Does DJ Wilson Still Have a First Round Promise?

Submitted by Fuzzy Dunlop on

When Wilson declared for the draft, most of us surmised that he had a first round promise -- the assumption was that it was from the Utah Jazz.

However, this article says that word is around the league is that DJ has (had?) a promise from the Nets.  https://www.netsdaily.com/2017/6/22/15852426/did-nets-promise-d-j-wilso…

The (potential) problem is that the Nets had two first-round picks, numbers 23 and 27.  They traded the 27th pick to the Lakers yesterday in a deal that involved their getting D'Angelo Russell (boo Ohio State).  Which is leading some to question whether the Nets "promise" applied to the 23rd or 27th pick, and whether it is still good.

Hopefully a nonissue--most mocks have DJ solidly in the first round, whether to Nets or someone else.  But it would obviously be worst case scenario if he leaves Michigan believing that he is a guaranteed first-round lock, only to fall to the second round. 

freelion

June 22nd, 2017 at 9:53 AM ^

Pre-draft promises are not binding and he could fall into the 2nd round or out of the draft entirely. His gamble may work but it's still a gamble.

Yung Geezer

June 22nd, 2017 at 10:24 AM ^

People are way too eager to either bash his decision when he slips out of the first round or to justify it when he is selected in the first round.   It's his decision and he already made it haha let the man live.

 I just cannot get through this day unless I know that DJ has a first round promise!  

You're telling me that nobody here has any NBA insider info?

This is MGoBlog fergodsakes!

Tater

June 22nd, 2017 at 7:55 PM ^

"Way too eager?"  Puh-leeze.  

If he is drafted in the first round, the decision was great.  If he isn't and doesn't catch on with anyone for a guaranteed contract, the decision was terrible.  We'll find out soon enough.  I am hoping he does get that first round guaranteed money of at least $2.7 million over two years.

bronxblue

June 22nd, 2017 at 1:01 PM ^

This is said literally every year, and every year new guys appear that get drafted unexpectedly. Wilson made the right choice for him, and there's no reason to think (a) he would have improved so much that he would have been a lottery choice based on merits, and (b) that anyone would draft him in the lottery even if he did improve.

JonnyHintz

June 22nd, 2017 at 1:55 PM ^

Or he could return and get hurt and lose it all.

I'm sure you would love to turn down a $1 million salary per year for three years (as the #30 pick would make) to work for free for a year. With only the POTENTIAL to make more money. But you could end up making less...or making nothing at all.

It sure is easy to gamble with other people's money. But let's be honest. If it were really presented to you, you're not gambling a $1 million per year salary to work for free. Neither did DJ. And neither do most athletes. At the end of the day, it's entirely THEIR decision. He chose the money. More power to him. He's going to make more in his rookie season than the average American makes in 20 years ($50,000 salary). And you think he should gamble with that.

ijohnb

June 22nd, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^

simply don't see how teams could give a player projected somewhere in the 20-30 range a "guarantee" or "promise" about anything given how much shuffling and bartering goes on right around draft day.  I could see teams telling a player that they are very high on them and to take that for what its worth, but these certainly aren't contractual agreements we are talking about here and I think it would be foolish to rely on something like that in a decision to declare.

In reply to by ijohnb

JonnyHintz

June 22nd, 2017 at 2:02 PM ^

It's not that strange. It's just a promise that if they're there, they'll pick them. The fact that he's had at minimum 2-3 teams say they'd pick him in the 23-27 range makes it a pretty safe bet. Especially when he's projected in that range no matter what.

WestQuad

June 22nd, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^

We're all rooting for DJ and the OP asks an interesting question if this trade hurts our player.  It's a legit question especially for off season.  To your point though the title and first sentence could potentially be interpreted as bashing DJ. I don't see it though.

Maynard

June 22nd, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^

I guess we better never see you on here speculating about anything since it is pointless. Is analysis after the fact okay or is it pointless because we can't change the past? Should we not talk about the upcoming season of Michigan football because only living in the moment is relevant? GTFO

Fuzzy Dunlop

June 22nd, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^

Thanks. Not sure why I'm getting bashed for this post. I saw an article I thought was interesting questioning whether DJ's first round promise might fall through because of intervening events and thought that was worth sharing with the board. Not sure how anyone could read my post as bashing DJ or his decision to declare, and I don't see how my heading was misleading in any way.

Michifornia

June 22nd, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^

But that doesn't mean he won't get drafted there.  No team will promise a potential late round guy a spot.  Lots of shuffling occurs during the round...