SI NBA 2019 Mock Draft: Iggy, Matthews and Poole included

Iggy lacks elite athleticism to be a lottery pick. 

Poole is in a weird position. 2 guards are not exactly the highest priority need in the NBA; especially at Poole’s height. Buddy Heild is probably the most recent true shooting guard to go as a high as he did to my memory. 

Even though some 2 guards are really excelling, like Harris and Oladipo.

I honestly see Poole though to have a great career. He can be a JR Smith with a brain.

I think Iggy will go but I really hope we can hold onto Poole!

Next year: Z, Poole, Livers, Johns, Teske? 

Iggy said he didn't look at UM as just a launch pad for the NBA. At the same time he's already going to be 20 and you only have so many years to make money in the NBA.

Poole will come back. Poole is young and could play himself into the 1st round. Of course that's assuming he doesn't have some huge March madness where he shoots himself into the 1st round this year

Starters: Senior Teske, Senior Simpson, Junior Livers, Junior Poole, Sophomore Ignas.

Bench: Junior Brooks, Junior Livers, Soph Dejulius, Soph Johns, Soph Castleton, Soph Nunez, Frosh Wilson, Frosh Bajema, transfer Jaron Faulds

If we could somehow get Ignas and Poole back we could have a surefire Championship favorite next year

For every player, there a several things to consider:

- How much do I enjoy the college experience and/or value a degree? (yes, they can return, but it's not so easy/common).

- Can I continue to improve in college? This pertains to both draft position and actual level of play. Coach Beilein is a premier developer of talent. IMO there aren't many G-league/international/NBA teams that offer a better opportunity for improvement, with possible exception of level of competition.

- Lottery pick or no? This is a big one. Lottery picks make a TON of money. FU money. G-league/journeymen don't. 

- Maturity level. I think most guys don't weigh this highly enough. Grown-up life is hard, and pro hoops is a cold, harsh business. If you're not ready to take on adult responsibilities and pressures, maybe you should consider another year of growing up in a nurturing college environment.

Really hope Poole and Iggy come back, they should want to climb into a lottery pick right?? haha

Obviously I see Matthews going, but I just don't see where he has sustained success in the NBA. He is so limited on offense, which is unfortunate given his athleticism. The reality is he can't knock down an outside shot with consistency and his ball handling is less than stellar. Unless he can really lock down the 1-4 at the NBA level, and to this point we have no real reason to believe that he can do that, I don't see a future for him long term there. Hope I am wrong. 

The stay/go decision in college basketball isn't THAT complicated

You have to answer two (difficult) questions:

1)  Am I am first round pick?  Is this definitive?
2)  Can I improve my draft stock by coming back for another year in college?

Most players who can answer question #1 yes should go.  Unless they can also answer question #2 with a definitive yes, in which case staying is an option because moving into the top half of the draft is massively lucrative.  

Anyone answering question #1 with a no or a hedged maybe should probably stay unless the answer to question #2 is no or doubtful.

Getting that 1st round pick is the gold mine.  Anything else is a grind.  We've seem some Michigan guys turn out great from the 2nd round, but man you stack the deck against yourself trying to build your NBA life from there.  

Iggy is far more athletic than I thought he would be . Pretty quick first step and great control around the Rim to go with it