With Flagg thinking about another year at Duke...

[RUich]

it occurred to me that it may not be a bad idea for Bailey to consider too. Now before you blow up this thought, it does seem that when you look at both Bailey and Harper play, there is at least to me, a decided difference in their level of readiness for the pros. Harper is clearly ready and should definitely go up to the next level, but Ace seems to have some areas that need developing and I cannot imagine him making the same mistakes at the pro level. Many said even before they came to RU, that Bailey was a lot more raw than Dylan. No doubt he has unbelievable upside. It just seems like the other teams have been a hell of a lot more successful at handling Ace than Dylan. Like the USC coach said after the game, "Harper just did whatever he wanted to do".

 

[seansherm]

Flagg won't be staying, stop the fantasy.

 

[cm_13]

it occurred to me that it may not be a bad idea for Bailey to consider too. Now before you blow up this thought, it does seem that when you look at both Bailey and Harper play, there is at least to me, a decided difference in their level of readiness for the pros. Harper is clearly ready and should definitely go up to the next level, but Ace seems to have some areas that need developing and I cannot imagine him making the same mistakes at the pro level. Many said even before they came to RU, that Bailey was a lot more raw than Dylan. No doubt he has unbelievable upside. It just seems like the other teams have been a hell of a lot more successful at handling Ace than Dylan. Like the USC coach said after the game, "Harper just did whatever he wanted to do".

Flagg isn’t coming back. Neither is Ace.

If Ace needs to “develop” more where do you think it is better for him to do so? With an NBA coaching staff or at Rutgers?

 

[lion1983]

Flagg won't be staying, stop the fantasy.

This times 100.

Also, in the ridiculously unlikely event Flagg stays, that is even more reason for Bailey and Harper to leave: It almost guarantees Bailey goes #1 overall, and increases the chance Harper goes #2 overall ... Thye be idiots to pass that up.

Plus there is another VERY high level, potential #1 pick for NEXT season's draft, maybe better than either Flagg or Bailey in terms of upside. Blanking on his name, but he will play in college next season.

 

[seansherm]

This times 100.

Also, in the ridiculously unlikely event Flagg stays, that is even more reason for Bailey and Harper to leave: It almost guarantees Bailey goes #1 overall, and increases the chance Harper goes #2 overall ... Thye be idiots to pass that up.

Plus there is another VERY high level, potential #1 pick for NEXT season's draft, maybe better than either Flagg or Bailey in terms of upside. Blanking on his name, but he will play in college next season.

If you talking about Dybansa, I agree, think he might be the best of all of them.

 

[RUGiddy777]

This times 100.

Also, in the ridiculously unlikely event Flagg stays, that is even more reason for Bailey and Harper to leave: It almost guarantees Bailey goes #1 overall, and increases the chance Harper goes #2 overall ... Thye be idiots to pass that up.

Plus there is another VERY high level, potential #1 pick for NEXT season's draft, maybe better than either Flagg or Bailey in terms of upside. Blanking on his name, but he will play in college next season.

Yup. If they wait, they may not be lottery picks.

 

[SBP]

Yup. If they wait, they may not be lottery picks.

Why? They will get worse?

 

[superfan01]

@RUich wake up.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

only chance they stay if the NBA is changing rules for max contracts starting for rookies in 2026-2027.....and that ins't happening

 

[ScarletDave]

Let’s see, $1.5 million to play for Steve Pikell and risk your entire career, or $40 million guaranteed for 3 years. Hmm some of you must be artists and musicians, surely not businessmen

 

[Caliknight]

Money dictates they leave.

 

[Rutgers25]

Let’s see, $1.5 million to play for Steve Pikell and risk your entire career, or $40 million guaranteed for 3 years. Hmm some of you must be artists and musicians, surely not businessmen

Some people somehow think taking less money and developing with inferior coaching is a better option. lol

 

[RUGiddy777]

Why? They will get worse?

