Porter, USA Today’s High School Player of the Year in 2017, was No. 1 on many team’s draft boards before the 2017-18 season. However, before even playing a game for Mizzou, Porter suffered a back injury, which required surgery to repair a bulging disc. The nature of back injuries combined with the fact that he appeared in just three college games scared NBA teams off, and Denver was able to draft Porter 14th overall. At 6-foot-10 with a smooth shooting stroke, it’s easy to understand why the Nuggets would be willing to take a gamble on Porter’s upside given their draft position. Things have gotten off to a less-than-ideal start, as Porter underwent another back surgery in mid-July. Still, according to a mid-August interview by Porter, "I don't have a date but I'm hoping to be back for the beginning of the year. Gotta heal up, but I feel great. I'm able to get on the court a little bit right now, do something different things. But my rehab has definitely been very conservative. They're really taking it easy with me, being patient with me." Fantasy owners who are optimistic about Porter’s health have a case to take him in the later rounds of a draft, as the team got thinner at the rookie’s position(s) over the summer, mainly due to the departure of Wilson Chandler. More conservative Fantasy owners also have a case to stay away and let someone else take the risk, as many NBA teams did on draft night.