I agree with this ^.
Yes, NIL does change it somewhat, could come solely for the check, but I believe players good enough to play WANT to PLAY and not spend 35 of 40 minutes on the bench, and can get comparable (even if not quite as much) elsewhere where they would play significant minutes.
200min / 15players = 13.33 min/player. You KNOW the best 5 are going to play at least half the game, which drops the MPG to 10 for the remaining 10 guys. If those top 5 play 25mpg, that drops to 7.5mpg for the remaining 10. Even during the Platoon season (yeah, I know the Platoon only lasted 30-40% of the season due to Poythress injury) the top 5 averaged 25mpg. Same for Pitino's DEEP 96 team. If the 2nd best 5 play 10mpg, that leaves just 2.5mpg for the last 5.
I think adding Lil' Hawthorne was more a gesture & incentive to his brother (to stay this year & next year), while at the same time giving us a practice player, who know maybe by SR year can contribute.