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.

 

[Marat]

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.

The second point is true, unless the player himself feels like he can perform much better and decides to take that risk. We want BM to return no doubt. I think that "shot" probably improved his draft position. I agree its a long shot for him to return.

 

[Henry]

I don't think he's staying. With Solo as an example - he had a good shooting year his soph year and then got hurt and never really found his stroke his jr yr. There are no guarantees that won't happen to Braylon next yr. Braylon will go b/c he's attractive to the NBA now.

 

[bigdog1002]

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

I don’t understand why you’re mad. But ok. I hope he does go in the lottery. But the tape doesn’t lie. Stojakovich was putting his shoulder into him and knocking him back 3 feet.

 

[bigdog1002]

I don't think he's staying. With Solo as an example - he had a good shooting year his soph year and then got hurt and never really found his stroke his jr yr. There are no guarantees that won't happen to Braylon next yr. Braylon will go b/c he's attractive to the NBA now.

But he didn’t have a good shooting year. Everybody will remember the Dook shot but he only shot 33% for the season. That’s just decent.

 

[UConnJim]

Post tourney mock from CBS/Fink - Mullins at 30. Would run it back in that slot obviously, but what does this guy know.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-mock-draft-michigan-uconn/

No Ceilings has him in last 20's, and this draft is deep into early second with some very good players.

2026 NBA Mock Draft V.6

March Madness is over. Draft Season is Offically Rolling. The No Ceilings crew installs V.6 of their NBA Mock Draft for the 2026 NBA Draft.

www.noceilingsnba.com

It's personally where think he would go, despite a lot of early mocks having him in the lottery. There is too much quality in this draft for him to go that early. My guess is he's a 21-28 type of pick, a range that you have to think twice. If the right franchise is telling you they're taking you, perhaps you go and get the clock started.

And this mock draft only includes one foreign player when the last 2 years there were 6 foreigners each year in the first round. Many of the mock drafters don't know all of the foreigners that well, but the NBA GMs do.

Mullins is a sure fire NBA player, but the draft is going to be loaded this year which will push down where he is drafted. Supposedly, next year's draft is not that strong so he would get a better draft slot if he continues to develop.

I think Mullins and his family are going to have a tough decision to make.

 

[Lafayette]

As stated above, the NBA drafts on potential and youth. The real question is does Braylon want to sit on an NBA bench(or play in the G League) for a year for more money or does he want to play in college for NIL level money. He is ready to be drafted, but he might not be ready to play meaningful minutes in NBA games. He could get stronger and work on his game in both scenarios. He just has to decide where he wants to do it for the next year. Love Braylon and hope he comes back. Whatever he chooses I will always root for him and be grateful for the amazing moments he gave us.

They do and they don’t…

Castle was as much an on display of what San Antonio wanted…less potential and more we see what we’re getting and we likey.

Clingan to an extent realized his potential in the 2024 NCAA tourney.

So while the NBA drafts on potential they always get some reality - like Mullins magic shot vs Duke and his release.

Others yes potential and some GMs are less analytical.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Not gonna happen.

Sadly. I hope he doesnt end up like Jordan Hawkins who also left before he could develop his game for the NBA. Sure both guys can shoot the ball but neither could really beat their defender off the bounce, were turnover prone, werent very strong and arent super athletes. Heck you could even throw Liam McNeeley in the mix as another guy who shouldve stayed and developed his game.
I always hear that guys can develop that stuff after getting drafted but do they really? Sure some guys do but a lot of guys dont and you dont hear from them again. The only guy i see is Castle but i think we can agree these other guys i mentioned arent on his talent level especially physically. Im usually ok with guys leaving but from what ive seen from Mullins he`d best serve himself and his bank account coming back.

 

[Henry]

But he didn’t have a good shooting year. Everybody will remember the Dook shot but he only shot 33% for the season. That’s just decent.

That doesn't seem to be scaring off NBA GMs. They're evaluating the quality of his shots and probably cutting him some slack for his ankle injury and concussion.

 

[RuffRuff]

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.

A number of people here that haven't caught on - his decision making process has many considerations. One may be another program giving him twice as much, willing to feature him in an offense that's less mechanical. Doubt that happens, but who knows. The portal era is pure chaos.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I’m not up on the current rules
But if you put your name in the draft today and then you drop to the second round
Why can’t you come back . They all have agents
If that’s the case doesn’t that put more pressure on the NBA to at least pay these kids more who get drafted late as those guys now have an option .

 

[Fishy]

Judging him without the warm fuzzy feelings that are expected here on the Boneyard...he's physically the least ready to go of our recent draft picks and some of those have found themselves on the G League shuttle. Right now, he does not have a single skill that would keep him on the floor for an NBA team. (Please do not say shooting.) He will at some point, but he doesn't now and the NBA is not a patient organization.

Given his likely NIL number, not a bad idea to come back.

 

[aceboon]

That doesn't seem to be scaring off NBA GMs. They're evaluating the quality of his shots and probably cutting him some slack for his ankle injury and concussion.

His shot quality was fine, he wasn't taking alot of self created/contested 3s, he missed ALOT of wide open 3s. The offense got him, Solo, and AK plenty of wide open looks, actually making them was an entirely different story.

 

[ArizonaHsky]

I don’t understand why you’re mad. But ok. I hope he does go in the lottery. But the tape doesn’t lie. Stojakovich was putting his shoulder into him and knocking him back 3 feet

I don’t understand why you’re mad. But ok. I hope he does go in the lottery. But the tape doesn’t lie. Stojakovich was putting his shoulder into him and knocking him back 3

Judging him without the warm fuzzy feelings that are expected here on the Boneyard...he's physically the least ready to go of our recent draft picks and some of those have found themselves on the G League shuttle. Right now, he does not have a single skill that would keep him on the floor for an NBA team. (Please do not say shooting.) He will at some point, but he doesn't now and the NBA is not a patient organization.

Given his likely NIL number, not a bad idea to come back.

So why do mostly all the NBA scouts have him in top 20? I wish he would come back to, but no way he is.

 

[Fishy]

So why do mostly all the NBA scouts have him in top 20? I wish he would come back to, but no way he is.

There isn't a single actual NBA sharing their top 20 prospects anywhere you'd be able to read it.