Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

#402      
#Illini Kofi Cockburn played for the Hiroshima Dragonflies this season, who went 31-29.

Cockburn averaged 17 PPG, 9.7 rebounds and shot 60% from the field.

Kofi, who's just 26 years old, can likely be a dominant international professional for YEARS.

Kofi made ~850k (gross) this year. He was the top paid player in the league. The only places that would pay better are NBA, NIL (NCAA), Russian (VTB, SuperLeague), and maybe EuroLeague if he got a near top of league contract.
 
#404      
I think he will get more time on the court. I think it depends what the Bucks decide to do. Do they build around Herro or are they shipping him off to a place like Detroit? Do they hold on to Ware? Either way, I'd think KJ stays with the Bucks and plays quite a bit. The Bucks could potentially rebound quite fast. Some nice picks this year and if Giannis doesn't age gracefully and Miami scuffle, some more of those picks could be good ones for them. I'm not sure how the future draft picks rules work. I thought the rules for draft picks expire after the 28/9 season.
I think this is good for KJ as far as getting on the court. If Ware continue to trend upward and Herro sticks, it's not the worst team I've seen.
I think Ware is the most valuable piece the Bucks got tbh.

7 foot tall and long armed 22 year old center that can rim run and knock down an open shot while being a good rebounder and solid rim protector.

Tanking has been immensely devalued so I would guess they keep the hometown kid in Herro and try to build around him as the young guy develop.

They now have Kasparis, Burries, Ament, plus 4 more first round picks coming in the next two years. Then see what they have with those guys and younger guys like Rollins and Ware.
 
#413      
That's a crowded (and talented) backcourt for Ayo to get time in - let alone TSJ.

Can AnT, LaMelo and Ayo all play heavy minutes together?

And totally surprised they didn’t throw TSJ into that trade. Shows they value him.
 
#418      
LMAO they just traded LaMelo for Naz and 1 first round pick. Charlotte being Charlotte :ROFLMAO:
They do create 40.7M trade exception, largest in league history.

Also have the second most 1st round picks in the league.

The swaps seem worthless, because MINN will end up better those years.
 
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#419      
I think there’s some bigger Lamelo fans in here than me.

It could be just Charlotte, but I think he’s a loser. Career 41% shooter. Never gets to the line. Makes baffling wreckless plays and you’re on the hook for $43 million a year.

If I’m Charlotte, I want the ball in Kon’s hands more. I also wouldn’t count out those pick swaps being valuable if Edwards decides to leave
 
#420      
For my 2K27 dreams.I hope that the timber wolves give georgie a shot as a bench forward minutes so I could build my super illinois team
 
#422      
I think there’s some bigger Lamelo fans in here than me.

It could be just Charlotte, but I think he’s a loser. Career 41% shooter. Never gets to the line. Makes baffling wreckless plays and you’re on the hook for $43 million a year.

If I’m Charlotte, I want the ball in Kon’s hands more. I also wouldn’t count out those pick swaps being valuable if Edwards decides to leave
It makes sense as a non hornets fan...not having to deal with the Ball family drama seems like a plus and not paying Ball 55M a year with his injury history.

I'd be a bit deflated as Charlotte fan given how they finished the end of the season- "From Jan. 1 to the end of the regular season, the Hornets had the top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense."

I don't think Kon's value is as a high volume ball handler, hasn't had higher than 22% usg in college or pros, I think it's more likely that we're about to see a lot more Brandon Miller & Coby White which as a Bulls fan seems ..iffy.

As a wolves fan, I'd probably rather Jaylen Brown.
 
#423      
Charlotte putting together some interesting pieces. Add some size with Weinbach and Reid, along wit Christian Anderson to Kon, Miller, Bridges. Don know if they’ll bring Coby White back.
 
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