AK/ESPN combine story

[NJHusky]

AK the pic on the story

Assisted access

Karaban has the option to return to UConn, where he was instrumental in the Huskies' consecutive championship runs, making him one of the more consequential stay-or-go decisions. He'll also have an opportunity to take that momentum and build on it at the combine. Karaban has fans around the NBA due in large part to his considerable basketball IQ, toughness and winning acumen. He's a good shooter with enough positional size to play both forward spots, and a smart connective player who moves the ball and understands his role.
The primary knock on Karaban is his average athleticism and length, and how that translates defensively -- he won't be quick enough to defend every wing, nor is he the type of strong, disruptive player who will impact the game much as a rim-protector in help. He's also not going to create many shots for himself off the dribble, relying more on his passing and cutting ability to impact the game away from the ball. These factors aren't going to change, but the combine presents a stage for Karaban to showcase the many things he does well outside of UConn's complex, read-heavy offensive system. Whether he stays in the draft might hinge on whether a team rates him enough to guarantee him a deal, making this a big week for him -- and the Huskies.

 

[nomar]

Excerpt:

Karaban has fans around the NBA due in large part to his considerable basketball IQ, toughness and winning acumen. He's a good shooter with enough positional size to play both forward spots, and a smart connective player who moves the ball and understands his role.

The primary knock on Karaban is his average athleticism and length, and how that translates defensively -- he won't be quick enough to defend every wing, nor is he the type of strong, disruptive player who will impact the game much as a rim-protector in help. He's also not going to create many shots for himself off the dribble, relying more on his passing and cutting ability to impact the game away from the ball.

* * * *

Whether he stays in the draft might hinge on whether a team rates him enough to guarantee him a deal, making this a big week for him -- and the Huskies.

 

[amishboy]

AK the pic on the story

Assisted access

First, thanks for the assisted access.

Second, I just read that most second round picks sign contracts for $500k or less, with the money not guaranteed.

I realize that next year’s draft is projected to be stronger than this year’s, but I still can’t help thinking that maybe returning to UConn might not be such a bad option for him.

 

[JohnFSilver]

The, Karaban has fans is worrisome if you want him to comeback (me I think he should go). That language usually means that teams are convinced he can help them and they want him on the team.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

This really feels 50/50.

 

[prankster]

Toss a coin.

Weak 2024 draft gets him a +/- $500k not guaranteed contract.

Stronger 2025 draft gets him a +/- $500k not guaranteed contract.

His inabilities (weaknesses) will likely be unchanged between 2023 and 2024.

His strengths have a possibility/probability of some improvement.

(He also runs a risk of being the only NCAA player in history to have earned 3 rings. So there is that.)

 

[Hoophound]

I think it’s 50/50. There is no reason to go if you feel that you can still improve while playing in college AND make more money. I don’t think coming back will hurt him at all. Staying might net him an extra 200-300k in guaranteed income and maybe a little more star power. No matter when he enters the draft he’s probably a late pick. His situation is kind of unique. Most players would have a clearer answer.

 

[Lambeau]

Kareem won three rings.

 

[HooperScooper]

(He also runs a risk of being the only NCAA player in history to have earned 3 rings. So there is that.)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Waquoit]

I think it's 90/10 he's leaving. He doesn't have anything left to prove at UConn.

 

[NJHusky]

I think it's 90/10 he's leaving. He doesn't have anything left to prove at UConn.

If he’s looking at G league contract, what’s then benefit of leaving? Won’t his NIL. Be at least G league money?

 

[Scoe]

I think it's 90/10 he's leaving. He doesn't have anything left to prove at UConn.

Leaving would have nothing to do with what he’s accomplished at UConn.

 

[Woodson]

He gone… No way the NBA lets him go past the first round, there’s more than a few teams that come to mind that could use Karaban, just my opinion of course

 

[Mike Honcho]

Leaving would have nothing to do with what he’s accomplished at UConn.

Agreed 100%

 

[RuffRuff]

Inside source - he wants to go, but it remains up in the air. If he’s projected high second, he’s gone. You can still get plenty of guaranteed dollars in early second, negotiated. I can’t blame him. I’d say 75-25 he’s gone. If he bombs at the combine and drops into the second half of round 2, maybe he considers it.

 

[lavuuk153]

Kareem won three rings.

UCLA won 7 in a row so I’m sure there are several that did.

