Examining the hype and consequences of Michael Porter Jr.'s return

There was a time when Missouri's Michael Porter Jr. was the consensus top pick for the 2018 NBA Draft. And despite playing just two minutes this season before being forced to undergo back surgery, the five-star recruit remains among the best five prospects in college basketball.

Porter hasn't had an opportunity to shine this season like some of his peers. Marvin Bagley has proven to be one of the most offensively gifted players in the nation. Deandre Ayton is a monstrous force who can score from anywhere. Trae Young is a National Player of the Year candidate with unlimited range. Mohamed Bamba has the type of defensive ceiling scouts salivate over.

All this, and Porter is still listed among those ranks. It's rare to find a 6-foot-10 fluid wing who can score at will from anywhere. Could he be the next Tracy McGrady or Kevin Durant? Scouts could get their first look at Porter since November when the Tigers face Vanderbilt on Tuesday.

There's been debate whether Porter can only damage his draft stock by returning so late in the year, but several NBA executives told ESPN's Jeff Goodman that the star forward should definitely play if healthy.

The 18-11 Tigers are vying for a spot in the NCAA tournament, and Porter's return can only help their cause.

Missouri ranks 189th in points, scoring only 73.6 per game. Seniors Kassius Robertson and Jordan Barnett are the team's only two scorers averaging double-digits. Porter would immediately become the most gifted player on the floor for Missouri.

After three straight losses, and sitting at .500 in the SEC, Missouri is on the bubble with no tournament guarantee. The squad desperately needs to handle 11-18 Vanderbilt and a pesky Arkansas team, and a relatively healthy Porter should make a noticeable difference.

Porter gives Missouri a fourth high-level threat from behind the arc. Despite their overall scoring struggles, the Tigers have three players shooting over 39 percent from three (Robertson, Barnett, and Jordan Geist):

It's hard to imagine Porter receiving heavy minutes in his first few games back, but 15 to 20 minutes of Porter could be the difference-maker.

On a personal level, Porter has an opportunity, however brief, to showcase his talent at the college level. And if Missouri qualifies for the NCAA tournament, the Tigers and the 19-year-old wunderkind would be a major focal point.

Porter has one of the smoothest jump shots you'll see from a player his size, and he operates like a natural shooting guard.

Being a tall, rangy forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Porter should be able to utilize his size and length to play multiple positions in the NBA. But he can't solely rely on athleticism to dominate around the basket. He'll need to showcase a respectable level of strength on both ends. It might be a lot to ask, but if he can help Missouri make a little noise in the tourney, his odds of going No. 1 overall in June will only increase.

There's no denying the risk factor in Porter's comeback. What if he can't shake off the rust, or, worse yet, is injured trying to push a middling team through to the tournament? It's arguable that Porter is more likely to hinder his draft standing than boost it at this point in the year.

Porter isn't a perfect prospect. He lacks defensive instincts and hasn't fully developed his ball handling (which isn't uncommon). His jumper is certainly NBA-ready; however, his level of aggressiveness is not. The game comes naturally to him, which is, at different times, a blessing and a curse.

Throwing caution to the wind, the player is going to play. There's risk in the equation, and potential reward. We'll soon find out whether it was the right call.