01-20-2015, 10:38 AM
The college basketball system has the weight of tradition behind it -- a lot of NBA GMs/coaches are still subjected to the availability bias. (OKCs director of analytics was discussing recently how Serge Ibaka was a tough draft because they didn't know how reliable his stats were abroad...but, you know, Spain's league is surely at a higher level than college ball.)
Over the long run, however, I expect money to talk. Emanuel Mudiay, the best point guard in the upcoming draft, took a million-dollar deal to play in China as a pit stop. Getting $30k to play for a year is nice, but you can still argue college. A million dollars to play in what's probably a better preparatory environment (for the pros)? That's a really excellent deal.
Over the long run, however, I expect money to talk. Emanuel Mudiay, the best point guard in the upcoming draft, took a million-dollar deal to play in China as a pit stop. Getting $30k to play for a year is nice, but you can still argue college. A million dollars to play in what's probably a better preparatory environment (for the pros)? That's a really excellent deal.