Chad Ford's Draft comments about UK players

[WildMoon]

1. Kentucky Wildcats

Potential lottery picks: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Fr.; Willie Cauley-Stein, F/C, Jr.
Potential first-rounders: Devin Booker, SG, Fr.; Trey Lyles, F, Fr.; Dakari Johnson, C, So.
Potential second-rounders: Andrew Harrison, G, So.; Aaron Harrison, SG, So.; Alex Poythress, F, Jr.
Wait until next year: Tyler Ulis, PG, Fr.; Marcus Lee, PF, So.

It's no surprise to find that a team that is 34-0 and embarking on what could be a historic undefeated season is loaded with NBA prospects. However, I think many would be surprised to learn that Kentucky has just two surefire lottery picks.

Towns is strongly in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the draft despite averaging less than 10 PPG for Kentucky. He's big, mobile, can score both in the paint and facing the basket, and he's proved to be an elite shot-blocker and rebounder this season. Prospects like him don't come along often.

Cauley-Stein is still a work in progress offensively, but he's one of the most unique defensive prospects to come along in a while. It's not an exaggeration to say that Cauley-Stein, despite standing 7 feet tall, can completely shut down all five positions on the floor. There are 30 NBA coaches who want to sign up for that. He should fall somewhere between picks Nos. 6 and 12.


Two more freshmen, Booker and Lyles, are on the lottery bubble. Booker is widely regarded by scouts as the best 3-point shooter in the draft. Scouts are hoping he turns into a Klay Thompson-type player down the road. Lyles also has a chance to go in the late lottery, as a combo forward with a killer midrange jumper. They're both in the 12-to-20 range.

The rest of Kentucky's top eight players are all draftable, though none project to be stars in the pros. Johnson has the size and body to be a terrific backup center and could sneak into the first round. The Harrison twins would be much higher if their shot selection and shooting percentages were better. Andrew, especially, has played much better toward the end of the season, and another strong tournament could push him back into consideration for the first round. He has great size for his position and is a terrific defender. Poythress has been injured most of the season and faces a tough choice about whether to return to school for his senior year or head to the NBA draft without a guarantee he'll be drafted.

The two players who should be locks to stick around are Ulis and Lee. Ulis' high basketball IQ, speed and tenacity on defense make him attractive despite his small stature. He's a potential first-rounder in 2016. Lee has tons of NBA potential, but he's the rawest player of the group and a long way from contributing in the NBA.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite_rivals]

Still dont see how Booker is a surefire 1st round/lotto and Drew or Aaron isnt? Sure The Harriosons havent shot it as well but can score off the bounce and handle the ball better. Oh well hope they all make it...

 

[akaukswoosh]

Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

Booker is one of the 10 best 3 pt shooters i have ever seen . He is a freshman and goes thru slumps and doesn't also take the shots he should and vice versa but i have no doubt in the NBA he will shoot 50% from 3. I think he comes back and shoots around 52% next year.

 

[WildMoon]

I think Andrew is one that can really shoot up in draft board.

One good comment that was mentioned in the scouting is "Terrific defender."

He is 6'6" point guard. It's insane the size and his capable ball handling skill.

His FG% has steadily gone up recently. His 3 point field goal % is now at 38.8%. He needs to get up to 40% mark.

The issue with Aaron is he started out SOOOOO terrible in terms of field goal percentage. All the numbers have gone up, but his 3 point field goal percentage is still way too low.

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by AnarchoNeoLuddite:
Still dont see how Booker is a surefire 1st round/lotto and Drew or Aaron isnt? Sure The Harriosons havent shot it as well but can score off the bounce and handle the ball better. Oh well hope they all make it...

When you dive on the numbers, its easy to see why. Booker is more efficient from everywhere, especially from the beyond the arc. Booker is slightly more athletic than the two as well.


Unless Aaron gets completely hot from beyond the arc in the tourney, similar to last season, he needs to comeback. His stock is at its worst, and its looking likely he goes undrafted.

 

[Xception]

I'm going to wait until he changes the projections before I comment .

 

[Indy Cat]

How political is this lottery pick selection? If it comes down to a choice between a Kentucky player (KAT) or a Duke player (Okafor)............it's concerning.

 

[Indy Cat]

Originally posted by Indy Cat:

How political is this lottery pick selection? If it comes down to a choice between a Kentucky player (KAT) or a Duke player (Okafor)............it's concerning.

