Kentucky basketball: Game preview, 3 keys vs Missouri
By Drew Koch
3. Will Michael Porter Jr. play?
Michael Porter Jr. played 2 minutes in Missouri’s opener and that was it. Since then, Porter had back surgery in November and his season was thought to be lost. However, just this past week, Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said Porter will return to practice.
So what does that mean for Saturday’s game at Rupp Arena against the Wildcats? Not much. I’d be greatly surprised if Porter sees the court for even one minute the remainder this season. Porter is essentially a lock for a Top 10 and perhaps a Top 5 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
A Top 5 pick would basically be guaranteed at least $9.5 million in the first 2 years. Porter is a player that will get drafted on his potetial alone. Don’t forget, Hamidou Diallo almost left his name in last year’s draft. Had he done that, he likely would have been a Top 20 pick. Rather than $3.3 million in guaranteed money, Diallo is likely to be fighting for even a first-round pick. Porter would be wise to avoid allowing NBA clubs to see his potential flaws.