Following potential 2015 draftees

[freakazoid]

I can't believe Johnson will turn down the NBA money to go back. I like his drive though.

Any player solidly in the first round should absolutely leave for the NBA. With the current rookie scale and an escalating cap (should be well over $100M when they are done with their first deal) they would be crazy not to get the timer started on that first deal. The MLE will be $8-9 M by then, so even if they are average they are going to get a significant pay raise.

Yep, some of these kids have people around them aggressively giving them advice that is in the best interest of the college, and not the player. At some point, one of these kids is going to miss out on millions due to an injury. Extremely selfish and irresponsible behavior, IMO.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Johnson saying he's "torn" about entering the draft sounds like a veiled way of saying he's entering the draft. Jazz might have a shot at him at #10. Meanwhile DX has Oubre back ahead of Dekker, who dropped a few spots after last night's game.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Yep, some of these kids have people around them aggressively giving them advice that is in the best interest of the college, and not the player. At some point, one of these kids is going to miss out on millions due to an injury. Extremely selfish and irresponsible behavior, IMO.

I don't know how a college coach could look his kid in the eye if he was a surefire lotto pick, like Johnson, and tell him to come back. It was estimated that Marcus Smart basically lost $10 M by going back a year. It has to be twice that now for a guy like Johnson.

 

[Qman]

Hayes will be a junior. It is Dekker who would be a senior if he returns. WI prays to the gods for that.

If I am Dekker, I would come out. When is stock going to be higher? And it is hard to turndown the 4 mil or so guaranteed. Coupled with the injury risk, I can't see any financial reason to stay. Maybe he likes being the big man on campus.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Johnson saying he's "torn" about entering the draft sounds like a veiled way of saying he's entering the draft. Jazz might have a shot at him at #10. Meanwhile DX has Oubre back ahead of Dekker, who dropped a few spots after last night's game.

I agree... It's not like they will be that much better next year. Doubt he'll have a better shot at it than he did this year.

 

[The Midnight]

I don't know how a college coach could look his kid in the eye if he was a surefire lotto pick, like Johnson, and tell him to come back. It was estimated that Marcus Smart basically lost $10 M by going back a year. It has to be twice that now for a guy like Johnson.

And Smart actually played better in his 2nd year improving his shooting, etc. There were just more talent with Embiid, Wiggins, Jabari, etc.



Next year's draft supposed to be pretty bad isn't it? May be Johnson could improve his stock?

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

And Smart actually played better in his 2nd year improving his shooting, etc. There were just more talent with Embiid, Wiggins, Jabari, etc.



Next year's draft supposed to be pretty bad isn't it? May be Johnson could improve his stock?

Moving from 7-9th pick into the top 5 really doesn't matter much when you figure he is giving up a year of nba salary, a year of endorsements, and waiting an extra year to get the big pay day.

 

[The Midnight]

Moving from 7-9th pick into the top 5 really doesn't matter much when you figure he is giving up a year of nba salary, a year of endorsements, and waiting an extra year to get the big pay day.

Yeah plus he is a player that could really rise during workouts with his athleticism and physicality. If he could outplay Hezonja and/or match Winslow's level of intensity/physicality in a 3 on 3 workout may be he could rise?

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

If Johnson were to return to AZ, there would be significant pressure on him to show improvement--specifically, finishing around the rim and offensive production in general. He's got more to lose by returning to school than coming out. There are several examples of players who stay an extra year, don't improve much and drop in the following draft--Perry Jones III, Glen Robinson III, and Aaron Harrison are pretty graphic examples. He'd probably go lottery next year, but probably wouldn't go top 5. He'll go 8 - 11 this year. He can work on his game full time in the pros and get paid well to do it. Coming out is the best move.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

There also people who improve their draft stock. It's his choice.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

There also people who improve their draft stock. It's his choice.

And both those that improve their stock and those that don't will both lose money... not that money is the end all be all. I think Stanley would end up exactly like Marcus Smart.... come back to win the tourney but won't be able to do it.

 

[The Midnight]

And both those that improve their stock and those that don't will both lose money... not that money is the end all be all. I think Stanley would end up exactly like Marcus Smart.... come back to win the tourney but won't be able to do it.

Agreed. If you're projected top 10 you're almost always better off declaring. Just too much uncertainties otherwise.