Transfer Portal

[DukeCorey21]

Most of Duke’s players make their money in NIL from outside sources/endorsements. Players such as Flagg and the Boozer twins this year. That saves Duke a ton of money to spend on the rest of their roster. Even in the article you attached for Flagg NIL, it stated he signed two huge contracts with New Balance and Fanatics that covered majority of his NIL. The Boozer twins had similar deals but just not as big.

 

[denverexpat]

Let’s just agree that Duke has a top 10 Nil payroll. Which isn’t as huge as Kentuckys $22m last season, and they went nowhere. It isn’t just about Nil, it’s also about balancing the roster and having experienced rotation players. I know better than anyone, Because at UCLA we have had a flawed roster for several years now. Regardless of how much we spent. So I’m an expert in analyzing flawed roster construction. Dukes has been way better. But in my opinion, Duke needs to add more experienced rotation players through the transfer portal, and or hang onto developing solid players like Khamenia till they’re juniors and seniors. Or both. This isn’t meant as a knock on Duke at all. If anything, props to Duke it’s the premier college bball program In the country. But they spend plenty of money. Most top college programs do.

Self-identifying as an expert in anything is a red flag, but you do share the consensus of the majority of posters on here: identifying what our rosters have lacked over the past 4 years under JS. It's not rocket science and does not lead to expertise; it just shows the ability to compare successful NC-winning teams with those that fail at the final hurdle. And i would say, money NOT well spent in NIL.

 

[bullcitygamer]

like what denverexpat stated, "calling yourself an expert" is a red flag. Also, if you are going to post on here don't tell lies. Duke lost to Houston in the Final 4 in 2025, not Florida. Also, the National Champions Michigan lost to Duke when both teams were 100% healthy 6 weeks before Michigan cut the nets down this season.

I know things have been rough at UCLA in recent years when it comes to Men's College hoops, but no need to come over to the Duke board and spew lies.

 

[AcnYoda]

Self-identifying as an expert in anything is a red flag, but you do share the consensus of the majority of posters on here: identifying what our rosters have lacked over the past 4 years under JS. It's not rocket science and does not lead to expertise; it just shows the ability to compare successful NC-winning teams with those that fail at the final hurdle. And i would say, money NOT well spent in NIL.

Yes, I don’t know if expert is the appropriate word, better word would be a very experienced when it comes to watching a poorly constructed roster, because we have had one every year for multiple years.
Duke has one of the most talented rosters that money can buy. I would pay almost anything to have had boozer or flagg or Knueppel on our roster. Talent overcomes almost anything. But based on my experience, I find that Natty winning teams generally have talent plus multiple year players who have been in the program for a while. If a college team has a lot of one and Dones every year, it’s harder to build that chemistry that championship teams often have. And it’s hard harder for fans to connect with and fall in love with one and done players who come and go so quickly. I prefer the days when teams could keep their players for three and four years. Today’s turnstile college basketball is for the birds. I did not come here to post any lies. If you can point out to me what I was incorrect about., I will make sure not to make the same mistake twice. I have been respectful to your board and Duke bball. My believe based on everything that I’ve read that Duke has a top five or top 10 NIL budget was I believed to be common knowledge. If I was incorrect about that. My bad. But it isn’t a bad thing to have a big Nil. Cronin just said recently he would love to have an extra $5 million in Nil.

 

[sheyduke]

Yes, I don’t know if expert is the appropriate word, better word would be a very experienced when it comes to watching a poorly constructed roster, because we have had one every year for multiple years.
Duke has one of the most talented rosters that money can buy. I would pay almost anything to have had boozer or flagg or Knueppel on our roster. Talent overcomes almost anything. But based on my experience, I find that Natty winning teams generally have talent plus multiple year players who have been in the program for a while. If a college team has a lot of one and Dones every year, it’s harder to build that chemistry that championship teams often have. And it’s hard harder for fans to connect with and fall in love with one and done players who come and go so quickly. I prefer the days when teams could keep their players for three and four years. Today’s turnstile college basketball is for the birds. I did not come here to post any lies. If you can point out to me what I was incorrect about., I will make sure not to make the same mistake twice. I have been respectful to your board and Duke bball. My believe based on everything that I’ve read that Duke has a top five or top 10 NIL budget was I believed to be common knowledge. If I was incorrect about that. My bad. But it isn’t a bad thing to have a big Nil. Cronin just said recently he would love to have an extra $5 million in Nil.

That’s why a cap should be put out there to keep from over paying . The issue with Duke will always be how do you get top transfer portal players to want to play with top incoming freshman . Then Do you risk waiting to recruit the portal and back away from five star freshman . IMO, portal players are no different then one and done’s both ate only likely on campus for six months until they can bounce to the league or bounce to their next team .

