Hammons and Leaving Early

[boiler17]

I ran into a friend of mine that thinks Hammons is definitely gone. I think Hammons is a very good player. I dont even recognize this guy next to the freshman that fouled early and often while seemingly doing everything possible to not move his feet.

Do you guys think he is NBA ready?

I personally dont. I put a mild asterisk next to that because he is the rare big man that has good athleticism, and that inflates his worth. Although, I would see him as a late first perhaps second round type of player. If memory serves the contracts those kids get in the new CBA are pretty bad, and if I were him would be concerned about getting bumped down to the D league/the lack of guaranteed money. Conversely you stay, and work to become a lottery pick where, again if memory serves, you never worry about money again as long as you dont spend like a complete fool.

 

[bearsboiler]

I think at best he'll have a Carl Landry type NBA career...which is a damn fine NBA career. I don't see the need for him to run off to the NBA...the money will be there and another year of going against Haas will only make him better. So to answer your question, I think he's an early to mid second round guy now...if he continues to improve, he's a late 1st rounder next year. Hope he stays though...we're going to be damn good next year without him, and a final 4 team with him

 

[jadeezra]

All depends how far Purdue goes in the tourney. Purdue has been under the radar all year due to the prior two seasons and the bad start. With that said depending on all that right now probably early second rounder. If and big if Purdue makes a deep run say sweet 16,I think he will be noticed and fall into the 20-30 range.

As for should he stay? Depends on if Painter can get him another pg( Nic Moore) or even land Swanigan I'd say that would be a pretty good sell to stay. I'm sorry but imo the kid should just go no matter what all of us think his defense alone gives him a pretty decent spot in the draft. He has transformed himself

 

[proudopete]

Either way I appreciate what he has done while at Purdue and wish him well.

I have just never seen one iota of evidnece that shows he has the urge to leave early.

 

[lbodel]

I think you're overselling him with his current stock. Many NBA mock drafts don't have him drafted at all. On CBS sports, he's very late 2nd round in a couple of the mock drafts. But a lot of the college basketball writers don't take into account the international stock as much (I've only seen AJ on the more "writers' boards" than on NBA Mock Draft sites).

That being said, AJ's draft stock as a junior is probably a bit higher than JaJuan's. So it's definitely the "hardest" decision to be made by a Boilermaker about leaving early in a while.

There are several pros and cons for AJ leaving early vs. coming back another year that he will need to mull. Personally, I think if he's not being told he'd be in the first half of the 2nd round, he should come back. Leaving early to be drafted in the 2nd half of the 2nd round is probably not worth it, particularly when you'd be on a good team the next year, unless there are personal circumstances.

 

[boiler17]

Originally posted by lbodel:
I think you're overselling him with his current stock. Many NBA mock drafts don't have him drafted at all. On CBS sports, he's very late 2nd round in a couple of the mock drafts. But a lot of the college basketball writers don't take into account the international stock as much (I've only seen AJ on the more "writers' boards" than on NBA Mock Draft sites).

That being said, AJ's draft stock as a junior is probably a bit higher than JaJuan's. So it's definitely the "hardest" decision to be made by a Boilermaker about leaving early in a while.

There are several pros and cons for AJ leaving early vs. coming back another year that he will need to mull. Personally, I think if he's not being told he'd be in the first half of the 2nd round, he should come back. Leaving early to be drafted in the 2nd half of the 2nd round is probably not worth it, particularly when you'd be on a good team the next year, unless there are personal circumstances.

Right, and maybe it would work out for him. I just know if it were me, I would work to maximize what I have going into the draft unless I thought it was a sure fire 7+ mil or so. Half to taxes, and thats a reasonable cost adjusted living.

Perhaps he does have personal circumstances or maybe just wants to be in the NBA that bad.

Perhaps my guy is full of it.

 

[lbodel]

I mean, no offense to 'your guy', but I don't think AJ even knows as "certain" as your buddy is.

 

[gelesen]

Was the little ceremony recognizing him on senior day a tell-tale sign he may not be back?