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Michael Porter so far has shared medical information with only the Bulls

the Bulls medical staff conducted a physical for Michael Porter Jr.

By Paul Steeno
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-First Round-Missouri vs Florida State Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Future lottery pick Michael Porter Jr. has (so far) only entrusted the Chicago Bulls with his medical information. Why?

In a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch by Dave Matter (via KC Johnson), there’s included in a story on Michael’s less famous brother Jontay a relevant part from a Chicago standpoint.

• A quick note on Porter Jr. In the KMOX interview, Porter Sr. said his oldest son has not yet released his medical information to NBA teams but underwent a physical by the Chicago Bulls medical team last Thursday. He’ll host a pro day this Friday in Chicago that’s open to any team that’s interested in watching him work out. The following week the teams drafting in the top 10 will have another day to see him up close and inspect his surgically repaired back. The Porters will share the Bulls’ medical report with every other NBA team, Porter Sr. said. The Bulls have the seventh overall pick.

Star Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr. missed nearly the entire season after undergoing a microdiscectomy on his L3 and L4 spinal discs at the end of November. He returned at the end of the season for the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, but looked labored as the after effects of the back surgery seemed to continue to trouble him once he returned to play.

Prospects and their representation have the right to not release medical information to certain teams. So the fact that Porter Jr. will release them could mean he’s confident. Or that he’s delaying their release means the opposite.

And letting the Bulls get the first look could be significant. Or maybe not, it could just be convenience. The agency that represents him, Priority Sports (and that should ring familiar), resides in Chicago, and Porter himself has been living in the city during this pre-draft period.

The Bulls pick all the way back at No. 7, so it’s not likely they will even have the chance to pick Porter unless they decide to trade up in the draft...or this scares other teams away.