The question to ask is does his game translate well to the NBA game. After last year’s success many NBA analysts praised him but did not believe his game would translate well to the NBA. He runs the show for Purdue. He’s a modern day version of Scotty Skiles! He’s an awesome player. In saying that, would Scott Skiles be successful in the NBA today?
Admittedly when I talk about NBA analysts, those are the same people who loved Ivey but thought Edey would be a total bust. Edey was placed in the perfect situation in Memphis. A lot of success in the NBA is dependent on situations and combinations.
Ask yourself did Gillis go to Duke to improve his draft stock?
I believe Braden will remain in college all four years. But I’m brave enough and crazy enough to ask the question no other Purdue fan would dare ask. Will Braden play for Purdue all 4 years? I’ve read some rumors over the past 2 years that other teams/sponsors/agents have tried to pry him away. Look at GILLIS. No fan expected him to leave and transfer to Duke. What if Kansas or Duke or Oregon or Texas A&M came calling after this season and tried to pry Braden away?
I put this to you because I keep reading posts here that talk about players saying the guy is a legacy player. No wY would he ever consider going somewhere else. JJJ was supposed to be a sure thing. The same with Mount and Parkinson and Catchings. And then oops, they went somewhere else.
If Braden is offered twice as much money to play for some other school, would he remain loyal to Purdue and Painter or would it be a business decision and in his best interests to play elsewhere?
I have read too many times where players transfer and they say they had to look out for their best interests. What was Catchings excuse?
Something else to consider. If Braden decides to come back to Purdue for a 4th year, will that cause one of our current young guards to leave? Or will they be fine being a backup for another year when out of high school they were labeled as a2 and done and definitely going to the pros after two years. Would a certain legacy guard remain for a third year knowing his role would be as a backup ? And knowing Painter has signed a guard for both 2025 and 2026?
I don’t have the answers. I’m just posing the logical question. If coming out of high school everybody labeled you as a definite NBA player, and you were facing being a backup for 3 years at Purdue and guarantee you will ever start, would you stick around? That’s what will happen if Braden and Loyer play 4 years at Purdue. Their current backup will most likely leave.
I believe Braden will stay at Purdue for his final year. But I am just as certain some other college will tempt him with more money to transfer.
I am reminded of a player who was a 4 year player at Villinova. His senior year he was their 6th man he was smart but not very athletic. He had a nice tourney performance and was a first round draft pick by the Bucks. His last name was vinnysomething. I’m not good with names . He ended up having a decent nba career. The same could happen to smith.
I also remember Ivey, big dog. And Swanigan. Their coach encouraged all three to go pro early. They followed his advice.
That poses one last question. What will Painter do? Will he encourage Braden to leave early?
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