The Nuggets have signed first-round pick Michael Porter Jr. to a rookie contract, the team announced on its website.
Porter was projected as high as No. 2 in the draft, but concerns about his the condition of his back caused him to plummet all the way to 14th. He suffered a back injury that required surgery in his first college game, then played limited minutes in a pair of SEC and NCAA tournament contests.
Porter will receive $2,411,800 as a rookie and $2,824,500 in his second season. As with all first-rounders, his contract will have two guaranteed seasons, followed by two team option years.
Best signing of the summer for Denver, made Chandler dispensable.