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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Who is Michael Porter Jr.?

By Ryan Doyle

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Michael Porter speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Michael Porter speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Bad

Porter’s back injury is by far his biggest concern. If teams are not sold on his bill of health, he will fall to the middle of the first round.

Teams will have the chance to host Porter for a workout, so if he can prove to medical staffs he is good to go, Porter may see his Draft stock rise again. For now, he is just a giant question mark.

Even with a clean bill of health from team doctors, he will be a mystery until he suits up.

Porter’s offensive game is one of the strongest in the class. But he has the tendency to chuck. This may not mean pulling up from way downtown, but he loves to freeze ball movement and try to force the action on offense. This could be the effects of being a go-to guy all his life. But it won’t fly in the next level.

On the court, his defense is a major question mark. At times, Porter lost focus, potentially focusing too much on the offensive end. It made for some ugly film. But the tools and skill set are there for a potential turnaround.

Porter will also have to prepare for bigger and quicker matchups. Odds are, he will slide into one of the forward slots and it may cause problems. Porter is not fleet of foot and would have trouble staying in front of athletic wings. At the same time, bully ball 4s will eat his 210-pound frame up down low.

He has the tools to develop on that end. But his effort is a big question mark heading into the Draft.

Porter’s small frame is also a major question mark. Jonathan Isaac faced similar concerns last year when the Orlando Magic drafted him. Porter will not be strong enough to finish through NBA forwards in year one. Neither will he be strong enough to slow them down on defense.

Again, Porter is a pretty strong prospect, but the injury concerns will weigh heavy on NBA execs minds.