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Is Oweh’s return less likely ?

Oweh is a nice college player. He will return to Lexington for next season, and he could played here two more years he would not be or ever be first round draft pick. He will make more money next year here than any year of his professional career. I bet he knows this and will be announcing soon about his return to the Cats. We will be blessed and fortunate to have him for 2025 - 2026 season.
Hope you're right but I'm a bit nervous right now, if I'm to be honest.
 
If he gets a 2nd rd guarantee, he gone.
Sorry he has said nothing to give reason to believe that. His only statement has been first round. Has said over and over he is in 100% to go through the process and he believes he is a first rounder. If not he has something good cooking back in Lextown. He has never said 2nd round anything.

Part 2: still is only showing on 1 persons mock draft as a round 2 (last pick).
 
I see Oweh as surefire second round pick

I think some 40-60 range team will consider select Oweh as a wing reserve

It depends on how Oweh thinks, if he thinks he can return back to school to improve his stock or just grab the nba opportunity now
Maybe he gets that 60th spot... oh yeah only 59 spots on the draft.
 
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I don’t think he leaves unless he can get a deal close to what he would get at UK.

Got to think Pope has the money to top what a NBA team would pay for a second round talent.

If not, then so be it. Good luck to him.
 
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Sorry, but his video in this thread sure seems to indicate otherwise. I sure don't hear him say anything about 1st round or return in that one. Where has he allegedly said he will only accept 1st rd?

"My goal is to get to the NBA. I'm going through the process, and if I get great feedback and can go all the way, I'll do that, 100%!"

"If I do choose to go back..."

Mocks change all the time, particularly after combines. I never said he would get a guarantee, but I believe he will take it if he does. I highly doubt he cares what round. If he is waiting on a 1st rd pick, he might want to start working on his LinkedIn page.
I am not going to go back and find at least 4 or 5 other interviews that state where I took my info. Those are out there if you wan to go look em up. Even the interview I saw yesterday (last one I have seen posted) he even talks about coming back. But I will tell you this: go watch one of the 10's of expert videos on the subject of who should stay in draft and go, the ones that discuss the verbiage of guys like Oweh that state they have something good to go back to and others that state the opposite view. We only have about 13 more days max to find out and no one can really know except 00. For me, unless he can jump at least 30 guys he will be back.
 
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He will be drafted, if you see nba draft combine

He is second round level already...
SHow me one mock draft that has him there. I have seen the combine. He is playing good but nothing to move the needle above others already being projected for all 59 spots. Combine does not even have the main draftees in it. It is for the outliers to prove they are heads above the other combine guys and make a splash big enough to move the needle above others projected.

You all do realize he will make more here next year than most of the late 2nd round guys as no one in the 2nd round has a guarantee on money.
 
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SHow me one mock draft that has him there. I have seen the combine. He is playing good but nothing to move the needle above others already being projected for all 59 spots. Combine does not even have the main draftees in it. It is for the outliers to prove they are heads above the other combine guys and make a splash big enough to move the needle above others projected.

You all do realize he will make more here next year than most of the late 2nd round guys as no one in the 2nd round has a guarantee on money.

Go read this article. Let me know where you see Oweh as a big mover, made a great impression, or anything.
 
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You guys didn't like my comparison of Oweh and Cason Wallace so here's another one. Christian Braun's initial NBA contract with the Denver Nuggets was a four-year, $13.77 million deal, which includes a team option for the 2025-26 season. His salary for the 2024-25 season was $3.09 million, and the team option for 2025-26 was worth $4.92 million, according to Spotrac.com and SalarySwish. Braun's rookie contract also included a guaranteed amount of $13.77 million, I think they have similar games, neither is a great outside shooter but both are dogs and can rebound play defense and get to the rim through contact. Oweh is a bit shorter but he is better then Braun at getting to the rim,

If I'm Oweh I have to be thinking about players like this making this kind of money over a few years and thinking if they can do it I can do it. Weigh that vs a sure 2 or 3 million in college for one more year and hope I don't get injured, This is why I'm leaning him staying in the draft. I haven't read how he's doing in the drills but I did see he had a decent game in the first scrimmage.
 
