What’s the downside to offering one of these grad transfers ?
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/shawn-williams-4.html
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ahmed-ali-1.html
If they suck, fine whatever they’re gone in a year. Prohm has rolled the dice on less proven players than these two
If I was in charge...
I would survey what is available in terms of sit-out guys. I am basically building for 2021-2022 at this point, so if you think a sit-out guy moves the talent needle after a year of development (and given the edge he would have in experience and familiarity with the program over a freshman), then try to get him to virtual Ames and get him to commit.
Having another guy like Javan Johnson, who we have not seen play in a Cyclone uniform but we are hoping is at least an average Big 12 starter, coming off a redshirt the year after next would be really useful. Try not to reach if he is Prentiss Nixon again, but if he could be a contributor in the Big 12, pull the trigger on this guy.
Save the last one for a midyear (and yeah, I know that market is small and has tough competition) or just bank it for another freshman for next year. Again, you are building for 2021-2022 at this point, so you might as well lean into that strategy.
Part of me says we should have taken Buggs, but it sounds like he had very unreasonable expectations for his role. I wish he would have been more reasonable about that (e.g., your job is to be depth and a locker room guy, not a star or even a starter). If he would have been like that, then I would have been glad to have had him.