Again, wait and see what kind of contract it is. It might be non-guaranteed and it could be G League. I hope he does make it, but without details, we have no idea what kind of deal it is.
Any chance at the NBA is better than no chance, which is what many on here gave him.
I think "once in a blue moon" is telling lol
That being said I hope he makes as much $$ as he possibly can. Very happy for em
Absolutely. That's what I said in my first post in the thread. He has his foot in the door, the opportunity is right there in front of him. I'm rooting for him!
Google says that in 2016 the NBA minimum salary for a player with 0 years NBA experience is $525,000.... I imagine it went up as did the NBA salary cap this year.. a lot
The equivalent of Aaron Rodgers hail mary pass last season or Phelps smoking the competition with ease..
When you can get a nonathletic and defense-void Derek Willis on an NBA team, who essentially played for only two seasons.. you're the f***ing GOAT...
No other QB is making that pass that Rodgers did, and no other coach is getting Willis to the NBA like Cal did.
http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2017/07/pistons_sign_former_kentucky_f.html
Did a quick search. Looks like it's a "affiliate player" contract. Didn't know such a thing exists. It says he gets to go to training camp but will be assigned to the G-League team. Still better than a stick in the eye. Gives him a chance. Good luck to DW.
Did a quick search. Looks like it's a "affiliate player" contract. Didn't know such a thing exists. It says he gets to go to training camp but will be assigned to the G-League team. Still better than a stick in the eye. Gives him a chance. Good luck to DW.
this...I hope he makes it, but let's not jump the gun and pat ourselves on the back too much...just yet.
And I will be the first to eat crow and say I was wrong and he made it.
Willis is plenty athletic. 7'1 wingspan and better than average mobility and explosiveness for his size. He definitely has NBA athleticism.
But yeah, this is almost 100% Calipari at Kentucky effect. I'm actually wondering if Cal pulled some strings to get him a shot because Willis didn't exactly tear it up in summer league. Maybe when you're 6'9 and have his skills you don't need to though.
He even admitted to coasting in his time here and not putting in the work he should have.
But yeah, this is almost 100% Calipari at Kentucky effect. I'm actually wondering if Cal pulled some strings to get him a shot because Willis didn't exactly tear it up in summer league. Maybe when you're 6'9 and have his skills you don't need to though.
He even admitted to coasting in his time here and not putting in the work he should have.
Hell no...that's why DW had to go the free agent route. Any coach worth their salt would've had him drafted lotto...
Willis basically just signing a camp invite right now and not a part of the two way contract that teams can offer.
He'll end up playing with the Grand Rapids team if anything and I don't see him making the figures people have posted for him. He certainly could work his way to that point but tbh he may end up making more money overseas.
He'll end up playing with the Grand Rapids team if anything and I don't see him making the figures people have posted for him. He certainly could work his way to that point but tbh he may end up making more money overseas.
Briscoe will never be close to 6'9, and he likely never be a good shooter. But if he can become an adequate shooter then I think he can make a team.
Willis is a pretty decent and surprising shot blocker. He can block some shots one vs one. That's his most underrated skill. I think the shot blocking will pay off for Willis.
That's the one thing Cal can teach every player he gets. Blocking shots.
Hell even Jorts could get a block every once in a while lol.
If they aint blocking shots its not a REAL Cal post player imo.
That's the one thing Cal can teach every player he gets. Blocking shots.
Hell even Jorts could get a block every once in a while lol.
If they aint blocking shots its not a REAL Cal post player imo.
Not really the point. People are acting like Willis is about to get rich or that this is some kind of proof of Cal's prowess.
Truth is, Willis is going to get a basic G-League deal, like any halfway decent college player would.
Again, I wish him the best. But there's no reason to exaggerate what's going on here.
Jorts will never play in the league. :flush:
DJ will never play in the league. :flush:
WCS will never play in the league. :flush:
Andrew will never play in the league. :flush:
Ulis will never play in the league. :flush:
Willis will never play in the league. :flush:
DJ will never play in the league. :flush:
WCS will never play in the league. :flush:
Andrew will never play in the league. :flush:
Ulis will never play in the league. :flush:
Willis will never play in the league. :flush:
Happy for Derek. No matter what he'll be making tons of money playing a sport. If only we could all be that lucky. Congrats!!
Agree... except the "halfway decent college player" remark. There will be better "college players" that won't get that chance.
Just the folks acting like him getting a shot to make a team in training camp (even if he ends up in the D-League) isn't a big deal for him. Just as bad as the folks acting like he's guaranteed $800k next year.
edit: This could also be a result of how spoiled we are under Cal. A kid getting a chance at the NBA may not a big deal to some because we've seen so many lottery picks.
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I've been saying Willis has NBA potential since he came to UK....... and caught so much flack and hell for it.
To those who called me moron, idiot and all other names .... can officially SUCK IT!!!
To those who called me moron, idiot and all other names .... can officially SUCK IT!!!
Very Happy for Derrick. May he continue to do the things that impressed the Pistons....:basketball:
I am glad to see him make the Pistons. I think he will have a career as a role player in the league. He only has to play for a 3--5 years and he can be set for life. Maybe the reason there hasn't been a post about this is there are too many people spitting out crow feathers.