Sorry, I'm thinking of Player of the year

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Lol no way in hell Aaron goes undrafted. He and Andrew both will go before the 45th pick easy. Whoever gets them in the second round will get a steal. They both have first round talent. If Andrew continues to play like he had then he is the best PG in the country. Aaron started shooting better in the SEC tournament and hopefully that carries over. I can very much see Aaron end up being an Aaron Afflalo or Wesley Matthews. Aaron has the potential to be a good shooter. We have all seen it.

Booker isn't the best shooter in the country IMO and for sure isn't one of the ten best shooters I've ever seen and wouldn't be to anybody until they just started watching basketball in the last year or two. Devin has potential to be the best shooter in the country but isn't there yet. The best shooter doesn't start the year 1-11 from 3 and also shoot around 27% from 3 in the month of February. Yeah he had that unreal month or so stretch but had been pretty average other than that. I think we should revisit the Lamb vs Booker thread and re-ask the question. At the time Booker was still hot and I said if he could even come close to shooting like he has throughout the year he would be the best in UK history and better than Lamb. I now have no doubts that Lamb is the better shooter of the two. Doron NEVER had a slump at Kentucky. He shot it at around 48% consistently throughout the year. I'd much rather have a consistent 48% thru the year than 20% for a month here, 65% the next month or so, and then 28% the next month or so.

Devin needs to return for a second year IMO. I love him and think he's great, actually one of my favorite players and very smart, but he's not Klay, atleast not right now. If he returns and shoots consistently all year, improves defensively, and shows that he can rebound then he can be a top 5-10 pick.

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by ZaytovenCat:
Lol no way in hell Aaron goes undrafted. He and Andrew both will go before the 45th pick easy. Whoever gets them in the second round will get a steal. They both have first round talent. If Andrew continues to play like he had then he is the best PG in the country. Aaron started shooting better in the SEC tournament and hopefully that carries over. I can very much see Aaron end up being an Aaron Afflalo or Wesley Matthews. Aaron has the potential to be a good shooter. We have all seen it.

Aaron efficiency has dropped off considerably. DraftExpress doesn't have him on their top 100 ranking. DraftNet dropped him off 2-round mock.


Affalo is a good comparison for Aaron, and i could see him following a similar path, but right now he's not in a good position to get drafted.

 

[Gary4UK]

Originally posted by caneintally:

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

Booker is one of the 10 best 3 pt shooters i have ever seen . He is a freshman and goes thru slumps and doesn't also take the shots he should and vice versa but i have no doubt in the NBA he will shoot 50% from 3. I think he comes back and shoots around 52% next year.

I agree, Booker is as smooth as butter..... At the next level he will get even better, because that is his job..... Practice and games are all NBA players do through the season and his shot will be like some of the best shooters in the NBA.... Almost perfect...

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by caneintally:

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

Booker is one of the 10 best 3 pt shooters i have ever seen . He is a freshman and goes thru slumps and doesn't also take the shots he should and vice versa but i have no doubt in the NBA he will shoot 50% from 3. I think he comes back and shoots around 52% next year.

This has only been done 6 times in NBA history.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Caneintally how sure you about Booker shooting 50% from 3 in the NBA. I'm always up for sucker bets.

There is exactly one NBA player shooting over 50% on 3's in the NBA this year.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[BBBLazing]

Originally posted by ZaytovenCat:
Lol no way in hell Aaron goes undrafted. He and Andrew both will go before the 45th pick easy. Whoever gets them in the second round will get a steal. They both have first round talent. If Andrew continues to play like he had then he is the best PG in the country. Aaron started shooting better in the SEC tournament and hopefully that carries over. I can very much see Aaron end up being an Aaron Afflalo or Wesley Matthews. Aaron has the potential to be a good shooter. We have all seen it.

Booker isn't the best shooter in the country IMO and for sure isn't one of the ten best shooters I've ever seen and wouldn't be to anybody until they just started watching basketball in the last year or two. Devin has potential to be the best shooter in the country but isn't there yet. The best shooter doesn't start the year 1-11 from 3 and also shoot around 27% from 3 in the month of February. Yeah he had that unreal month or so stretch but had been pretty average other than that. I think we should revisit the Lamb vs Booker thread and re-ask the question. At the time Booker was still hot and I said if he could even come close to shooting like he has throughout the year he would be the best in UK history and better than Lamb. I now have no doubts that Lamb is the better shooter of the two. Doron NEVER had a slump at Kentucky. He shot it at around 48% consistently throughout the year. I'd much rather have a consistent 48% thru the year than 20% for a month here, 65% the next month or so, and then 28% the next month or so.