 

[lavuuk153]

First, thanks for the assisted access.

Second, I just read that most second round picks sign contracts for $500k or less, with the money not guaranteed.

I realize that next year’s draft is projected to be stronger than this year’s, but I still can’t help thinking that maybe returning to UConn might not be such a bad option for him.

Is that really true for second round picks? I thought the year 1 salary was just over 1M.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Toss a coin.

Weak 2024 draft gets him a +/- $500k not guaranteed contract.

Stronger 2025 draft gets him a +/- $500k not guaranteed contract.

His inabilities (weaknesses) will likely be unchanged between 2023 and 2024.

His strengths have a possibility/probability of some improvement.

(He also runs a risk of being the only NCAA player in history to have earned 3 rings. So there is that.)

He is a great college player but a very marginal NBA prospect.

Frankly I was always under the assumption he would return . He would be a rock on a somewhat new team . Getting Diarra , SJ along with Stewart , Ball back plus Karaban is huge . You go from a rebuild to filling in the missing pieces. For the casual fan the former is a lot harder to do than the latter.
I was a little surprised that he might be drafted so this must be a weak draft .
Yes he is not the greatest athlete to come down the pike but I was impressed with his strength , a factor that could overcome some of his negatives.

 

[ec33]

I would have to think AK and Dan Hurley have a good idea what the outcome is going to be.

To me, that UConn has yet to fill his spot (with the additional scholarship) means he hasn't made the decision to leave. And his situation is rather clear cut (other than perhaps a team offering to fully guarantee his second-round selection).

AK is AK. The facts are going to be the same in 2024, 2025, or even 2026. It is just a matter of when he decides to leave.

 

[HooperScooper]

Leaving would have nothing to do with what he’s accomplished at UConn.

That was exactly my reaction when I read that post.

 

[nomar]

Inside source - he wants to go, but it remains up in the air. If he’s projected high second, he’s gone. You can still get plenty of guaranteed dollars in early second, negotiated. I can’t blame him. I’d say 75-25 he’s gone. If he bombs at the combine and drops into the second half of round 2, maybe he considers it.

Don't know your source, and maybe things have changed, but last week Hurley seemed pretty adamant that Alex would return without a 1st round grade.

 

[pj]

Kareem won three rings.

Oh, then he might as well go. Nothing special about being in the basketball record books with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

 

[Umami Zen]

Celtics pick at #30 unless they trade up. Is there a need or interest in AK? Stevens has been to a number of UConn games this year. AK would bolt if he knew the Celts were committed to him at #30. If the advice Danny is hearing is second round and non-guaranteed money. Unless it was OKC or Timberwolves. I think AK comes back for another year.

 

[speckle]

No one ever seems to mention that just about all his bros either have, or are leaving. Simple, but I'm 100% that's bouncing around his head. If the NBA's his dream, no time like the present.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

Good for Karaban. Total class act, never that distraction type (along with the rest of the team). We should all be rooting for him to be a first round pick and go to the NBA.

 

[willie99]

If he's a first round pick with guaranteed money, he should leave

If not, he should return. Players improve their draft status each and every year without exception. Those suggesting this can't happen are simply not paying attention.

So I think it's a toss up, slight lean towards returning. Nothing cast in stone

All the best Alex, good luck, chase your dreams

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

If he's a first round pick with guaranteed money, he should leave

If not, he should return. Players improve their draft status each and every year without exception. Those suggesting this can't happen are simply not paying attention.

So I think it's a toss up, slight lean towards returning. Nothing cast in stone

All the best Alex, good luck, chase your dreams

I think people get caught up in this being a bad draft. It’s bad top end talent wise, but there’s not much difference after that.

 

[jibsey]

I think Alex if he gets stronger will be able to put the ball on the floor and get his own shot and he’s smart enough to be valuable. At this point though he seems a bit weak for the NBA, but I admit I’m no NBA guru, just watching the playoffs these guys are tough ’s.

 

[Waquoit]

If he's a first round pick with guaranteed money, he should leave

If not, he should return.

What if he's ready to go? If he wants to go, and that's what it sounds like, it's better for everyone if he goes.

 

[speckle]

Seems like some folks aren't aware that the last 2 picks in last year's draft each got $1.9m guaranteed on total contracts north of $7m. If someone likes you, the NBA money is there.