NBA Draft
Not a surprise, but still nice to hear. People will you tell you I’m not exactly an optimist. This team can ABSOLUTELY win a national championship. Brad talks about it a lot. This year that is not some wild fantasy.
Ryllini
- Lombard
While I have no doubt this is the likely outcome, I'm surprised Andrej has dragged this process this long and has not announced by now..
FightinIllini30
Future insider
Does Andrejs return warrant a boom? Seems strange to give it one but it’s also a big get
And the "F Yeah!!!" girl
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The camp trying to find a way to justify to themselves going pro has been palpable this whole time.
Hold onto your butts.
At this point, for me, obviously I want him back, but if Lebron can talk the Lakers into taking a wildly underdeveloped Bronny with a first round pick, it wouldn't shock me if Peja tries to play that same card with Sacramento. It's good for marketing. That would be a terrible decision for Andrej, but when money is no object and there's generational wealth in the family, you can make these types of decisions and have it not negatively effect you 30 years from now.
I agree with LvillILL1 that he's gotten enough feedback to where it's a no brainer to go back to school. It might be hard to convince his old man of that.
I do agree with you with the fact that it's taking this long. I'm sure Peja is making all the calls and using all of the contacts that he has at his disposal. Would we all do that for our kids if we were in that same situation? Who knows.....
His decision, his life, we'll be fine either way.
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madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but we need to retire that gif.
I think you are just freaking yourself out about this.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
This is normal, guys that are even 1000% locked in to coming back always take almost all of the time at their disposal in the process.
Hell, Ben two years ago withdrew on the day of the deadline when he wasn't even a combine guy.
The expectation in Illini-land is that Stojakovic will announce his return soon. I'm pretty sure he has already told the important people.
But, his dad an agent have been working hard to secure a rookie exception guarantee. That's why there is no announcement yet with two days to go. Andrej wants to go pro, as I've posted all along. This has never been the slam dunk that media has portrayed it to be.
But, his dad an agent have been working hard to secure a rookie exception guarantee. That's why there is no announcement yet with two days to go. Andrej wants to go pro, as I've posted all along. This has never been the slam dunk that media has portrayed it to be.
To follow up (and final thoughts before this is finalized):
It's the dream of everyone to go pro. Andrej is no different. In the middle of the process, it got a little bit more interesting than expected, but never was hugely in question on him actually leaving.
As said above, the expectation is he announces his return soon. Very confident in this.
It's the dream of everyone to go pro. Andrej is no different. In the middle of the process, it got a little bit more interesting than expected, but never was hugely in question on him actually leaving.
As said above, the expectation is he announces his return soon. Very confident in this.
I can see why he's in his own head here and it's understandable. There is literally NOBODY that would endorse him staying in the draft. It would be an awful decision for any player................that doesn't have a superstar father that doesn't have an NBA franchise under his thumb. That combined with being the son of a father that's got a net value of $45M-$50M takes any/all pressure of him. If he fails, Peja pulls the same strings in Greece. If he succeeds, then great.
While you're 1000000% right that it's crazy that anyone thinks it's a smart decision, but what other player at the Combine that considered a second round pick, at best, has a father that's a Basketball Hall of Famer? That would be the one reason for pause.
Is Drej a kid that wants to ride his dad's coattails or is he one that wants to earn the start of his career? I don't know him or the family, but I've seen dumber things done because of parents helicopter raising their kids. Happens all the time in baseball with HS players.
I get why, I am just telling you guys what is very likely about to happen.
In other news,
I am very interested in some of the more 50/50 decisions.
Meleek Thomas, Allen, Milan, and Tanner are all notable names. I expect Koa to stay in, even though I think he should come back. Heard Graves and Tounde are likely staying in as well.
Richmond, Andrej, and Fears all are guys that are widely expected back.
I am very interested in some of the more 50/50 decisions.
Meleek Thomas, Allen, Milan, and Tanner are all notable names. I expect Koa to stay in, even though I think he should come back. Heard Graves and Tounde are likely staying in as well.
Richmond, Andrej, and Fears all are guys that are widely expected back.
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Even if he were to get a rookie exception exemption, he would get less money than we are offering and would play in half empty stadiums in the G League. Whatever...
It could theoretically be around $2.3m per year, with 3 years guaranteed. He would go to the NBA under that kind of contract.
Very unlikely to happen, though, so you're probably right about the money. But he would think very hard about it if he was offered guaranteed money for 3 years under the rookie minimum.
On the flip side. Come back make a ton of money and work on your game. Then you can enter a historically weak 2027 draft.
Lebron pulled strings and got his kid selected in the 2nd round (55th overall), not the 1st. I think Peja is trying something similar, with assurance Drej would get an exception deal. Less likely to succeed on that front.
Go watch a few NBA playoff games and tell me how many non-shooters are getting run. He needs to come back and improve his shooting to get what he's looking for and imagine he realizes that too.
“5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, PG/SG, Illinois
The No. 5 pick might be the biggest pivot point of this draft, and it could reveal plenty about L.A.'s approach to the annual talent grab. Because there might be a best-player argument to be made here for Darius Acuff Jr. And there's almost certainly a best-fit label draped around Aday Mara, whose 7'3", 255-pound frame could immediately fill the void created by the deadline subtraction of Ivica Zubac.
With Wagler, though, the Clippers could see the convergence of both worlds.
With lead-guard creativity, off-guard shooting and big-guard size (6'6"), he might be regarded by many as the best player on the board. And since he should have significant off-ball value, he's probably the most natural fit with Darius Garland among this guard-heavy tier.”