Now that Derrick Rose has announced he’s going into the NBA draft we wait for CDR to announce his intentions. He’s got 12 days to make this decision and I hope he reads this and makes what I believe is the right one. I think his decision was affected by Cal’s extension being signed, sealed and delivered. But if he hasn’t made up his mind, I hope this influences him.
1. He is currently projected in most mock drafts as a 16-24 pick. While I don’t necessarily agree with those projections I think it will turn out that way. But if you look at the 2009 draft CDR will likely be a top 10 pick minimum. If he has the same type season as well as NCAA tournament then it is possible he’ll find himself in the top 5. The difference between a top 5 pick and a top 25 pick is multiple millions of dollars. The school will be able to take out an insurance policy on him that will more than make up for middle to late first round money since they’ll be able to insure him as a top 10 pick next year. I think this isn’t much of a gamble in all honesty.
2. A lot of folks (not me) are going to say that CDR was buoyed and his numbers skewed by Derrick Rose. They’ll say that he isn’t as good as his numbers indicate. I disagree and feel that Buckets is as good as I’ve seen in a Memphis uniform. But a second consecutive Final Four run will solidify him as one of the top 5 Tigers EVER. His number 14 will be hung from the rafters on Senior Day next year ala DeAngelo Williams. I know that’s a bold statement but I think it would be warranted.
3. Next year’s Final Four is in Detroit, MI. That is his hometown and would be a fitting finish to an outstanding Memphis career. I expect the Tigers to have a determination to get there again like we’ve never seen. They will hear all off-season about how they will drop off with the loss of Derrick Rose. They’ll have another Gibralter sized chip on their shoulders once again. Can you say destiny?
4. He will be the frontrunner for the National Player of the Year next season in my opinion. I know that means nothing in terms of dollars but that is an award few ever get the opportunity to compete for. I think he should have been selected over the overhyped one at North Carolina. He’s head and shoulders better than Baby Huey at UCLA. And no disrespect to Stephen (don’t call me Steven) Curry but he’s not in CDR’s league.
5. Finish what he started with the much ballyhooed 2005 recruiting class. CDR, Antonio Anderson, and Robert Dozier will go down as the most successful recruiting class in Memphis history. It is likely that they will get at least 33 wins next year. That would give them some 134 wins over a 4-year career. I’d say averaging 35 wins over a college career makes them unforgettable.
in Tiger fans
Responses to “5 reasons why CDR should stay at Memphis”
April 16th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Great article, hopefully he does read this. I completely agree that CDR could become one of the top five greatest player at Memphis if he decides to stay. He will definitely be the forerunner as player of the year next year. He is definitely my favorite player since penny, and him staying would definitely give me an unbelievable amount of solace after what occured a couple of weeks ago. Go Tigers!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
If CDR is definately 1st round pick, he has to go to the draft. If he is a lower lottery or mid-level first round, he’ll be guaranteed seven figures in NBA salary alone, and potentially much more from shoe company endorsement. Given the love Memphians have for CDR, he could pick up money from endorsements as well. The difference between being the 25th pick and the 1st pick is huge, but so is the different between being the 25th pick one year and not drafted next year. CDR could benefit more going as a mid-level pick this year than a pick five or six slots higher next year because he’ll have more time in the league to make money and will be closer to his 2nd contract. The Tigers will be great with CDR, but the team has enough talented guards that we’ll be okay. Afterall, CDR benefitted from Darius Washington leaving early, and who knows who will benefit if CDR goes. Who would have ever thought CDR would be better than D-Wash?
April 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
To look at CDR and think he’ll drop his draft status next year is creating a negative thought. He can be insured, as I said above, so that if he’s injured and it affects his draft status then he’s paid off.
