NBA Draft 2014: Mitch McGary will not undergo physical on injured back
By Brad Rowland
With the exception of former Kansas big man Joel Embiid, Michigan’s Mitch McGary has the most highly scrutinized medicals of any prospect in the 2014 NBA Draft. Unfortunately for teams that have interest in McGary, however, they reportedly won’t be getting any additional clarity in advance of the draft.
Brendan F. Quinn of MLive.com reports that McGary will not have his back tested prior to Thursday:
"The former Michigan forward will not undergo a predraft physical to test the condition of his surgically repaired lower back, according to his agent, Priority Sports & Entertainment founder Mark Bartelstein.“We’re comfortable with it,” Bartelstein told MLive on Monday. “It’s a decision we’ve made that we think will be best for Mitch.”"
In addition to the report on McGary’s lack of a physical, Quinn also brings the news that McGary’s reported workout with the Milwaukee Bucks last week would be his only individual visit with a team, and with that stunning lack of information, it presents an interesting dilemma for various NBA teams. The 6-foot-10 McGary played in only eight games as a sophomore in Ann Arbor this season as a result of his back issue, and even when he had his “breakout” freshman campaign, it was the relatively small sample size of the Big 10 and NCAA Tournaments that caused scouts to salivate.
Any NBA team that would be interested in bringing in the high-motor big man would be banking on a full recovery, and that is a tough sell after a serious back issue. Still, many believe that Mitch McGary has lottery-level upside if he is 100% healthy, and at the bottom of the first round or top of the second round, there could be a team ready to pounce. Stay tuned.