Nuggets talk to Michael Porter Jr. about controversial coronavirus comments

"It's not a distraction for me. Obviously, I'm not the thought police. I'm not going to tell any of our players what they can and can't say. All I would say is just be sensitive to the current situation in our country and throughout the world in regards to coronavirus.

"But, Michael Porter and any other player on our roster, they're entitled to their opinions and they're entitled to their ability to have free speech, and I will respect that as long as it doesn't become a distraction. What Michael stated, being around our players this morning at breakfast and practice, has not become a distraction at all."

Malone added: 

"He understands the situation. But once again, we as an organization are not going to put a muzzle on anybody. If somebody has a strong belief on something, they have the platform and the freedom to use that. We'll just try to educate guys so they understand the impact of what they may be saying."

As ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk wrote, Porter offered his opinions about the coronavirus pandemic during a Tuesday Snapchat session:

"Personally, I think the coronavirus is being used obviously for a bigger agenda. It's being used for population control in just terms of being able to control the masses of people. I mean, because of the virus the whole world is being controlled.

"You're required to wear masks. And who knows what will happen when this vaccine comes out? You might have to have the vaccine in order to travel. Like, that would be crazy."

Per CNN's Wayne Sterling and Ben Morse, Porter also claimed on Snapchat he's never been vaccinated even though Missouri, where he played his college ball, requires a two-dose MMR Immunization Policy: 

"I've never been vaccinated in my life. I've never had any shots or anything like that. So it could get crazy. But it's definitely behind everything that's going on right now and all you could do is sit back and watch what's going on.

"Don't get too emotionally involved. But yeah, I mean it is a serious thing. It is a real thing. But yes, it is being overblown."

NBA players and other personnel are currently isolated at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex bubble site for the restart of the 2019-20 campaign that was halted on March 11 because of the pandemic linked with roughly 150,000 deaths in the United States. 

Porter averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds across 48 appearances during the season before the league stopped play.