Wilson Staying in Draft

Submitted by uncle leo on

Just came out.

"Sources tell DraftExpress that D.J. Wilson is keeping his name in the 2017 NBA Draft and will not return to Michigan."

kevin holt

May 24th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^

What was his likely landing spot if he stayed, assuming average improvement from his trajectory (and Beilein's development)? Top 10? I just don't get it, man

alum96

May 24th, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^

I think he'd top out around 12-15 just because the NBA loves guys with 1 year in the league who would be 2-3 years younger than DJ a year from now.  That said the NBA rookie cap skyrockets next year so even being 30 next year vs 30 this year is a big bump in pay but you lose the opportunity cost of 1 year of earnings by staying in plus of course open yourself up to injury,

I've pretty much been saying once it came to light that Wilson was looking at the NBA since January (and he had all of 6 weeks of good basketball in him at that point) that Wilson was looking for a reason to go, and Wagner a reason to stay.  Both got it. 

Can't blame a guy for making millions playing a sport from going.  Just frustrating when guys have half a good season here they seem ready to go and other programs keep guys for another year extra it seems. 

BigBlue02

May 24th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^

Dammit, we got a half of a good season out of him. Crazy, but it looks like Beilein can still develop guys and doesn't need to recruit better

BigBlue02

May 24th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^

Why? What does it matter if he recruits 5 star guys who leave after a couple years or 3 and 4 star guys? It looks like we will probably lose another one early to the pros next year, so outside of recruiting stars, what makes you think Beilein isn't recruiting well enough?

MichLax

May 24th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^

Well I hope he's ready to rebound and play defense as a 6-7 freshman starter in the Big10 and in the tourney. Not gonna hold my breath.

BigBlue02

May 24th, 2017 at 3:11 PM ^

DJ Wilson averaged 2.7 points per game last year and people were questioning why he was even on scholarship. Up until about 3 months ago, Beilein probably had no clue Wilson going pro was even a possibility. It wouldn't have mattered if he recruited better because he wouldn't have known about he vacancy. I trust Beilein to fill that gap with some talent though.

uofmchris

May 24th, 2017 at 12:51 PM ^

Congratulations! You are guaranteed to be the LAST pick in the first round....

To me that screams desperation, but whatever. Go make your money kid.

 

HailToA2

May 24th, 2017 at 12:52 PM ^

So, its safe to say, whenever Michigan Basketball has some success.. anybody who is a first rounder is going to jump to the draft, at this point (if it wasn't already). NCAA needs more incentive for players to stick around... 

Elmer

May 24th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^

Beilein isn't an emotional coach who develops deep, personal bonds with his players.  They seem to like and respect him, but he doesn't seem to have the same pull that Izzo has with his guys.

Almost every time someone is expected to be an NBA daft pick, they head for the door.  Even Trey Burke was planning to leave after his freshman year.

ijohnb

May 24th, 2017 at 1:20 PM ^

have got to be kidding me.  "Beilein isn't an emotional coach who develops deep personal bonds with his players."  Seriously?  Did you watch any of the BIG tournament this year, or any of the NCAA tournament.  These players look as close to Beilein as humanly possible.   

Trey Burke did come back.  GR 3 did come back.  McGary did come back.  Levert did come back.  Wagner did come back.

You cherry-pick Izzo because of Bridges, but players have skated on Izzo before, Devonte Davis said "to hell with this" exactly one year ago.

The People's Jones

May 24th, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^

Goodluck, DJ!

 

As for Michigan, this is worse than 1-and-done situation.  DJ took up a roster spot for 2 years floundering, then has a great year and is gone.  Ouch.  

Jimmyisgod

May 24th, 2017 at 1:03 PM ^

If you would have said to me after the season that DJ Wilson was going to the NBA while Miles Bridges was returning for another year of college I would have laughed at you.

This sucks for our team, but good luck to Wilson.

I know Utah says they'll take him if he's there, but Utah will take whoever they think is best at the time, if a guy they really liked better but couldn't have dreamed of getting at 30 drops to them they'll draft him.

We need interior defense and rebounding.  Wagner will improve, but he's never going to be a shot blocker.  So we lose out top 2 and 3 of our top 4 scorers.  We lose our top 3 rebounders.  And we lose 3of our top 4 assist men, and our top (and really only) shot blocker.

Walton, Irvin, Wilson, and Donnell > Simmons, Matthews, Livers, Poole, and Brooks.

We need interior players badly.

CaliforniaNobody

May 24th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^

Okay, I'll say it. This is a big mistake. Best case for him is goin in the last 5 picks in the first and playing in the D league for several years. Like Manny Harris and Darius Morris before him, it's gonna be a real "what if they'd made the right decision" kinda thing. I do wish him the best and will root for him.

A2toGVSU

May 24th, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^

We can all agree that DJ could improve his draft stock by staying one more year. It is just as likely that he has a very similar year to last year, or worse, he could get hurt. Both of those scenarios (injury, lack of progression) would hurt his draft stock. Its ok to selfishly want him back as a fan, but its idiotic to call this a bad decision. Just cross your fingers that he performs well and represents Michigan well over a long and successful career.

rice4114

May 24th, 2017 at 1:42 PM ^

I would say nothing good has come from players leaving early to be honest. No recruits have come here based on that. We beat out teams we would beat out with or without the nba success. I wish him well and hope he crushes it but we are the * in the "teams that send kids to the nba get a recruiting bump".

1 percent

May 24th, 2017 at 1:01 PM ^

Oops. That might have been a mistake. I really think he could have used another year to develop his game, that and a 30th pick guarantee isn't too reassuring. Good luck, DJ. Hope I'm wrong g.

Perkis-Size Me

May 24th, 2017 at 1:05 PM ^

I hope whatever team guaranteed they'd take him in the first round stays true to their word. Team needs change, guys you didn't think would still be on the board may still be there, and then all of a sudden you find yourself in the second round wondering if you made the right decision. 

Seriously, best of luck to him and I hope he does well. I just hope he didn't end up placing too much faith in what a team told him. He's definitely a project when he gets to the NBA. 

bluesalt

May 24th, 2017 at 1:15 PM ^

Morris made $3.1 million over four years on the edge of NBA rosters. He got to fulfill his dream in the NBA while being pretty much set for life if he manages his money wisely. DJ will have no worse a career, and be even better compensated, even if he's picked in the second round as Morris was. Best of luck to DJ! Go Blue!

93Grad

May 24th, 2017 at 1:14 PM ^

I expect they will roll with some combo of Duncan/ Matthews and Livers there, though none of them are great fits there, or at least not if we want to be a sweet 16 type team.

 

Any thoughts as to whether Davis or Mo could see time at the 4 against bigger lineups?