If he’s projected to go somewhere between 15-20 this year and maybe moves up 10 spots for 2019 what’s the real gamble? At worst he stays where he is projected now and gets to enjoy college life for another year. I get the sense that his father understands how valuable his college experience was after playing in the cutthroat world of professional sports. Plus, isn’t he only 17? Or recently turned 18?
Kevin Knox
- Thread starter AParkerB
- Start date
Well, injuries can happen. There is that. You lose a year of income, which in the long run of a successful career may not be a huge deal. Those are two reasons to jump.
He could break his leg tracking down Easter Eggs. Anything is possible.
Insurance isn;t going to be able to replace what a lengthy NBA career can afford a person.
The first NBA contract is very insignificant in the long run. It is all about that 2nd contract where pretty much all of the money is made in your professional career. If you are lucky enough to receive a 3rd/4th contract, well that is just gravy.
These kids have to calculate the risk/reward. If he goes 15 this year, compared to 10 next year, that risk is way too high to not jump this year. This is my opinion of course. It all depends on the strength of the draft class as well.
I would imagine playing college ball at UK is fun compared to the grind of playing as many games in a season in the NBA. Also unless you're one of the top NBA players I would imagine you get more limelight at UK. The biggest factor may be how much he could raise his draft status staying another year.
As another poster said, insurance won’t cover a career worth of earnings. Say Knox averages 5 million a year for 15 years. No in surance is going to pay him 60 million dollars. Now look at someone like AD or Boogie. Those dudes are making hundreds of millions. Insurance ain’t coming close to that.
These guys could just as easily get injured playing pro ball. Maybe they have better insurance then. I don't know.
He will be a professional basketball player and get a fair shake in the NBA if he goes now. The money will be made. He's tall, athletic, and can shoot 3's pretty well. He is physically what NBA teams are looking for in a modern stretch four.
Would 1 year of college help him out more than playing professionals next year? Who knows!
He may want a degree and like college. Malik Monk talks about how boring the NBA life was for him and he got lost in the shuffle.
Would 1 year of college help him out more than playing professionals next year? Who knows!
He may want a degree and like college. Malik Monk talks about how boring the NBA life was for him and he got lost in the shuffle.
Cal is making 8 mil. and he needs to tell these guys they're staying! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
Exactly - he’s so young and waiting a year on the NBA would allow him to become a much better player and more mature entering the League. Besides why not enjoy college another year and have a better chance at the FF and a national championship!
Not to mention who else decided to go this year. Miles Bridges announced he’s turning pro and I’d say some others will follow. Have to calculate which players that declare would potentially be drafted ahead of Knox pushing him down the list of draftees. I’m of the belief that he goes this year but would love to have him back. We always hear the lip service when guy’s say “I may come back for another year” when we all know they’re as good as gone. With Knox, I actually believe it’s not a foregone conclusion, however I believe he stays in the draft and goes this year. Would love to be wrong.
No, dude. You're the one that needs to stop. Nobody on here gives two ***** or ***** what you think. Fact check that.
Not really. You can get insurance for a possible injury and you know the family will do that. Knox comes from a very, very comfortable lifestyle. He does not need to buy his mother a house. He is living comfortable and is one of the most fortunate young men on this earth. Playing basketball for the University of Kentucky has no equal not even the pros.
So why not come back, season your game and go to the top of the draft rather than the middle.
Insurance was discussed a few posts up. Insurance is not covering a decent NBA career. It just isn’t. AD is making 100’s of millions and there is no insurance policy he would have been able to take out at 18 years old that would match his overall earnings. It helps, but not the same.
But the point is he is not in need of financial help. Why not be a college player and improve your game. Be NBA ready. He is one of the youngest players in college basketball. A little more seasoning will go a long way to making him an NBA great. He is not really ready now so why not let Coach Cal and Coach Payne work with him another year. Not being a one and done is not a sign of failure. It is a sign of wanting to mature and improve.
If you are talking about insurance that comes into play when a potential draft pick is injured to the point of never getting to play again, you are correct. Most injuries are not that type but, are instead one that may cause you to drop in draft status, like a Vanderbilt. A high level player can economically recover from that. Happens regularly.
Risk of injury is a stupid reason to go. A college player like Knox can take out a 10million dollar policy in college. If Knox goes from 13 range to top 5 he stands to make 2 million more guaranteed money per year. That’s 6 million more! So he can take a policy, play a college schedule, be on the floor get accolades and recongnition, leave a legacy and get better and stronger. Go to the draft in 2019 and make more money over the long run. 1 less year is not 1 year less in earnings.
Yes there is the injury risk. But that is probably around 5%< chance, this is the biggest reason to jump for many.
While you do lose a year of income, you also increase your income over the following years. Which would you rather have (if you weren't in dire need now):
$2, $2, $2, $8, $8, $8, $8 or
$0, $3, $3, $3, $10, $10, $10, $10?
Your total is $1 more in the bottom scenario over the first 7 years, and you still have an 8th year guaranteed. This assumes he can improve his draft position by 5-8 spots, and that he will be more prepared and thus get a slightly better 2nd contract.
Haven’t read the whole thread but can’t these kids still get something like ten millions n in insurance against a career effecting injury.
Come back Kevin and Bring SGA with you! I'm selfish and Idc
I feel the exact same way.
It's in our best interest, why would we think anything else?
Loved when WCS came back because he loved college. Be a kid a little longer Kevin and come back and go out a Natty Champ and a top 5 pick.
One risk for these kids is if the NBA starts to allow kids in the Class of '19 to be drafted right away. That would make the '19 draft a lot more crowded.
They could get injured in a simple pick up game
There are no guarantees it won’t happen
I think it helps Kevin that his family is fine financially so it’s not strictly a money decision for him
True. But all the money in the world may not replace being a young athlete enjoying college life.
Yes, it "can", but I can think of a few past players who would have made out better getting paid insurance money in a body cast.
Well for starters.. He's projected in the lottery, not in the 15-20 range. And yes, he can very well climb into the top10 next year, I can't see any scenario where Knox is taken top 5.
He's much closer to his draft ceiling than his draft floor.
He's much closer to his draft ceiling than his draft floor.
Interesting. You can’t see ANY scenario where Knox is drafted top 5? Why is that?