Devin needs to return for a second year IMO. I love him and think he's great, actually one of my favorite players and very smart, but he's not Klay, atleast not right now. If he returns and shoots consistently all year, improves defensively, and shows that he can rebound then he can be a top 5-10 pick.

I agree with this statement. I still am concerned with his ability to play against NBA point guards. They are quicker, and plenty of them are as big. Don't see him competing night in and night out with the John Walls of the world. I hope I'm wrong. Think about this though. They are both sophomores. If they come back, they are progressing just as expected, maybe faster, than most college players. Their hype was just so high, everyone expected them to be lottery picks after freshman year. Tony Delk had a great NBA career, and wasn't ready after his sophomore year. Are either of them as good as Derek Anderson, who played all 4 years? I would love to see them return and improve as much this off season as they did last.


This post was edited on 3/16 8:46 PM by BBBLazing

 

[LineSkiCat]

Originally posted by 5iveStarRecruit:

Originally posted by caneintally:

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

Booker is one of the 10 best 3 pt shooters i have ever seen . He is a freshman and goes thru slumps and doesn't also take the shots he should and vice versa but i have no doubt in the NBA he will shoot 50% from 3. I think he comes back and shoots around 52% next year.

This has only been done 6 times in NBA history.

And 52% in college is still absurd. You're going to be disappointed. Very difficult for a power conference player to be in the top30 for 3pt%.. it usually goes to mid-majors or no-name colleges who have that one player that NO ONE can check..

If Booker hits 45% next year, I'll be ecstatic. 47.5% and I bet we go back-to-back..

 

[ukcatsfan1]

I say there will be more return than will leave!

I believe they like each other and school enough to do so!

And that is a Great Thing when it happens...

 

[Rhavic]

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

He definitely does. It's not completely based off of how well he's been shooting as of late (he sets at 45% and hasn't been himself, that's awfully good), but I'm sure they're basing some of it on his form. Kid has near-perfect shooting form, and NBA teams are willing to rely on that because with form like his, he will always carry a good overall percentage.
That said, I can see Booker staying or going. With Ulis being here, and Booker knowing that he can come back and improve exponentially, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
As of now though, he is definitely the top pure shooting guard if he were to enter the draft. Heard Calipari say that he's actually grown since he's been here as well. Somewhere between 6'7.5 - 6'8 now, which is very big for a SG, especially for one with his skill-set. Once he learns to use his size to his advantage, and he gets more comfortable putting the ball on the floor, he'll be an absolute force.

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:

Originally posted by Smashcat:
Right now Booker doesn't look like the best 3 point shooter in the draft. Curious to see how he shoots the next six.

He definitely does. It's not completely based off of how well he's been shooting as of late (he sets at 45% and hasn't been himself, that's awfully good), but I'm sure they're basing some of it on his form. Kid has near-perfect shooting form, and NBA teams are willing to rely on that because with form like his, he will always carry a good overall percentage.
That said, I can see Booker staying or going. With Ulis being here, and Booker knowing that he can come back and improve exponentially, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
As of now though, he is definitely the top pure shooting guard if he were to enter the draft. Heard Calipari say that he's actually grown since he's been here as well. Somewhere between 6'7.5 - 6'8 now, which is very big for a SG, especially for one with his skill-set. Once he learns to use his size to his advantage, and he gets more comfortable putting the ball on the floor, he'll be an absolute force.

I'm pretty sure this is false. Link?

If that was true, his stock would skyrocket.

 

[Poetax]

Originally posted by WildMoon:
1. Kentucky Wildcats

Potential lottery picks: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Fr.; Willie Cauley-Stein, F/C, Jr.
Potential first-rounders: Devin Booker, SG, Fr.; Trey Lyles, F, Fr.; Dakari Johnson, C, So.
Potential second-rounders: Andrew Harrison, G, So.; Aaron Harrison, SG, So.; Alex Poythress, F, Jr.
Wait until next year: Tyler Ulis, PG, Fr.; Marcus Lee, PF, So.

It's no surprise to find that a team that is 34-0 and embarking on what could be a historic undefeated season is loaded with NBA prospects. However, I think many would be surprised to learn that Kentucky has just two surefire lottery picks.