It’ll be more crowded at the top. Dybantsa and Cam Boozer are 2026 kids and some believe AJ is better than all of 2025 NBA draftees. Plus you never know who is going to rise.

 

[NickRU714]

Here is the major problem with CBB fans and the Draft.
They don’t understand the player motivations.

Players don’t stay in college to “develop and get ready” for the NBA.
They stay in college improve their draft projection.

Do you think RHJ returned because he didn’t think he was “ready” for the NBA?
No. He returned because he wanted to improve his draft projection - however unlikely that was.


Should HS kids not go to college because they aren’t “ready” and fully developed on Day 1?

“I know I’m the #3 HS recruit and Duke wants me - but I just don’t think I’m ready to be an All-American as a freshman so I’m JUCO to develop further.”

 

[seansherm]

It’ll be more crowded at the top. Dybantsa and Cam Boozer are 2026 kids and some believe AJ is better than all of 2025 NBA draftees. Plus you never know who is going to rise.

Funny, I said above I thought Dybantsa best in the two classes and then just saw a mock that had him drop to #2 next year behind a kid from Prolific Prep I've never seen.

 

[dollarbill]

Can't Bailey play wherever he wants to in college next year? $$$$

 

[seansherm]

Can't Bailey play wherever he wants to in college next year? $$$$

No college is paying him the $8-$11M he'll get in the NBA.

 

[LotusAggressor]

it occurred to me that it may not be a bad idea for Bailey to consider too. Now before you blow up this thought, it does seem that when you look at both Bailey and Harper play, there is at least to me, a decided difference in their level of readiness for the pros. Harper is clearly ready and should definitely go up to the next level, but Ace seems to have some areas that need developing and I cannot imagine him making the same mistakes at the pro level. Many said even before they came to RU, that Bailey was a lot more raw than Dylan. No doubt he has unbelievable upside. It just seems like the other teams have been a hell of a lot more successful at handling Ace than Dylan. Like the USC coach said after the game, "Harper just did whatever he wanted to do".

College basketball doesn't get players ready for the NBA. Bailey wouldn't be any more NBA ready after another year at RU. The level of sophistication at both ends of the floor is exponentially higher in the NBA. The only thing that will prepare him for the NBA is NBA coaching. Many of the best NBA players have played little college basketball. Some of them haven't played any.

 

[GimmeSomeMore]

Flagg won't be staying, stop the fantasy.

Don't be so sure...

 

[NickRU714]

I know it's bad form to bump old posts and threads just to call out posters.

But I'm saying it now.

I'm bumping every single "I think Flagg is staying" and "Ace/Dylan aren't Top picks/I think their stock is dropping" thread there is.

 

[NickRU714]

Don't be so sure...

Why not?
Would like to hear any reason why not.

 

[RUGiddy777]

No college is paying him the $8-$11M he'll get in the NBA.

And given contract structures, it’s really a cost of year of likely max contract money in his prime. It’s not 8-10, it’s 100 million (discounted to the present).

 

[fluoxetine]

I know it's bad form to bump old posts and threads just to call out posters.

But I'm saying it now.

I'm bumping every single "I think Flagg is staying" and "Ace/Dylan aren't Top picks/I think their stock is dropping" thread there is.

That sounds annoying. Maybe just create a new thread and link to them all?

 

[Mholinko]

I know it's bad form to bump old posts and threads just to call out posters.

But I'm saying it now.

I'm bumping every single "I think Flagg is staying" and "Ace/Dylan aren't Top picks/I think their stock is dropping" thread there is.

I think it’s been concluded that most Rutgers fans don’t understand what the NBA draft is looking for and draft based upon by those threads

On that note… anyone who doesn’t see why Harper and Bailey would be top 5 picks and more likely top 3 picks just doesn’t understand

 

[Plum Street]

Omg. They are going to the NBA

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Some people somehow think taking less money and developing with inferior coaching is a better option. lol

College isn't going to develop them, they all are elite players and will only get better being in the NBA practicing against the best.