Michael Porter Jr. leaned against a wall on the third floor of the Grand Hyatt in midtown Manhattan and took off his blue jacket. This was Wednesday, the day before the 2018 NBA Draft, and he was fresh off a half-hour media session, during which reporters repeatedly questioned his health.
The back surgery Porter underwent in November 2017 blurred the future of the 6-foot-10 forward who was once a contender to go first overall in the draft. And it was enough for nine teams to pass on him in the draft. Consensus was that he would be a lottery pick — but where would he land?