I really hope Mullins comes back

[mpclinton22]

This one is simple and does not require the 5 pages of posts: separate your head from your heart and the answer is obvious. Would have loved to see another year from him as I think he could follow the exact trajectory as Ray from year 1 to 2, but this is a different era. Ray would have been a lottery pick after his freshman year, and Mullins will be too, or close to it.

I think it's pretty far from a foregone conclusion that he'd be close to a lottery pick. Seems like a lot of mocks don't know what to make of him. And just like you said - it's a different era from when Ray was here. Mullins isn't foregoing millions of dollars delaying entering the draft - he'll still make plenty of money if he comes back, and likely goes higher in a less competitive draft class next year. The calculus is not nearly as cut and dry as you're implying.

 

[RuffRuff]

Bleacher Report moved him up to 9 as of today. Not sure where they are in the pecking order of draft analysis reputation.

View attachment 119433

Not sure - Finkelstein is really close to the sport. He follows these kids HS through college, is at games, knows parents, runs 247. Likely talking to execs. I’m taking his view before any of these other keyboard junkies who are slapping a list together with not nearly as much intel.

None of this is about whether he is ready or not based on the BY, it’s about where he will actually go. Ready or not if he’s going top 20, he’s gone. This draft is loaded - really hard to know where GMs rate him against that 15-40 crowd. It could all be the the beholder and if that team loves him at 16, he goes. Portland took a giant Chinese guy last year that no one saw coming - we just don’t know.

 

[uconn_jack]

I'll reserve judgment about Liam since it's still too early, but Hawkins 100% should have declared as he was projected as a lottery pick. Doesn't matter what happened since he was drafted, you are told you are going in the lottery, it's a no-brainer you enter the draft.

Hawkins I felt hit his ceiling that year for the most part, so absolutely. I think Mullins has quite a bit more to show as his ceiling.

 

[cp176]

Whether he stays or not we all realize that he will eventually be making a lot of money. He and his family will make the right decision and I would expect one topic to be discussed is how soon do you really want to officially enter the adult world. I can only imagine regardless of how much money some of these early decision makers earn that some of them actually wished that they had stayed in college to enjoy a life style that they won’t have an opportunity to experience again. It’s a tough world and the college experience can be some of the best years you will ever have. He’ll make the right decision.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

This 💯

I disagree with Adrian.

It’s unfortunate that Hawkins fell to a dumpster fire of an organization but if you you can go lottery, you go 100 out of 100 times.

We blame the Hornets and Pelicans when our players dont pan out. And we conveniently ignore that other rookies flourish on those teams. The potential rookie of the year plays for the Hornets for pete's sake!

 

[SwampYankee]

I disagree with Adrian.

We blame the Hornets and Pelicans when our players dont pan out. And we conveniently ignore that other rookies flourish on those teams. The potential rookie of the year plays for the Hornets for pete's sake!

Ok, I retract my statement. The Pelicans are a well-run organization under excellent management with a history of winning and player development. Also the No. 4 pick in the draft is playing really well for the Hornets.

 

[bigdog1002]

Here we go again. He isn’t ready? Says who. Braylon was playing at less than 100% all season in a system that spreads the ball around. He is an elite shooter who has underrated aspects to his game. Gm’s will fall in love with him.

He didn’t shoot the ball at an elite level this year. In fact he had long stretches that were BAD. He also gets bullied by stronger players pretty easily

 

[ArizonaHsky]

He didn’t shoot the ball at an elite level this year. In fact he had long stretches that were BAD. He also gets bullied by stronger players pretty easily

Cool, he is going to be a top 20 pick. Mullins was a pretty good rebounder for getting bullied.

 

[WallStreetHusky]

I think he is 100% gone. One, in an interview earlier this seaaon Mullins father said it isnt always bad to get drafted later in round 1 because that means the team isnt a dumpster fire and can develop you properly. Thats a poker tell.

Two, the people who say if he stays he would be a top 5 pick have no factual basis in saying that. He could have another season like this one and the questions about his game would get even louder.