Towns is strongly in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the draft despite averaging less than 10 PPG for Kentucky. He's big, mobile, can score both in the paint and facing the basket, and he's proved to be an elite shot-blocker and rebounder this season. Prospects like him don't come along often.

Cauley-Stein is still a work in progress offensively, but he's one of the most unique defensive prospects to come along in a while. It's not an exaggeration to say that Cauley-Stein, despite standing 7 feet tall, can completely shut down all five positions on the floor. There are 30 NBA coaches who want to sign up for that. He should fall somewhere between picks Nos. 6 and 12.


Two more freshmen, Booker and Lyles, are on the lottery bubble. Booker is widely regarded by scouts as the best 3-point shooter in the draft. Scouts are hoping he turns into a Klay Thompson-type player down the road. Lyles also has a chance to go in the late lottery, as a combo forward with a killer midrange jumper. They're both in the 12-to-20 range.

The rest of Kentucky's top eight players are all draftable, though none project to be stars in the pros. Johnson has the size and body to be a terrific backup center and could sneak into the first round. The Harrison twins would be much higher if their shot selection and shooting percentages were better. Andrew, especially, has played much better toward the end of the season, and another strong tournament could push him back into consideration for the first round. He has great size for his position and is a terrific defender. Poythress has been injured most of the season and faces a tough choice about whether to return to school for his senior year or head to the NBA draft without a guarantee he'll be drafted.

The two players who should be locks to stick around are Ulis and Lee. Ulis' high basketball IQ, speed and tenacity on defense make him attractive despite his small stature. He's a potential first-rounder in 2016. Lee has tons of NBA potential, but he's the rawest player of the group and a long way from contributing in the NBA.

You have to remember there is only 14 lottery spots for the entire country, to have two for sure is really special because there are a lot of great players out there.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite_rivals]

Originally posted by 5iveStarRecruit:

Originally posted by AnarchoNeoLuddite:
Still dont see how Booker is a surefire 1st round/lotto and Drew or Aaron isnt? Sure The Harriosons havent shot it as well but can score off the bounce and handle the ball better. Oh well hope they all make it...

When you dive on the numbers, its easy to see why. Booker is more efficient from everywhere, especially from the beyond the arc. Booker is slightly more athletic than the two as well.


Unless Aaron gets completely hot from beyond the arc in the tourney, similar to last season, he needs to comeback. His stock is at its worst, and its looking likely he goes undrafted.

Respectfully disagree that Booker is more athletic. Have yet to see him finish a lob like Aaron. Or create off the dribble like either Twin. Still Book is athletic and fast end to end and will get stronger and such.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

I believe Willie has the most to gain in the Dance.
If Willie continues on his upward trend he could easily end up in the top 4-5 picks.

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by AnarchoNeoLuddite:

Originally posted by 5iveStarRecruit:

Originally posted by AnarchoNeoLuddite:
Still dont see how Booker is a surefire 1st round/lotto and Drew or Aaron isnt? Sure The Harriosons havent shot it as well but can score off the bounce and handle the ball better. Oh well hope they all make it...

When you dive on the numbers, its easy to see why. Booker is more efficient from everywhere, especially from the beyond the arc. Booker is slightly more athletic than the two as well.


Unless Aaron gets completely hot from beyond the arc in the tourney, similar to last season, he needs to comeback. His stock is at its worst, and its looking likely he goes undrafted.

Respectfully disagree that Booker is more athletic. Have yet to see him finish a lob like Aaron. Or create off the dribble like either Twin. Still Book is athletic and fast end to end and will get stronger and such.

Booker has more/speed quicks than Aaron. If you notice everytime Aaron is on a fast break, the defender always catches up to him. its because he needs to gather himself before he dunks it.

Booker doesn't have that problem. Its part of the reason he's finishing in transition better. He faster in a straight line and is able to dunk without having to stop-and-gather.

 

[BBallin23]

Aaron WILL get drafted, don't listen to the uninformed

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Originally posted by RondoBaller21:
Aaron WILL get drafted, don't listen to the uninformed

Aware me on how I'm uniformed. Seems to be the opposite.

Most respectable mocks don't even have him ranked anymore. His numbers are down.

I believe Aaron has NBA talent, thats why i want him to return. It wouldn't be right for him to risk leaving while his stock is at its worst. If he lights it up in the tourney, this may all change. But as of now it seems to be smart to be thinking about returning.
This post was edited on 3/16 9:33 PM by 5iveStarRecruit

 

[Big Blue 1977]

Take a screenshot with the date. This story will have all of their draft positions magically predicted correctly in a few months.

