% and rots on the bench.

He has zero lateral quickness. He runs the floor beautifully on offense but the Knicks have never had a pg who could unlock that