The truth of the matter is with the signing of Evans it makes staying even more attractive to CDR. Teams will still not be able to 100% concentrate on him yet again. It is far more likely that he’ll jump at least 10 spots in the draft that he’ll drop into the 2nd round. The 09 draft is just that week and his should complete another season as one of the top 5 players in the country.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Good argument. Unfortunately, I have have to agree with Latilleon. If he’s mid-first round, he has to go. You just don’t pass up on that kind of money. You can get insured against injury but that is about it. I love CDR, want CDR back. But take the money and run, buddy. I would.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
The money situation is exactly why he SHOULD STAY. The fact of the matter is that the 2009 draft is much thinner and it is likely that CDR will be at worst the #10 pick.
Looking at this year’s rookie salary scale the best CDR can expect as the #16 pick (is where many projections put him so I’ll call that best case) is a 4-year deal worth $6,413,410 and a 5th year qualifying offer of $3,186,140. If he were to drop to 25 as suggested by a few mock drafts then his 4-year deal would be worth $4,592,940 and a qualifying offer in the 5th year of $2,638,530.
Now if he waits and will in all probablity get into the top ten. I won’t put him above 5th next year and won’t go past 10th. That means he should make between $8,614,148-$12,961,116 in the first 4 years. Now I went to public schools but that means he’s got a low end difference of $2,200,738. And it could be a difference as much as $8,368,176.
And by staying another year it increases his visibility on the national stage. Which would in turn create more marketability once he gets into the NBA and a bigger shoe or other type advertising deals. It is possible that if Tyler Hansbrough leaves CDR will be the odds on favorite for POY. That type of hype is a marketers dream.
This reasons are major ones for staying another year. Just look at the names in next year’s draft and you’ll see what I’m talking about. CDR will likely be the biggest “name” in that draft.
By the way, the difference in the year one deals between the #5 pick and the #25 pick is $1,769,200. That’s quite a chunk of change and worth the risk especially if he can be insured as a top 10 pick in the 2009 draft.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:12 am
What think you are disregarding though is that CDR would have a extra year of career earnings from NBA salary and endorsements by declaring this year. And you are also making a big assumption that next year’s draft will be weak, and this one is strong. Last year, the assumption was the 2008 draft would pale in comparison to the 2007 draft. There wasn’t going to be a “Greg Oden” or “Kevin Durant.” Oddly enough, Michael Beasley appears better than Kevin Durant, and Derrick Rose could possibly be a better NBA point guard than Greg Oden will be a NBA center. CDR is as well known this year as he could possibly ever be, and since it is unlikely the Tigers will have a run next year like we had this year (I’m hoping, but there is a reason why no NCAA team has ever won 38 games before). You are also making an assumption CDR can only drop in the draft, but he could rise. CDR is a tall and long shooting guard that plays great defense, can shoot the ball, dribble, and take the ball to the basket. CDR is also a leader and a great guy. The Clippers could view CDR as a replacement for Corey Maggette, Golden State you use CDR, the Knicks could use him if Jamal Crawford (one of their few tradable assets) is traded.
Staying one more year shaves a year off the end of CDR’s career, and more times than not, that last year’s salary is significantly higher than the average salary of even the highest rookie deal.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Your assumption the 2009 class will be weaker isn’t necessarily true. Tyreke Evans could come out early, as could D.J. Augustin. Tyler Hansbrough will be in the 2009 draft. That’s just a few. There are several others that will be in the 09 draft that are just as talented as CDR.
But if the current projections are true, then I’m of the opinion he should stay. Not because of getting back to the Final Four. But because next year he could and more than likely will be a lottery pick. That means a lot more money.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:29 am
i think there are 6 reasons why CDR should not stay at Memphis…zeros on the end of a contract ($x,000,000).
May 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Both Derrick and CDR are gone. CDR’s momma retired. If momma ain’t happy……
That said, if WW commits to the Tigers in a couple of hours as most think he will, and we get Ebanks on board, we’ll have the #1 recruiting class in the nation.
Just think of it. Antonio and Robert come back to join Taggart, Mack, Kemp and Robinson along with Garcia, Simpkins, Reke, Wes and maybe Ebanks. We’ll be right in there.
Loading ...
10 comment.