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NBA Draft Rumors: Jabari Parker would be top pick in 2015 if he returned to Duke

By Josh Hill

Mar 16, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) walks off after the game. The Cavilers defeated the Blue Devils 72-63 in the championship game of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) walks off after the game. The Cavilers defeated the Blue Devils 72-63 in the championship game of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) walks off after the game. The Cavilers defeated the Blue Devils 72-63 in the championship game of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) walks off after the game. The Cavilers defeated the Blue Devils 72-63 in the championship game of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

There is a lot of debate about what Duke freshman Jabari Parker should and will do this offseason when it comes to declaring for the NBA Draft or returning for another year with Coach K at Duke. Paker is projected to be one of the top picks in the draft this year but if he decides to stay another year, he could improve his stock and come out as the No. 1 pick.

According to ESPN NBA Draft guru Chad Ford, if Parker decides to stay with the Blue Devils in 2014-15, he’d shoot straight to the top of the big board for next year’s draft.

Ford isn’t wrong, as there just isn’t anyone to match Parker in the 2015 class as of right now. Let’s not forget how draft stocks fluctuate throughout a given season though, as Marcus Smart returning for another year hurt his status and Parker runs the risk of a career altering injury.

Still, if he stays — which is a very real possibility — the Blue Devils star may come out way ahead of where he’d be this year and go from possible No. 1 overall pick to sure-fire No. 1 pick.