Ehh, NBA may not pay him as much in a single year, but a long term deal will net way more.

Chris Livingston was the last pick a couple years ago and got over 7 million guaranteed for 3 or 4 years I believe.
Partly correct, Per article's I read this morning only first 2 years guaranteed. 1.19 mil for each year. I am guessing years 3 and 4 are more yearly? Not sure. But in the article it was the first time a late 2nd round guy got a 2 year guaranteed deal.

I get the point, it can happen and if it happened for Oweh, he is a deserving guy to get that money. I just do not see that for him this year. He can get the same deal next year, make (whatever you want to believe at UK, 1.5 to 3 mil) whatever the amount.

Per Pope the team spent 200mil lol. That was a funny joke and a good way to poke a little fun at all of us trying to figure out what our roster cost.
 
But he can only stay at UK one year, an NBA contract would likely be 3 - 4, with so much guaranteed. Based on his own words, I feel like if he gets that guarantee, he will take it. And that would honestly be the smarter long-term decision.
Just like right above, it is extremely rare for a 2nd round contract to be guaranteed money, let alone for 3 or 4 years. Chris livingston was an outlier and he signed a 4 year but only 2 was guaranteed and only at 1.19 mil for each year. Other poster showed what NBA exec is telling Oweh, he will have a place at about 600k a year max. Why not come here 1 more year, get the money Uk is offering , oh and free room and board, all the amenities that the basketball team gets, save his $$$$$ and then go pro next year.
 
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According to Goodman (and he talks to people who would know), a guy of Oweh’s caliber is making 2.5-4M. A NBA team needs to want him bad enough to give him a fairly comparable deal. If he can get 3-4M guaranteed over the next few years, he has to take that, IMHO.

But is there a NBA team willing to invest that much money into him? That’s the question.

If he continues to do well at the Combine, but not well enough to get a guarantee, the smart move would be to leverage UK for some more money.

He gets one team to say, “well we will consider him in the second round,” then he can use that to squeeze a little more out of UK. Maybe push up to 4M. If that is what the top guys are making and he is a top guy, then he should make that. He should be a preseason All-American, All-SEC 1st team, a SEC POY favorite, and a NPOY candidate.

(Note: just going off rumors that his deal is 3-3.5M at UK for this coming season).
 
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Bobby Marks doing the lords work here.
A lot of difference between $600,000 and $3M.

You get injured and maybe you only make $1.2M and your career is done or you get injured and you made $3M.

Smart move is to go back to school, be a millionaire and get a degree.

I have a hard time seeing anyone walk away from the difference in that money.
 
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A lot of difference between $600,000 and $3M.

You get injured and maybe you only make $1.2M and your career is done or you get injured and you made $3M.

Smart move is to go back to school, be a millionaire and get a degree.

I have a hard time seeing anyone walk away from the difference in that money.
Well, and that 600K deal isn't going anywhere.

Giving up 2.4 million to potentially spend the next year or 3 in the G league is hard to justify to anyone, let alone yourself.
 
A lot of difference between $600,000 and $3M.

You get injured and maybe you only make $1.2M and your career is done or you get injured and you made $3M.

Smart move is to go back to school, be a millionaire and get a degree.

I have a hard time seeing anyone walk away from the difference in that money.
It's never nearly as simple as people would like to make it out to be. My guess is he's insured already, so getting injured isn't going to condemn him to the poor house either way. Also, there are more benefits to the NBA than just a contract while you are playing. In addition, there is endorsement money in the NBA on top of the contract.

People need to stop looking at a direct comparison of JUST the single year NBA salary vs the single year of college NIL which is not a salary.

That said, I feel strongly he's coming back.
 
