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Official game day thread- Duke vs Wake Forest II

Unless Foster is hurt or sick, the fact that he never got into the game tells you all you need to know.

15 mins in a 35 point win Sat, yet 1-7 from floor, 1 assist. I’m not in his head so saying disengaged may not be fair, but he just never “had it” for the 2024-2025 College Basketball season. Unless he is sick or injured (and it could be possible) for him to not see the floor in such a rout in the final home game is incredibly telling.
 
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Louisville, Duke and Clemson could be the only ACC tournament teams. Maybe UNC, but they may need to beat us or make the ACC tournament finals.
Chris, I think they could easily backdoor their way in. Bubba Cunningham heads the committee. He's a sneak and the ultimate deal maker.

OFC
 
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Actually wrong. He would make more money next year at Duke then the nba
This year his NIL was $4.8 million and that included deals with Gatorade and Fanatics and a shoe deal with New Balance. Even if that doubled that would be $9.6 million.

The max salary for last year’s number one pick was 4 yrs $57 million (14.25 per). This year it’s probably in the range of 4 / $60 million. $15 million per. His first year (based on next year estimates) would be just above $13 million.

But one then also has to factor in that he will still have the endorsement deals with potentially even bigger contracts on shoe and endorsement deals. So that in itself could be a wash on the NIL.

He would probably have to make $16 million plus on an NIL to equal turning pro.

Finally, the sooner he goes to the NBA the sooner he gets to his second contract 4 years from now - which if it’s with his drafting team could be a max deal this year would start out around $35 million. If it’s a 5 year deal it’s worth around $200 million. By the time Flagg gets to his max deal in 4 seasons —assuming he balls out at the NBA level — that number will probably be 5/$250 million or in the range of 4/$180-200 million. Though tv ratings are down and contracts are dependent on ratings. Still he would be 22 when he signed and he could go with a 3 year deal to get to year 7, where after year 7 a player can swing a SuperMax deal like Brown did with the Celtics and got $304 million for 5 seasons. The benefit of that it that Flagg could get to each of those deals a year sooner. So the future earnings potential is higher as well as the first year numbers.

From a financial standpoint it is clearly better to go to the NBA.

Now, for guys who won’t be drafted in round 1, the contracts are not guaranteed and you have to make the team. It could probably benefit Evans and Proctor to stay. If they perform well they could get in the first round. Evans, if he gets stronger could be a real force and be a lottery pick a year from now with his shooting ability vs struggling to make a team.

Going in round 2 does not earn a guaranteed deal. You have to make the team. If a team really believes in you as a second rounder you could get a 3 or 4 year deal at $2 million per. Max.

So it’s conceivable they could make as much or more at Duke in NIL. Maybe a bit less. However they could improve their draft stock. On the other hand a player like Proctor - it’s possible being a 2nd round pick in the 40s as he’s predicted to be this year could be the best he is going to get. Another crop of freshmen are entering CBB who will be draft eligible and will Proctor improve his draft stock?

But I’d love it if both stayed and if we retained—a must — Malik Brown. He and Slim are crucial to contending next year. If we had Proctor, Brown, and Evans with the incoming freshmen, we should be really good.
 
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I was. This team is really good. The only reason I am not saying we will cut the nets down is that 99 was the biggest disappointment of my sports life. That was brutal. Thank God we won 2 years later. It was also after a time (the mid 90's) when North Carolina was kicking our *** on a regular basis. It's us and Auburn right now.
That was brutal. There is no guarantee. Auburn will also have been a lot more battle tested. We will go against at least a few teams that are really physical and play strong D like Clemson but also may have real fire power. That will be a tough run.

That said, this team is a joy to watch with depth as well. Most enjoyable Duke team for me since 2001. We need Malik back for sure and need to stay healthy to have a chance. Touch wood.
 
That was brutal. There is no guarantee. Auburn will also have been a lot more battle tested. We will go against at least a few teams that are really physical and play strong D like Clemson but also may have real fire power. That will be a tough run.

That said, this team is a joy to watch with depth as well. Most enjoyable Duke team for me since 2001. We need Malik back for sure and need to stay healthy to have a chance. Touch wood.
Great post!

OFC
 
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What a fun and enjoyable game to experience, as it has been for most of the season. It was great to get Tyrese back out there and it allowed him to knock off some shooting rust before at UNCheat. Wake tried to hit us and be physical early, and we didn't back down, it was the only chance Wake had to make a game of it. This is the best passing Duke team I can remember, and I think that is why Caleb is completely out because he seems to be more of a dribbling 1on1 player. He did look engaged on the bench though when the walk-ons were in.

The Crazies chanting "1 more year" at the end of the game to Cooper, Kon, and Mal was amazing. However, none of them will be back.
Sure, more money could be made at Duke next year with an insane NIL package compared to a rookie NBA contract. But that is pennies compared to the $500 million contract sitting for Cooper once he completes his rookie contract in 4 years, that is why guys leave, it makes them that much closer to the pot of gold.
 
Definitely concerning that Foster didn't play at all.

We had 18 OR to their 21 DR, so we rebounded nearly half of our own misses for the second game in a row.

Good to see Mason play so well.

What if Mal came back? Hear me out... he'd go high on potential alone, but he could make really good NIL money here as a soph and go even higher next year after realizing some of that potential. It would delay his 2nd NBA contract by a year, but it would have him a year closer to earning a bigger 2nd contract, development-wise. He hasn't been playing basketball that long. If it takes his entire first NBA contract to start developing, that 2nd contract wouldn't be as big.
 
Definitely concerning that Foster didn't play at all.

We had 18 OR to their 21 DR, so we rebounded nearly half of our own misses for the second game in a row.

Good to see Mason play so well.

What if Mal came back? Hear me out... he'd go high on potential alone, but he could make really good NIL money here as a soph and go even higher next year after realizing some of that potential. It would delay his 2nd NBA contract by a year, but it would have him a year closer to earning a bigger 2nd contract, development-wise. He hasn't been playing basketball that long. If it takes his entire first NBA contract to start developing, that 2nd contract wouldn't be as big.
Mal back would be awesome. But I would be more than happy with a front line next year of Maliq and Big Pat, and I think that has been the plan all along, as we haven't recruited a C for this recruiting class. I think we would lose Maliq or Big Pat if Mal comes back.
 
It's wishful thinking, of course.

Cameron Boozer isn't a true center, but he's definitely a versatile post player. I'd like to see us pick up a post banger (s/o @roshanritter!) in the transfer portal, too.
 
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