 

[CatinSA]

Originally posted by RondoBaller21:
Aaron WILL get drafted, don't listen to the uninformed

My link is the list of the current 2 guards in the Association.

Take off your fan goggles for a second, and think like a corporate NBA GM. You have no connection to Kentucky, you have no concerns about money, but you'll get fired if your team doesn't win.

Where on that list do you say "Aaron Harrison is a definite upgrade over the guy we currently have at this position"? A 6'6" 2-guard who's shooting .356 from the college 3-line doesn't move the meter.

I love Aaron. I think he's a badass Wildcat. That doesn't mean he's ready for the Association right now.

Current NBA Shooting Guards

 

[UKcatXXXL]

if Lyles and Booker were to return next season, both would be POY candidates and top 10 draft picks for that year's draft....................................

 

[WildMoon]

Originally posted by 5iveStarRecruit:

Booker has more/speed quicks than Aaron. If you notice everytime Aaron is on a fast break, the defender always catches up to him. its because he needs to gather himself before he dunks it.

Booker doesn't have that problem. Its part of the reason he's finishing in transition better. He faster in a straight line and is able to dunk without having to stop-and-gather.

You have to take into more account than athleticism to base your argument on "defender always catches up to him." There's more than just physicality in terms of fast break, like ball handling skill. Even stuff like lay up skills, etc.

Here are some measurement from UK Combine:
Max Vert: AH: 38" DB: 35.5"
Standing Vert: AH: 30.5" DB: 31"
3/4 Spring: AH: 3.2 DB: 3.23
Lane Agility: AH: 10.87s DB 10.08s
Shuttle Run: AH: 2.82s DB 2.71

Booker has really nice lateral athleticism, but straight speed and vertical is more towards Aaron.

Aaron has made nastier dunk this year, especially more recently the one handed catch from Andrew.

Height wise they both measured 6'6.25" but wingspan was better with Aaron at 6'8" versus 6'6.25"

Devin, i think, is the better skilled player. However, i have nothing to measure that value with. You say defender catches up more to Aaron, but that's because Aaron always slows down a lot more to make sure he scores. He seems to be overly focused on the defender. Devin just attacks the rim and makes it. That's a huge difference.

Also, Aaron has better steal rate at 1.2, while booker only has .5. That's huge difference, and a lot of time this is result of two things. 1. Anticipation and 2. Athleticism.

But the reason why Booker is so highly draftable is simply because NBA is moving towards 3 point shooting and their spacing. Booker is shooting at 43%, which isn't super great but with his size/ form / athleticism, and being one of the best in class makes him valuable.

 

[westerncat]

Originally posted by ukcatsfan2:
I say there will be more return than will leave!

I believe they like each other and school enough to do so!

And that is a Great Thing when it happens...

Would not surprise me to see Booker return. Heard somewhere that his Dad said he is not ready for the NBA.

 

[Blue Decade]

I don't care what the talking heads say about our players' draft positions, especially before our players have a chance to show what they can do at the end of the season against top competition in the NCAAT. We all know that Aaron Harrison is a March player. If they come out, both twins will be drafted. Andrew's draft stock is already on the rise, and Aaron's will soon be on the rise. When Calipari took Isaiah Briscoe's commitment, he was basically announcing to the world that he believes the twins will come out. My take. KAT, WCS, and Lyles are gone for sure. Booker and the twins are probably gone, final decisions pending. Dakari might think about coming back for another year but he will probably come out for the draft if his people are telling him that he will go in the 1st round. Ulis, Lee, Hawkins, and Poythress will come back. Willis can't get into a game to save his life, which reflects that he is not getting the job done in practice. I have a feeling that Willis may transfer out, but it is only a feeling at this point. Calipari will sign at least 3 more in April.

 

[YouKay]

Originally posted by CatinSA:

Originally posted by RondoBaller21:
Aaron WILL get drafted, don't listen to the uninformed

My link is the list of the current 2 guards in the Association.

Take off your fan goggles for a second, and think like a corporate NBA GM. You have no connection to Kentucky, you have no concerns about money, but you'll get fired if your team doesn't win.

Where on that list do you say "Aaron Harrison is a definite upgrade over the guy we currently have at this position"? A 6'6" 2-guard who's shooting .356 from the college 3-line doesn't move the meter.