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I see Oweh as surefire second round pick

I think some 40-60 range team will consider select Oweh as a wing reserve

It depends on how Oweh thinks, if he thinks he can return back to school to improve his stock or just grab the nba opportunity now
What makes you think that? There's literally no buzz surrounding him. None. His performance in the combine has basically been invisible. He hasn't sucked, but he hasn't impressed. None of the draft experts and gurus have him getting drafted except for one. I just can't understand this line of thinking.

I think your last sentence carries a ton of weight though. Ultimately, if he thinks it's NBA or bust, his decision should be based around what is best for his development. The problem is, he'd be giving up roughly (allegedly) $2.5M, and that's assuming he could actually get a two-way deal. To me, that's an insanely bad decision for him to make. Here's a hot take, he won't make $3M his entire NBA career. Take the bag and chase the dream next year.
 
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Ehh, NBA may not pay him as much in a single year, but a long term deal will net way more.

Chris Livingston was the last pick a couple years ago and got over 7 million guaranteed for 3 or 4 years I believe.
I wonder what Livingston would have done as a Freshman in this current basketball climate? He would have 3 years of eligibility left. A returning starter and possibly a star as a Sophomore. If he could potentially take in $3-4M a year versus the $7M he actually got paid?

That would be an interesting decision to make. Potentially make $9-12M in college or take the leap of faith and get your $7M and hope you stick in the NBA?

Food for thought.
 
Oweh is our most important piece in my opinion. He has the experience and has shown his ability to take over games (I.e. Oklahoma). I am hoping he’s in a UK uniform next season.
 
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Lots of 2nd rd guys get guaranteed money now. I was just showing how Livingston, the last pick and a very underwhelming player was able to get one just a couple of years ago. 2nd rd picks have been getting some really good deals the last few drafts.

It's a bet on himself long-term. Sure, he can stay at UK for a year and get a little larger payday but perhaps miss out on a longer term deal in the league with much higher earning potential. He has to weigh the pros and cons. But, based on his own words, his goal is the NBA, and with the good enough feedback, he said he was 100% in. So we shall see.
Every thing I have read, just finish re reading again, less than 1/3 of the 2nd round guys get anything better than a 2way deal meaning 600k deal. Reddit and nba type of info. Less that 1/3 of the 2nd round get any kind of 2 year guaranteed money. Most do not get anything. I am guessing most years the top 1/3 would be those guys. Sure like Chris Livingston, some later 2nd round get deals. Not very common at all. Even the google ai search gives summary of close to the same thing and it is reading several writeups to make up its AI overview (which I believe is not a great search).
 
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Livingston had no desire to be in college.
Yeah, that would be a factor.

But he wasn’t making millions in college. Some people like to make money and as much as possible. In fact, most people I know like to make money and as much as possible. And would staying in college be worth it, if you can make millions and live the college lifestyle and playing games in Rupp in front of 20,000 over riding a bus to the middle of nowhere to play a G-League game in an empty arena?

But he might have hated going to class so much, he still would have left.

We will never know, it’s all hypothetical.
 
That would be way off. I just did a quick search of names from the last two drafts. All of these guys were 2nd rd picks and got pretty good contracts. I did not search all of the guys, just names that I was pretty sure had gotten deals. I am sure there are several more if I went through each player in those 2 drafts that were 2nd rd. guys. In fact, I think the NBA just recently changed the guidelines around contracts and luxury taxes or something. Essentially, 2nd rd. pick contracts aren't counted against teams in the same manner as 1st rd., so they are able to make larger contract offers to 2nd rd. picks than in previous years.

Tyler Koleks

Oso Ighodaro

Kennedy Chandler

Leonard Miller

Jalen Pickett

Trayce Jackson Davis

GG Jackson

Bronny James

Jaylen Clark

Kyle Filipowski

Johnny Furphy

Adem Bona

Antonio Reeves

Ariel Hukporti (last pick this past year)

Jonathan Mogbo
Just going back to last year, easy search, picks below 49 (besides Bronny James and we all know why he got what he got), all were 2-way contract minimums and one player decided to play overseas.

