Updated NBA Mock Draft Heading into 2014 Final Four

[NewsCopy]

22. Phoenix Suns: Elfrid Payton, Louisiana, 6'3", PG, Junior

Elfrid Payton had a monster junior year, averaging 19.2 points, six boards, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals. And he led the Ragin' Cajuns to an NCAA tournament appearance, where he went for 24 points, eight boards and three steals in a loss to Creighton in the round of 64.

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[CajunEXPRESS]

LSU junior forward O'Bryant announces he is otta there even though he is projected as late second round. All signs are for EP to be taken in the late first round.

[CajunJack55]

What date does he have to announce by?

[burdman]

What date does he have to announce by?

The deadline to go or stay is one day before the spring signing period. Don't know what day that is exactly, but it's sometime this month.

[burdman]

Looks like the spring signing period starts on April 16th. So I think he has to announce by April 15th.

So let me end the speculation, by April 15th he will announce he's going pro. You can book that.

[CajunJack55]

I agree Burdman

[CrazyCajun]

If it's a done deal...then why hasn't he? Especially during recruiting with limited schollies

[burdman]

It's not his problem to worry about scholarships. I would assume he's doing his due diligence to make sure he would be no worse than #30 (guaranteed contract).

If he's going to a 1st round pick, it's a gots to go situation. And all indications are he will be a 1st round pick.

When you burst onto the scene, everyone talks about what you can do. If you stay, everyone starts talking about what you can't do.

[Boomer]

It's not his problem to worry about scholarships. I would assume he's doing his due diligence to make sure he would be no worse than #30 (guaranteed contract).

If he's going to a 1st round pick, it's a gots to go situation. And all indications are he will be a 1st round pick.

When you burst onto the scene, everyone talks about what you can do. If you stay, everyone starts talking about what you can't do.

-----And this process needs to be done w/o an agent ---correct???

[burdman]

-----And this process needs to be done w/o an agent ---correct???

If he wants to retain his eligibility, he does this without hiring an agent.

[CrazyCajun]

It's not his problem to worry about scholarships. I would assume he's doing his due diligence to make sure he would be no worse than #30 (guaranteed contract).

If he's going to a 1st round pick, it's a gots to go situation. And all indications are he will be a 1st round pick.

When you burst onto the scene, everyone talks about what you can do. If you stay, everyone starts talking about what you can't do.

First round is a must go, what I'm saying is he obviously is still considering it or he would have declared, seeing who else declares etc. it's obviously not a done deal. I know it's not his job to worry about scholly's but if he knew already he would have declared.

[burdman]

Ok. He's got 2 more weeks to declare so if he hasn't done it yet, he's obviously staying. Got it.

Edit: Would be great to watch next year if he stays, but I just don't see how he doesn't go when he has this much momentum right now. His stock won't be higher next year unless his numbers are definitively better. And if he comes back and the jump shot still isn't fixed, teams will move from 'We can fix his jumper' to 'I don't know if this kid will be able to be a consistent shooter.'

And the wave he's riding from Team USA last summer will be a distant memory.