Green, Interrupted

I don't get it either Roy.

Just when we had relaxed a bit we were caught in mid-celebration for Tyler's return by a blindside hit. Or at least I was. I had heard the rumors that Danny was working with his dad separately from Roy and gang on making draft decisions, but after the Friday announcement I mistakenly let down my guard.

What does Danny have to gain from this?

Plenty if he can get someone to believe he belongs in the first round. And, given the unlikelihood of that happening, he and his father must think that even a second round pick could lead to some cash, which, presumably, is what they are after here.

Of course, if he does go in the second round and does not make a team, he could always play in the NBA Developmental League. Salaries in the NBADL are in the $30,000 a year range, however, the exposure to NBA scouts and management equate it to a very extended NBA camp. And some players do get "called-up" occasionally, so the opportunity for big money is there, albeit not the norm.

There is always the European/former Russia/Mid East leagues option. Plenty of talented, but not NBA-caliber former UNC players have gotten paid playing across the pond. Jason Capel, Dante Calabria, and Ademola Okulaja are just a few. The average salary depends on the country, but as an educated guess, depending on the league, a good player could make several hundred thousand dollars a year.

For Danny, though, you would almost have to dismiss the overseas idea based on the inability of his dad to be able to obtain a passport and leave the country with a felony conviction on his record. This may be easier than I think, though. If not, it seems like, unless Danny is going to be the cash cow for the Green family and just send money home a la migrant worker, he would miss the family time he has purportedly been longing for with his father.

How good is Danny compared to the other small forwards in the draft? Assuming he would be a small forward, that is. A team could plug him into the shooting guard rotation and Danny could produce. Thinking through it, Green is small for a small forward at 6'6"/210, but he could theoretically put on some bulk and muscle and maybe get to 230 or 240. It is plausible that a team would see his strengths in shooting and at least the ability to drive as an opportunity to add another small puzzle piece to their team who could contribute a few quality minutes a game.

DraftExpress has Danny ranked as the #10 small forward prospect in the draft, which, considering the depth of this year's prospects (sharks) would place him, I believe, near the bottom of the second round.

Let's look at two players who were picked near the bottom of the second round in 2007 and see where they are now.

DJ Strawberry (6'5"/201 from Maryland)
Picked 59th by the Suns, Strawberry managed to sign a two-year $1.4 million contract with them before being reassigned to the NBADL in December of that year. In January, 2008, he was called back up to Phoenix. He plays 8 minutes a game and averages 2 points. This is a success story for low second round picks, and DJs athletic ability is what allowed him to get even this far, as he was tested as the best athlete overall in last year's pre-draft camp in Orlando. NBADraft.net rated DJ an 89 out of 100 prior to the draft. Only the first year of Strawberry's contract is guaranteed, or about $430,000.

Reyshawn Terry (6'8"/232 from, well, you know)
Reyshawn was drafted 44th by the Magic, and then traded that day to the Mavericks. Never making the Dallas roster, Terry now plays for Basket Aris in Greece, averaging 9 points and 5 boards. The Mavs still hold Terry's NBA rights should they be interested in signing him in the future. NBADraft.net also rated Reyshawn an 89. Based on Euroleague salaries, it would be consistent for Reyshawn to be making $300,000 this season.

Both of these players are more athletic than Danny at this point in time, and were better prospects coming out of college than Danny as well.

But who knows? Danny could impress in Orlando and then get to the NBA by a circuitous route through the NBADL or overseas. Or, he could NOT get picked and then be up a creek.

As with the others, best of luck to you Danny. We hope you find what you're looking for.