Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic among teams at Michael Porter Jr.’s pro day
The Orlando Magic were reportedly among the teams at Michael Porter Jr.’s pro day Friday as the team continues its draft preparations.
Everyone seems certain they know what Trae Young is as a basketball player. They seem to know what Mohamed Bamba’s length can do for a team — and just how much his jumper might change his game. And they all seem to know what Wendell Carter Jr.’s floor is.
The great mystery of this Draft — and the decision that could set the Draft order in one direction or another — is Michael Porter Jr.
Porter was one of the top high school prospects in the last recruiting class. Even entering the 2018 college season, Porter was considered a potential top overall pick. He had a smooth game and a strong scoring knack. Someone you could dump the ball to and get a shot or get all the way to the basket. And at 6-foot-10, he had the length and size NBA teams like seeing these days.
His first game with the Missouri Tigers, he suffered a hip injury just two minutes into the game. That injury turned out to need spinal surgery to repair. Porter missed the entire season, returning only for the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament. Even though Porter seemed ready to take shots and try to play his old style, it was clear he was a step slow.
He hardly looked like the high-flying player of his high school tape. NBA teams have not seen him play now for a year. And he now has a major surgery on his record that NBA teams thinking of drafting him will have to consider.
That information-gathering process continued Friday with Porter’s pro day in Chicago. According to Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated, the Orlando Magic were among the teams who attended.
Am told the Kings, Grizzlies, Magic, Bulls and Clippers were among the teams that sent top decision-makers to Chicago for Michael Porter’s Pro Day today. Current plan is for Porter to work out a second time - for lottery teams only - next week.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 9, 2018
It is not clear how that workout went. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla cited a source saying the workout went well. But then later noted that at this time of year, scouts and executives are constantly feeding the league false information.
With so few teams likely there to watch Porter, they may be trying to hide their true intentions or get some other team to take the bait. The Draft can be a giant game of chicken.
So a @dallasmavs staffer said Michael Porter, Jr.’s workout in Chicago was “extremely impressive.” That means that Mavs hoping team picking ahead will take him so someone else falls to No.5. Everyone is lying 2 weeks before @NBADraft.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 9, 2018
Porter’s father told Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Porter had a physical with the Chicago Bulls’ doctors. And teams will be able to request that information from them. After his pro day, he will hold another physical for teams drafting in the top 10 sometime next week. That might be their only chance to look closer at his back.
Obviously, if Porter is healthy that changes a lot of opinions and calculus around the league. He is a clearly very talented player and a gifted scorer. A much more natural scorer than anyone the Magic have that is for sure.
The question will be whether he can overcome his health scares and whether the Magic front office believes he is a fit around Jonathan Isaac. And much more immediately, whether he is worth more to them than Aaron Gordon. It is hard to imagine the Magic rolling out a front line with all three of Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. together.
Those are questions for later though as the Magic weigh who to take with the sixth pick.
Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Wendell Carter Jr.?
For now, the Magic were among the teams that watched Porter during his pro day. They will take that information and see how the Draft falls for them.