I disagree. I think guys leaving with this much hype around them need to go. We just don't know what his ceiling is. Maybe he plays great next year, and parlays that into being a higher pick. Maybe he goes Melo Trimble, passes up a potential first round spot after his freshman year, and... never plays in the NBA, never gets drafted, etc. I'd rather be the #31 pick as an 18 year old than take the chance.
I do not think we really disagree.
You are saying it is worth the risk -- he
probably goes <31, so he would be okay.
I am saying -- if he does
not go in the first-round -- then you can defend the good process, but I am
assuming a bad outcome, which there is some probability of happening.
If you
knew he was going #31, would you still tell him to go pro?
You would break a lamp if you went #31+ and you were him, too.
The top of the second-round is very hit-or-miss on the quality of the franchises, too...
Brooklyn
Phoenix
Philly
Philly
Atlanta
...but that is usually the case throughout the draft order.