NBA Draft: Chandler Hutchison shutting down workouts is really strange
Chandler Hutchison has clearly received a draft promise from an NBA team. Should the Boise State star have accepted it so early?
The NBA Draft process is just starting to crank up, but Chandler Hutchison has elected to shut his process down. The only rationale explanation for Hutchison’s choice is that he’s received a promise from an NBA team that he’d like to play for.
This is a calculated risk by Hutchison, his representatives and the team that made him a promise. Everyone involved is trying to predict the NBA Draft over a month before it begins. That’s a very difficult thing to do.
For Hutchison, you have to believe he’s been given a promise in the first round. That means he’s going to become a guaranteed millionaire. For a four-year player from Boise State that’s a pretty solid outcome.
Chandler Hutchison has withdrawn from the NBA Combine and canceled all workouts after receiving assurances he's found a "safe landing spot." It appears that he has secured a promise from a team drafting in the 20-30 range. Hutchison is currently slated #24 on the ESPN mock draft
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 16, 2018
It’s not necessarily the best possible outcome for Hutchison though. He’s giving up the chance to rise up draft boards by deciding not to work out our interview with any other teams. Hutchison doesn’t have the talent to break into the top 10 of the draft, but it’s possible he could have risen into the late lottery with solid workouts. Showcasing an improved three-point shot could have really raised his stock.
Hutchison isn’t the only part who is taking on risk in this scenario. The team that extended him the draft promise also has a lot to lose. Obviously, the advantage for the team is increasing the probability that Hutchison will fall to them. It’s not a certainty though. Another team could still elect to draft him ahead of the promised spot.
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The real way the team can lose is if another prospect they like more experiences an unexpected fall on draft night. If a better prospect falls the team will face a very difficult decision. They can either honor their promise and forego the more talented player or they can break their word and really put Hutchison in a bad spot. That represents a real no-win situation for the team in question.
It will be interesting to see just how this gamble turns out for everyone involved. At least Chandler Hutchison has a very good idea of where he’ll be moving once draft night is over.