I don't understand how people can continue to say things like this. Staying an extra year absolutely can hurt your stock. This isn't the 90s anymore. Teams aren't drafting ready-made players, by and large - they're drafting guys they think they can turn into stars. An extra year only helps if you develop a lot in that year, otherwise you're just a year older and less desirable.
So where would Buddy Hield been drafted last year? Where did he get drafted this year?
A player takes a risk by returning. If he doesn't improve, his draft stock can drop. Yes,most teams draft on potential. But on the other hand, if a player improves enough, his stock can rise.
I think DHam had enough foundational skills plus one or two areas that he excelled at such as seeing the floor and passing, that if he returned for another year and just improved his shooting, at his size he could have easily been drafted in the first round.
On the flip side, if he didn't improve, he might have dropped out of the draft completely.
And the idea that all teams draft potential, that's flat out false. Depending the team, their need and draft position, some players that the teams know that what they see is likely what they'll get, take that player. Not so much in the lottery, but definitely throughout both rounds.
Lastly, if anyone were to ask DHam if he knew that he'd go in the second round would he have returned to UConn for another season, what would he say? I don't know. My gut tells me, he would answer no, but not admit he made a mistake and was led to believe he'd be a first round pick.
Now I don't think anyone expected so many teams would select foreign players in this year's draft. There was a ton of draft and stash. With that said, I don't think that had much of an impact on where DHam got drafted.
When to enter the draft for most underclassmen is a calculated gamble. The factors they have to weigh are: How high might I go based on my present resume? How high might I go if I do well on my private workouts? How high might I rise or drop if I return for another season? Tied to that question, how much can I improve in the obvious areas that would contribute to my draft stock?
I keep on hearing that many believe DHam just didn't like school. Come on!!! Everyone needs to do things in life they don't like doing to improve their employment situation. Now this is just my opinion,and was the case when I heard he retained the services of an agent, that he would be better off returning for another year. I think he has the ability to improve his shooting if he worked hard at it. I also think that his decision making would have improved and been perceived differently surrounded by more scoring options on this year's UConn team. It would have been wise to leave a few hundred thousand none guaranteed dollars on the table this year for a bucket load of guaranteed millions next year. What's the worst that could happen other than injury? Missing out on the money he will earn this year and possibly have to play overseas and earn a measly couple 100K,give or take some.
I wonder at what point he began to think that signing with his agent was a big mistake? Maybe never. But I doubt it.
I hope it works out for him. I really like DHam and would love to be able to watch him play in the NBA.
