If we were to manage to retain Tomi, Morez, and Will, that honestly would be one hell of a core to build around if we could do it. That said, I'd imagine NIL would be very high for those 3 pieces alone, and I think the question would be is how much we'd have available to build up the team around them especially considering that major donors probably aren't pleased right now. An experienced good 2 seems relatively low cost, but would we have enough for a good experienced PG?
Count me in the minority that wants Kylan back as well. Was a dog defensively earlier in the year. An offseason of him working on finishing around the hoop would help immensely.
lack of practice due to players being out and make-shift line ups?
Yeah, that’s probably some of the problem for sure.
I should have known to stop reading here.
Very few teams in the lottery are in a position to win now, and if they are they're probably trading that pick for a piece that will help them do it. When's the last time an NBA rookie was a major contributor on a championship team?
This is a bit backwards...not all, but the majority of lottery picks are taken on potential. And yes, everything about KJ and Will put them in the potential/development category and that's precisely what's so appealing about them. Just about every lottery pick last year was 19 or 20 years old... 19 and 20 year olds aren't coming into the NBA and moving the needle to any substantial degree for a franchise. Buzelis was taken by the Bulls this year at #11 and sent to the G-league to support his development. It wasn't a long stint, but that's not a super unusual circumstance. Also, most teams getting lottery picks are not in "win-now" mode.
There's so many scouts with varying opinions because I've also talked to a scout that said they don't trust his decision making and that his ball handling could be tighter despite having great NBA size. More specifically, they were concerned that his play in the pick and roll was too boom or bust and that he doesn't gauge appropriately when to just keep it in neutral to get a different action going.
That's exactly what I was thinking. The top half of the 1st round is almost all about potential, and the back half is about "win now" pieces. The Timberwolves didn't draft TSJ to be a 3-4 year project. They were anticipating that he would be close to an immediate contributor (and honestly should have been as he's started to show now).
Not sure how much Will's mom enjoys Champaign living.
Don't mistake realism for pessimism.
Not happening
That's quite literally exactly how the NBA treats it.
Yes, great info. The NBA wants really young talent, even if it’s raw. As Illinois has seen this year, NBA-level talent doesn’t necessarily translate into consistency and wins in college. Our program has to decide the best approach to roster construction and if we want to continue pursuing 1 & done guys or 3-4 year EDG’s (Dra, Morez). I’d like to see more of the latter to be consistent, have guys who are invested in the program and flat out win.
It's far from a done deal. Imo it will come down to Boswell vs DGL and who they want back more-because they are going to go get a couple of guards
dgl is an easy choice in that case, he has two more years and can really be a locker room leader and on the court as he stays longer. he also plays hard which is probably one of the most important things if not the most for me
DGL clearly just cares more and is also a higher ceiling on offense. how is this still a debate right now. Tomi and morez are guys you have to bring back and get veteran guards in the portal.
Can’t imagine he wants another year of this type of turmoil if he’s going to be a mid first rounder
I hear what you are saying and the reality is you are right, I did not say they would not get drafted... I said they are not ready and they are not.. Some club will draft them and pay out big dollars on the chance they will grow and develope into stars or solid contributors. It is good for Illinois if they get draft in most respects. I just think both could use another year of learning and NOT FROM TYLER...sorry @illini0440Alright, I hate to be the forum police, but it's time. And Big Jack...this post is not just directed at you. Moving forward, any poster who puts on their NBA executive hat and says KJ & Will aren't worthy of being drafted this year will be smacked by your local constable.
I get it. KJ is sloppy as hell. Riley needs to put on some weight. They are not ready to step on an NBA floor right now. Hell, sometimes they even look bad on a college floor right now! The draft is not about right now. I want you to put on your thinking caps for 2 seconds and imagine this...the year is 2032. KJ is no longer 18 years old and no longer coached by Tyler Underwood. He's learned a thing or two after dedicating his life to basketball with every imaginable resource at his disposal. And would you believe it, he's learned how to navigate double teams and value possessions! Young Will Riley is now 25 year-old Will Riley. I have to squint because it also appears he's put on about 25 pounds and matured into a man. Even the acne is cleared up! He's bigger and stronger and not getting pushed around. It's almost like they're supremely talented, but physically and mentally immatureIs there an organization out there that would invest early in an asset like that?
Give me DGL. I wouldn't have said that in November. His size is his biggest concern, so him and KB are incompatible to play at the same time against any team with size. KB has just fallen off a cliff.
Basketball players don't stop learning and developing once they get drafted, in fact a common belief in the NBA is that they are better off learning in the NBA or G-League than in college.
