Arizona one year basketball star Jerryd Bayless was the 11th over all pick, going to the Indiana Pacers, in last nights NBA draft.
He was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, pending league approval.
Bayless appeared disappointed, frustrated and maybe even a little sad as his stock slipped and somewhere between four to six spots from what some experts had predicted. He was even asked about his somber mood by ESPN's Andy Katz. Not surprisingly he denied any disappointment.
Bayless's stock dropping is bound to spark debate about what would have happened had he come back to Arizona for his sophomore season. Those who wanted to see him come back are likely to say he would have been the number one pick in the 2009 draft.
I'm not entirely sure that would be the case.
Sure, he never got to play under Lute Olson. But the bottom line to me is the events of last years scared him off. Good, bad or indifferent. Sure he might have moved up the draft board next year and even moving as high as three would have meant a lot more money.
But I'm not sold he would have been the number one drafted pick. Need I remind you of Mile Simmon-who's draft stock fell so hard it knocked him right out of the NBA- after coming back following the 97 season in which Arizona won the National Championship and Simmon was the post season MVP.
Sure I would have been happy to see him come back, but happy or unhappy about it, I say good luck to you Bayless.
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