I love Aaron. I think he's a badass Wildcat. That doesn't mean he's ready for the Association right now.

If you're Philadelphia, Kentucky's starting five would be an automatic upgrade over your entire starting five. Philly has 4 picks in this draft.

 

[gracetoyou]

Aaron Harrison us playing the best ball he's ever played in a UK uniform over the last couple weeks. We all know he can get hot from 3 but his mid-range jumpers off the dribble gave been deadly. He just looks really good.

Andrew is shooting the ball great also. I'm almost wondering if he'd be a better combo guard than a pure PG.

 

[dave5164]

What helped Booker is when we started in SEC Play and he was on fire hitting 4 or 5 3 point shots a night. At one time he was near 60% hitting 3's. If you would look at his 3 point shooting over last 10 to 12 games that 3 point average has really took a dive. He still can get his points at the mid range jumper and is also good driving in for layups. He is not taking as many 3 point shots since he starting missing in last 10 games. Don't take me wrong I am a big Devin Booker fan and I do think he is a great 3 point shooter and can flat out play! I would just love to see him around for another year with Ullis running the point. It would be nice to have Ullis, Booker, Lee, Lyles to come back and POY if he feels his senior year can get him in the 1st round of draft.

 

[CatinSA]

Originally posted by YouKay:

If you're Philadelphia, Kentucky's starting five would be an automatic upgrade over your entire starting five. Philly has 4 picks in this draft.

Do you even watch the NBA? Philly's not even the worst team in their own division.

On a pro level, Jason Richardson and Hollis Thompson are pretty solid, if unspectacular. Nerlens Noel is their starting center, with Joel Embiid down on the depth chart.

 

[SemperFiCat]

KAT, WCS, and maybe Lyles are the only first rounders. Everyone else needs to come back... and probably Lyles as well.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite_rivals]

Yeah on Philly..our boy Nerlens is having a HOF type of season defenisvley. He is the only bigman since Hakeem The Dream to have 4 steals in 4 straight games. And is averaging 2 steals per game on the season which has only been done by a big by a few select players.

 

[Tannerdad]

1. You do realize there are two rounds in the draft. I think at least one of the Harrisons will go in the second. They are both likely gone anyway.

2. Booker is not 6'8". LOL. And he is going in Round 1 and possibly lottery.

The NBA is going to rape this roster.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Blue Decade]

Originally posted by SemperFiCat:
KAT, WCS, and maybe Lyles are the only first rounders. Everyone else needs to come back... and probably Lyles as well.

Needs to come back means different things from different points of view. If you want to argue that freshmen and sophomore players could get marginally better by playing another season of college ball, no 1 can argue with that. But that is not how these decisions get made in most cases. If you ask whether a kid would rather make zero dollars or a million dollars in a particular year, that places a completely different context on the decision about whether to come back. Another part of the decision is whether coming back will improve a player's draft position, which is not necessarily the same thing as getting better. Most players who think they will be taken in the 1st round are gone. And even if they think they might fall to the 2nd round where money isn't guaranteed, it is sometimes better to pull the trigger. Poythress came back, look where it got him. The twins came back but it may not have helped their draft positions. Again, my take. KAT, WCS, Lyles gone. Dakari, Booker, and the twins probably gone. If Calipari thought there was a significant chance the twins will come back, he would not have taken Briscoe's commitment in November. I imagine he probably knows.

 

[CatinSA]

Originally posted by ukbob:
1. You do realize there are two rounds in the draft. I think at least one of the Harrisons will go in the second. They are both likely gone anyway.

2. Booker is not 6'8". LOL. And he is going in Round 1 and possibly lottery.

The NBA is going to rape this roster.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

1. Second round = no guaranteed money. It's STUPID to come out if you're projected second round.

2. Booker is a borderline lottery player, this is accurate.

The NBA likes 3 players on this roster at their current state of development. KAT, WCS, and Booker. Maybe Lyles. But the difference between the 15th pick and the 30th pick is $1.7 million vs. $900,000. It makes financial sense to come back if you think you can raise your stock. If guys like Dakari Johnson leave early because they're projected to go in the second round, they're getting bad advice.

The only guy who I ever supported coming out early for a second round deal was DeAndre Liggins, and that's because a. he had a child to support, and b. a 6'8" guy who can lock down 1-4 will always find a roster slot in the Association for a few years, so he was going to get paid.