 

[AcnYoda]

That’s why a cap should be put out there to keep from over paying . The issue with Duke will always be how do you get top transfer portal players to want to play with top incoming freshman . Then Do you risk waiting to recruit the portal and back away from five star freshman . IMO, portal players are no different then one and done’s both ate only likely on campus for six months until they can bounce to the league or bounce to their next team .

Yes a cap would help balance things more. No school should be allowed to spend $22m like Kentucky did this past season while virtually everyone else is 1/2 of that amount or less.

I’m guessing there will ultimately be a cap of some kind instituted. In the meantime, it’s a crazy bidding war for talented kids and transfers every year. Duke lands for of them than anyone else. So I’m jealous.

 

[bullcitygamer]

well at least know what you are talking about with your posts. Saying Duke lost to Florida in 2025 in the Final 4 is a starter. Also, the whole thing about Duke one and done players not having loyalty to Duke is hog wash. You constantly see Duke One and Done Players returning to Duke during the season and summer. Faulting the one and done players for pursuing a life-long dream and declaring for the NBA is similar to holding yourself back from going after a job that improves your quality of life and increases your pay.

 

[sheyduke]

well at least know what you are talking about with your posts. Saying Duke lost to Florida in 2025 in the Final 4 is a starter. Also, the whole thing about Duke one and done players not having loyalty to Duke is hog wash. You constantly see Duke One and Done Players returning to Duke during the season and summer. Faulting the one and done players for pursuing a life-long dream and declaring for the NBA is similar to holding yourself back from going after a job that improves your quality of life and increases your pay.

Well said

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Yes, I don’t know if expert is the appropriate word, better word would be a very experienced when it comes to watching a poorly constructed roster, because we have had one every year for multiple years.
Duke has one of the most talented rosters that money can buy. I would pay almost anything to have had boozer or flagg or Knueppel on our roster. Talent overcomes almost anything. But based on my experience, I find that Natty winning teams generally have talent plus multiple year players who have been in the program for a while. If a college team has a lot of one and Dones every year, it’s harder to build that chemistry that championship teams often have. And it’s hard harder for fans to connect with and fall in love with one and done players who come and go so quickly. I prefer the days when teams could keep their players for three and four years. Today’s turnstile college basketball is for the birds. I did not come here to post any lies. If you can point out to me what I was incorrect about., I will make sure not to make the same mistake twice. I have been respectful to your board and Duke bball. My believe based on everything that I’ve read that Duke has a top five or top 10 NIL budget was I believed to be common knowledge. If I was incorrect about that. My bad. But it isn’t a bad thing to have a big Nil. Cronin just said recently he would love to have an extra $5 million in Nil.

Wait... are you saying that having a lot of one-and-dones results in big roster changes from year to year? Are you sure about that? How do you figure?

 

[AcnYoda]

Wait... are you saying that having a lot of one-and-dones results in big roster changes from year to year? Are you sure about that? How do you figure?

Yeah one and dones = they leave after one season, lol. And if they’re really talented, like Flagg, Boozer, Knueppel, Burries, Peat, Wagler, and other, they’re great. But a lot of these kids aren’t ready for primetine as freshmen, like Khamenia and Aristode at AZ
Let’s just say that these guys got paid half a million to million dollars for their freshman years where they did next to nothing, and now one or both are going to transfer and contribute elsewhere, in fact, the word on the street is Aristode Has a $3m offer now.

Well, there is no way to build chemistry if you lose almost all of your elite high ceiling freshmen. So bring in transfers too, guys who are great college players, but not really high ceiling future pro’s, these guys are the programs Glue guys. When those players are juniors and seniors and they’re playing alongside Flagg, Boozer, Burries, Peat and Knueppel, now you’re in business, and can win a natty. This hasn’t been the case enough at Duke. It’s one and done central. And that’s huge.

Now add a few longer term multiple year solid rotation players, and not next season but the year after, Duke can win another Natty. even with Scheyer who I’m not super impressed with he’s fine. He’s a good but not elite coach in my humble opinion. On par with a Cronin, Underwood, Oats, etc.

 

[Mac9192]

I won't complain if Caleb, Sarr, Pat, and Cayden return. I like them, but they are only role players. I don't see Duke as a contender unless we get a few really good transfers.

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Yeah one and dones = they leave after one season, lol. And if they’re really talented, like Flagg, Boozer, Knueppel, Burries, Peat, Wagler, and other, they’re great. But a lot of these kids aren’t ready for primetine as freshmen, like Khamenia and Aristode at AZ
Let’s just say that these guys got paid half a million to million dollars for their freshman years where they did next to nothing, and now one or both are going to transfer and contribute elsewhere, in fact, the word on the street is Aristode Has a $3m offer now.

Well, there is no way to build chemistry if you lose almost all of your elite high ceiling freshmen. So bring in transfers too, guys who are great college players, but not really high ceiling future pro’s, these guys are the programs Glue guys. When those players are juniors and seniors and they’re playing alongside Flagg, Boozer, Burries, Peat and Knueppel, now you’re in business, and can win a natty. This hasn’t been the case enough at Duke. It’s one and done central. And that’s huge.

