Andy Katz chat

**gocubs2118** · 03-10-2009, 10:25 AM

Alex (Chicago): Andy, what do you think Craig Brackins should do about the draft? Should he declare or come back for his junior year? Iowa State could have a good team next year if he does go back.

Andy Katz: (11:20 AM ET ) Brackins is a talent. It depends on what he's being told and if he is hearing the correct information. If he's a lock for a top 20 pick then he should go. But if he's not then he shouldn't.

Nothing really new here but its always nice to get an outsiders opinion.

**DaddyMac** · 03-10-2009, 10:35 AM

Top 20 pick? Only top 20?

What are the contracts like for picks 15-20? I don't know if they're all that great (better than free tuition and room & board, I'm sure).

Personally, if he's top 10 then I think he may have a reason. But I think he's better served to stick around another year and bulk up a bit. His face to the basket offense is terrific, but his back to the basket and defense could improve some. Not to mention, he seemed to have trouble handling the bigger, more physical opponents.

Ok - maybe that'll take two years....

**kucyclone** · 03-10-2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

Top 20 pick? Only top 20?

What are the contracts like for picks 15-20? I don't know if they're all that great (better than free tuition and room & board, I'm sure).

Let me google that for you.

**cybsball20** · 03-10-2009, 10:47 AM

Brook Lopez, the #10 pick, is just over $2 mil. Courtney Lee, the #22 pick is making about $1.2 mil

**DaddyMac** · 03-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Brook Lopez, the #10 pick, is just over $2 mil. Courtney Lee, the #22 pick is making about $1.2 mil

Well, that beats what I was making coming out of college.

My point was more along the lines of what could he make if he stuck around another year and improved his status to top 10. Don't know if he's ever going to be lottery material - but I would've said the same thing about Fizer after his soph year.

Different players - but I think the comparison is valid. Marcus may have been a 1st rounder his sophmore year. Moved up to #3 (??) with that extra year.

Tough call for the young man. I just hope he gets GOOD information and doesn't become a casualty of greedy agents who tell him anything he wants to hear.

**cybsball20** · 03-10-2009, 10:58 AM

If he is a top 20 pick it would benefit him to come out early simply to extend his career one more year. Those last few years at 10-20 mil are worth more than the first year at 1-3 mil.

**gocubs2118** · 03-10-2009, 11:06 AM

Hopefully he loves it here that much, he is willing to sacrifice that one year of salary to improve his game. Remember even though he will be making a lot of money, its still a job once he goes to the NBA.

**cybsball20** · 03-10-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by gocubs2118

Hopefully he loves it here that much, he is willing to sacrifice that one year of salary to improve his game. Remember even though he will be making a lot of money, its still a job once he goes to the NBA.

It's a job at the college level too, you just don't get paid and have more bosses...

**CarolinaCy** · 03-10-2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

If he is a top 20 pick it would benefit him to come out early simply to extend his career one more year. Those last few years at 10-20 mil are worth more than the first year at 1-3 mil.

You're correct, it's not the first contract that you cash in on, it's the second and third, if you're that lucky/good. The thing with Brackins is that I think he needs to get as much as he can out of that first contract because I don't think he's going to command a huge salary with his 2nd contract, if there's a 2nd one at all. I hope he proves me wrong.

**cybsball20** · 03-10-2009, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by CarolinaCy

You're correct, it's not the first contract that you cash in on, it's the second and third, if you're that lucky/good. The thing with Brackins is that I think he needs to get as much as he can out of that first contract because I don't think he's going to command a huge salary with his 2nd contract, if there's a 2nd one at all. I hope he proves me wrong.

Not many athletes that have any confidence in themselves will subscribe to that line of thinking...

**benjay** · 03-10-2009, 11:22 AM

If he doesn't go, it means he's staying, vice versa. That's all I know.

**brentblum** · 03-10-2009, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

It's a job at the college level too, you just don't get paid and have more bosses...

I agree with most everything Cysball has said in regards to Brackins. The one thing that I don't belive is brought up enough that is in ISU's favor is the enjoyment factor of college. Sure...it is like a job, but there is something to be said for the fun factor of playing in college vs. pros.

I talked the other day with J.J. Redick and he said from a pure enjoyment/fun factor, college is ahead of the NBA for him. He said his favorite basketball memory is getting his jersey retired at Duke, because he felt he represented and gained the respect of an entire University. Granted...he hasn't had much success in the NBA and generated a lot more media interest while at Duke than he has down here in Orlando, but his point was playing in college without a contract in mind allows you to concentrate more on the fun part.

Craig by all accounts enjoys school and enjoys being a college student. The NBA life is a big contrast from the college one. The $$ is hard to pass up, but it's not automatic.

**Cydkar** · 03-10-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

Well, that beats what I was making coming out of college.

My point was more along the lines of what could he make if he stuck around another year and improved his status to top 10. Don't know if he's ever going to be lottery material - but I would've said the same thing about Fizer after his soph year.

Different players - but I think the comparison is valid. Marcus may have been a 1st rounder his sophmore year. Moved up to #3 (??) with that extra year.

Tough call for the young man. I just hope he gets GOOD information and doesn't become a casualty of greedy agents who tell him anything he wants to hear.

If he's the 20th pick this year he'll make 3.5 million over the next 3 years. If he stays and is the 10th pick next year he'll make 6 million over three years. Of course, he'll have a later start for the 2nd contract but I also think he'll be better prepared to make a bigger impact and earn a higher 2nd contact. jmo.

**cybsball20** · 03-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Cydkar

If he's the 20th pick this year he'll make 3.5 million over the next 3 years. If he stays and is the 10th pick next year he'll make 6 million over three years. Of course, he'll have a later start for the 2nd contract but I also think he'll be better prepared to make a bigger impact and earn a higher 2nd contact. jmo.

If he stays and is the 20th pick he will make $4 mill over 3 years, the first year being 0 income.