Andrew Wiggins declared for the 2014 NBA Draft already, and now many wondering if Jabari Parker will do the same. However, it may not be set in stone yet as there is still a chance that Parker decides to stay for his sophomore year and play another year of college basketball with the Duke Blue Devils.
According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, general managers from all around the NBA are starting to get worried about Parker's status on deciding to stay or leave early and turn pro.
“That’s what’s in the air right now, Parker staying, but we haven’t heard anything official,’’ one Eastern Conference GM says.
The idea of Parker staying would ruin a lot of future plans for several NBA teams, particularly the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers, both teams who have their sights set on drafting either the Duke star or Kansas' Wiggins.
Nonetheless, teams know they're four strong franchise-caliber players in the upcoming draft with Wiggins, Parker, Joel Embiid and Julius Randle. It would hurt many if Parker drops out of that group, especially since he is regarded as at least the second-best or the best NBA prospect coming into June's draft.
I think Parker ultimately decides to go pro. There are too many incentives to give up on if you don't go pro. Look at what happened to Jared Sullinger and Harrison Barnes in the past. Both made cases as lottery picks, but ruined their stock because they decided to stay for another year.
I know Parker must be butt-hurt over Duke losing in the tournament. Parker didn't play to well either, but no one is going to give a damn (do you remember Kevin Durant's run in the tournament with Texas?). Heck, Parker wouldn't even be going to college in the first place if the NBA age rule wasn't changed back in 2006.
With that said, here's some advice Parker: take the money and run, pal.
