McD AA spurning college for the G-League

[LLCoolCY]

Whoa. Darius Bazley is "de-committing" from Syracuse and turning pro in the G-League.

How this plays out will be interesting especially because it is for such little money. I am surprised Darius isn't going for more money overseas.

@ShamsCharania Column on Darius Bazley (@BazleyDarius), projected top-10 pick in 2019 NBA draft, making unprecedented move, leaving Syracuse commitment to turn pro in G League: “Someone has to start the fire — and I believe I’m going to do that.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/projected-top-10-draft-pick-make-leap-high-school-g-league-193725979.html

@jeffborzello Multiple sources indicated Darius Bazley's G League salary next season is capped at $26,000, according to the tiered salary structure.

 

[CloneGuy8]

I thought the whole point of them getting Gatorade to sponsor this league was so they could pay guys better salaries?

 

[nfrine]

I thought the whole point of them getting Gatorade to sponsor this league was so they could pay guys better salaries?

Should have had Nike/Adidas sponsor if they want the $$$$$.

 

[LLCoolCY]

I thought the whole point of them getting Gatorade to sponsor this league was so they could pay guys better salaries?

I don't think Gatorade getting the naming rights have anything to do with the salary structure. It is like stadium naming rights just extra money for the league.

The NBA passed rules last year allowing for higher salaries and two way contracts for players teams draft. Since he still is ineligible to be drafted by a team this summer he isn't able the higher salaries (even though he would likely be a top 10 pick this year). I guess the league salary for a 1st year player is caped at $26,000. Once he enters the draft next year he'll get paid assuming he avoids injury and doesn't expose unknown flaws.

 

[Acylum]

Seems like he could’ve found a school to pay him more than 26k.

 

[Clonehomer]

But he can still get sponsorships beyond that, yes?

 

[jbindm]

Someone had to go first. We'll see if it's an isolated deal or if he thrives and it becomes the norm. I'd bet on the former but you just never know.

 

[brianhos]

But he can still get sponsorships beyond that, yes?

Correct, he can sign a shoe deal, which is probably what this is all about.

 

[Cyclonepride]

But he can still get sponsorships beyond that, yes?

Excellent point.

 

[nfrine]

Correct, he can sign a shoe deal, which is probably what this is all about.

Big Baller material....

 

[MeowingCows]

Big Baller material....

LaVar is probably blowing up this kid's cell phone as we speak.

 

[Sigmapolis]

 

[BoxsterCy]

LaVar is probably blowing up this kid's cell phone as we speak.

In the old days those would have been collect calls from LaVar.

 

[CycloneErik]

Correct, he can sign a shoe deal, which is probably what this is all about.

But wouldn't his shoe deal and/or endorsements be a lot more lucrative if people had a clue who he is?
Seems like a solid negotiator would lowball this guy to death and lock him into a deal he'd regret if he had a name that mattered to anybody.

 

[clonedude]

I'm glad someone is actually doing this. If nothing else, just as a test case.

Why should anyone have to go to college for a year? It's a free world, so if a kid wants to go pro, let him or her. And yes, even in football. If someone is dumb enough to go from high school to the NFL at 6'0" 180 lbs and get destroyed, so be it. Fact is, they wouldn't be drafted anyway.

 

[jbindm]

Bump. The RJ Hampton news yesterday got me thinking about this. Turns out the kid also bailed on the G League and instead completed a million dollar "internship" with New Balance. The arrangements were made by his agent, Rich Paul. It pays him $200,000 annually for five years assuming he is on an NBA roster for years 2-5 with the possibility of signing a full-on endorsement deal with the company if he's drafted. So he spent last fall and spring getting paid to work out and get ready for the 2019 draft.

I only looked at a couple mocks but it looks like he's generally pegged as a mid second round pick.

It's hard to say whether or not he made the right call because we don't know how his one year at Syracuse might have gone. I mean, $200K is a nice chunk of change for an eighteen year old but at the same time it kind of looks like he got leapfrogged by a bunch of guys who went the college route.

 

[Triggermv]

I'm totally on board with certain players going this route. If they don't want to be in school, I really don't necessarily want them to be. To me, the college game is much more fun when it is full of a bunch of players who want to be there. College isn't meant for everyone anyway.

 

[Halincandenza]

College basketball is discussing the image/likeness rules for this very reason. They know that they can't remain a lucrative enterprise if more and more kids start opting for other options and if one and done goes away.

 

[Knownothing]

I'm glad someone is actually doing this. If nothing else, just as a test case.

Why should anyone have to go to college for a year? It's a free world, so if a kid wants to go pro, let him or her. And yes, even in football. If someone is dumb enough to go from high school to the NFL at 6'0" 180 lbs and get destroyed, so be it. Fact is, they wouldn't be drafted anyway.

The only football player I have seen in a while that could go from High School to pro was Adrian Peterson.

Bump. The RJ Hampton news yesterday got me thinking about this. Turns out the kid also bailed on the G League and instead completed a million dollar "internship" with New Balance. The arrangements were made by his agent, Rich Paul. It pays him $200,000 annually for five years assuming he is on an NBA roster for years 2-5 with the possibility of signing a full-on endorsement deal with the company if he's drafted. So he spent last fall and spring getting paid to work out and get ready for the 2019 draft.

I only looked at a couple mocks but it looks like he's generally pegged as a mid second round pick.

It's hard to say whether or not he made the right call because we don't know how his one year at Syracuse might have gone. I mean, $200K is a nice chunk of change for an eighteen year old but at the same time it kind of looks like he got leapfrogged by a bunch of guys who went the college route.

Not a bad deal. NBA drafts on potential. So he might as well collect money and workout.

 

[Mr Janny]

I'm totally on board with certain players going this route. If they don't want to be in school, I really don't necessarily want them to be. To me, the college game is much more fun when it is full of a bunch of players who want to be there. College isn't meant for everyone anyway.

Agreed. This route won't be for everyone. Some will succeed with it. Some will fail. Just like some highly touted recruits don't pan out in college. Look at a guy like Cliff Alexander. Dude was thought to be a stud before he got to college. A year at KU didn't do much for him. If he could have signed a deal similar to Hampton, he probably would have come out ahead.