Raptors optimistic heading into draft despite position, realities of NIL era |
For a long time, the running joke around top college basketball prospects having second thoughts about turning professional was along the lines of "he can’t afford the pay cut."
It was a nod to years of rumours and occasional truths about some college players being paid to play back when that was explicitly against NCAA rules.
But with the arrival of the NIL era — where college athletes can profit from their "name, image and likeness," which began in 2021 and has only picked up momentum since — the old joke has never been truer.
With the NBA draft set for June 23rd and 24th, fewer athletes than ever are leaving school early since the prospect of a multi-million dollar payday in college outweighs the benefits of being drafted for all but those guaranteed to be taken in the top half or top two-thirds of the draft.
For 2026-27, the 20th pick in the NBA draft is eligible for a two-year contract that can be worth as much as $4 million in the first season. The 30th pick is eligible for a two-year deal starting at $2.56 million. Players taken in the second round often sign two-way deals that are not fully guaranteed and are projected to be worth $580,000 this coming season.
Some college players have looked at the math and decided they will make more than that by staying in school.
As a result, the challenges of finding NBA-quality talent outside of the draft lottery and certainly into the second round have gotten increasingly difficult.
“I would say it's definitely been impacted by the new........