NBA: Way-too-early All-Rookie Team predictions for 2019-20

Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

How quickly people forget about this situation. Porter Jr. missed all of his rookie season as he continued to recover from a back injury he suffered after his first official game against Iowa State in 2017. This isn’t going to be another Ben Simmons or Blake Griffin story – well not on that level.

Porter Jr. will have a fresh season (assuming he comes back 100% from his recent knee sprain) and be expected to compete for big minutes at the small forward position on the championship-caliber Denver Nuggets.

Porter Jr. was a top-2 recruit coming out of high school. He played with Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young forming one of the best duos on the AAU circuit. Porter Jr. is as tall as a big man (6-foot-11) but operates offensively like guard/wing. He can score at all three levels. Because he had that redshirt year he was able to study the NBA game up close and get stronger. There is a good belief that Porter Jr. will be a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year.

Porter Jr. will benefit from other creators and scorers on the team. He won’t have to rush to be the main option – his potential points to him being it down the line. It was very disappointing that he was not able to play in the summer league. The wait will be worth it.