Michael Porter Jr. Reportedly Canceled A Workout And Is Climbing Draft Boards (UPDATED)

Michael Porter Jr. was considered one of the top prospects in the Class of 2017 coming out of high school and many thought the 6’10 wing would have a chance at being the No. 1 overall draft pick this June.

However, a back injury suffered in the first game of the season that required surgery and kept him out until the SEC Tournament has seen him fall down draft boards and he has been projected in the middle of the lottery by most mock drafts throughout the process. Porter was scheduled to hold a workout in Chicago on Friday that was going to be attended by a number of lottery teams, but according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, that has been cancelled.

Any time a prospect cancels a workout, the immediate thought is that he has a promise of some form and the thought from O’Connor is that Porter is climbing up the draft and may be back in play for a top 5 selection, something few considered before recently. There has been some buzz recently in Sacramento that the Kings are genuinely interested in him at the No. 2 overall pick, while O’Connor moved him up to No. 4 to the Grizzlies in his most recent mock that he says reflects the latest intel.

The NBA Draft process is always fascinating to watch because there are always some late risers (and late fallers) in the draft. Porter, if his medicals check out, makes sense as a riser given his immense potential as an offensive weapon in an NBA that is dominated by wing scorers. Still, there are questions about Porter beyond just the back, namely on defense and how he’ll fit in on a team, but his talent is undeniable and with a top 5 dominated by big men, if a team has a need on the wing and is confident in his back it isn’t a tremendous surprise that they would be willing to take him earlier than most have projected.

Update #1: Given that the Kings were among the teams expected to attend the workout in Chicago, it was curious that the entire event would be canceled. Sam Amick of USA Today brought news late Wednesday night that the Kings are indeed in play for Porter, and that the workout that was canceled will ultimately be rescheduled.

Update #2: Porter reportedly canceled his workout due to a hip strain, not because of a promise, although the consensus is still that he’s rising up draft boards.