Now add a few longer term multiple year solid rotation players, and not next season but the year after, Duke can win another Natty. even with Scheyer who I’m not super impressed with he’s fine. He’s a good but not elite coach in my humble opinion. On par with a Cronin, Underwood, Oats, etc.

You seriously think a good team has a roster of mixed skillsets, pro prospects, and experience levels? lol Why?

 

[JimboSlice00]

Let’s just agree that Duke has a top 10 Nil payroll. Which isn’t as huge as Kentuckys $22m last season, and they went nowhere. It isn’t just about Nil, it’s also about balancing the roster and having experienced rotation players. I know better than anyone, Because at UCLA we have had a flawed roster for several years now. Regardless of how much we spent. So I’m an expert in analyzing flawed roster construction. Dukes has been way better. But in my opinion, Duke needs to add more experienced rotation players through the transfer portal, and or hang onto developing solid players like Khamenia till they’re juniors and seniors. Or both. This isn’t meant as a knock on Duke at all. If anything, props to Duke it’s the premier college bball program In the country. But they spend plenty of money. Most top college programs do.

Not sure if you’re a Kentucky fan or not but man that program is the Dallas Cowboys of college hoops. What was once a great program has fallen so far that no NIL $ can fix- look no further than last year.

 

[JimboSlice00]

I won't complain if Caleb, Sarr, Pat, and Cayden return. I like them, but they are only role players. I don't see Duke as a contender unless we get a few really good transfers.

I agree here. Getting Pat back I assume is priority #1 as I think he fits perfectly with Williams coming in but I think they need a big time slash in the portal and that splash needs to be a high volume scorer.

 

[AcnYoda]

Not sure if you’re a Kentucky fan or not but man that program is the Dallas Cowboys of college hoops. What was once a great program has fallen so far that no NIL $ can fix- look no further than last year.

No I don’t like Kentucky I’m a Ucla fan. I think Pope is doing a BAD job, he’ll be replaced within 6-12 months, 100%. Maybe we can get Kentucky to take
Cronin: )) everyone wins.

 

[sheyduke]

The portal closes on the 21 so we will see what happens .

 

[AcnYoda]

You seriously think a good team has a roster of mixed skillsets, pro prospects, and experience levels? lol Why?

Yes Duke is typically loaded with lots of talented freshmen. Too many in my opinion, unless they stay and develop, I think it’s tough for any team to win when led by freshmen. We just saw AZ get smoked by a more experienced team.

for the impressive amount of talent that Duke adds every year, they should have a Natty or 2 in the last 10 years, Kentucky too. Thats why Pope is gonna get replaced. He isn’t a good Fit there.

 

[Icyup]

Come with that same energy at that time with your 10th total post made on the board. What a warm welcome you deserve!

You seem like a great guy. Nice to meet you!

 

[Icyup]

Didn’t see it but that’s why I don’t understand all this Rippey anointing. It’s not a strong HS class and he’s not even rated in the top 10.

But he’s a NJ point guard!

 

[duke0527]

I won't complain if Caleb, Sarr, Pat, and Cayden return. I like them, but they are only role players. I don't see Duke as a contender unless we get a few really good transfers.

agreed. And that's what I've been trying to say without demeaning the current players. After the last two years, I find it hard to believe Jon wouldn't put together a roster he knows can contend. A bad year (by Duke standards) doesn't make a lot of sense to me at the moment. We'll have to wait and see. I was ok with Nik leaving because I assumed it meant a more established vet would be coming in. If that's not the case, I'd be fairly ticked they didn't retain him.

 

[Pirateman0618]

So from a few sources that Nik may come back to Duke it is not off the table. Apparently he won't be back if both Sarr and Evans return but if one and/or both leave he will be back with Duke.

 

[denverexpat]

Yes Duke is typically loaded with lots of talented freshmen. Too many in my opinion, unless they stay and develop, I think it’s tough for any team to win when led by freshmen. We just saw AZ get smoked by a more experienced team.

for the impressive amount of talent that Duke adds every year, they should have a Natty or 2 in the last 10 years, Kentucky too. Thats why Pope is gonna get replaced. He isn’t a good Fit there.

You've made some astute points and i appreciate your humility regarding your own program. You are also correct on what a good Championship squad looks like, regardless of what some believe on this board. I think if you were a Duke fan, the majority of us would agree with most of your observations

 

[Ghost of Dattier]

Yes Duke is typically loaded with lots of talented freshmen. Too many in my opinion, unless they stay and develop, I think it’s tough for any team to win when led by freshmen. We just saw AZ get smoked by a more experienced team.

for the impressive amount of talent that Duke adds every year, they should have a Natty or 2 in the last 10 years, Kentucky too. Thats why Pope is gonna get replaced. He isn’t a good Fit there.

Are you for real? You think more experienced college players are important?