My point being, Oweh was around 72 after the combine yesterday, he would have to jump almost 30 guys to get to possibility of some type of guarantee (unless he is one of the outliers like Chris or Bronny). More likely he would be back at UK over the other. If you think Oweh played great enough (despite what is on X from NBA front office folks which one was put in this thread), to get the 2nd round guarantee fine. I am just not one of those guys. I know if he comes back to UK he will get the reported 1.5 to 3.5 million. If Oweh is below the 48 or so pick the odds is better he picks up a Benjamin on the street than get that guarantee contract.
 
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On 3 article again stating from multiple sources they believe he will be back. One states he would be chasing the money he will make at UK next year over the first 3 years of NBA. So make x for 1 year, then over the next couple of years make more or make x for 3 years in the NBA. Just saying.

 
Not true. The 58th pick last year has a contract with the Knicks. 52nd pick got a contract with the Warriors.

I am not saying if he did or didn't. I am simply saying if he gets a guarantee, he certainly sounds like he would take it and run.
  1. San Antonio Spurs: Harrison Ingram, F, UNC: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  2. Indiana Pacers: Tristen Newton, G, UConn: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  3. Indiana Pacers: Enrique Freeman, F, Akron: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  4. Dallas Mavericks: Melvin Ajinca, G, Saint-Quentin: Will play overseas
  5. Golden State Warriors: Quinten Post, C, Boston College: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  6. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Spencer, G, UConn: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  7. Boston Celtics: Anton Watson, F, Gonzaga: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  8. Los Angeles Lakers: Bronny James, G, USC: Signed
    • Four years, minimum salary ($7,895,796). First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
  9. New York Knicks: Kevin McCullar, G/F, Kansas: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  10. Toronto Raptors: Ulrich Chomche, C, NBA Academy Africa: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  11. New York Knicks: Ariel Hukporti, C, Melbourne: Signed
    • Two-way contract

This is one of the sites that actually listed anything as actually made money.
 
Ehh, NBA may not pay him as much in a single year, but a long term deal will net way more.

Chris Livingston was the last pick a couple years ago and got over 7 million guaranteed for 3 or 4 years I believe.
It would have to be a deal that most 2nd rounders don't get though.
Oweh isn't some athletic freak with incredible potential, he's a good athlete by NBA standards and a sub par shooter.
I'm not sure there is an NBA franchise dumb enough to give OO a deal where he will make more money next year than he would at UK and have a guaranteed multi year deal that he wouldn't get after another year at KY.
That's the thing, Oweh is going to make over 3 mill at UK next year, then, he can go to the draft and end up with the same deal, or actually a better deal, because he's going to be a better player this time next year.
 
What makes you think that? There's literally no buzz surrounding him. None. His performance in the combine has basically been invisible. He hasn't sucked, but he hasn't impressed. None of the draft experts and gurus have him getting drafted except for one. I just can't understand this line of thinking.

I think your last sentence carries a ton of weight though. Ultimately, if he thinks it's NBA or bust, his decision should be based around what is best for his development. The problem is, he'd be giving up roughly (allegedly) $2.5M, and that's assuming he could actually get a two-way deal. To me, that's an insanely bad decision for him to make. Here's a hot take, he won't make $3M his entire NBA career. Take the bag and chase the dream next year.
I don’t believe that. You take the NBA money every time over NIL. NBA contracts are base salaries, there is extra endorsement money in the pros. I also believe there is a myth attached to returning to college to improve your game. There is no better education than an NBA schedule against NBA players.

In most instances, the best decision is NBA if given the choice between the draft and returning to the college game.
Oweh might be one of those rare players that could improve their draft status with another season in school. He could easily get a much larger national recognition and try and get drafted next summer. This class is extremely deep and talented, next year will most likely, be weaker.
I’m saying 65-35% he does not return.
 

It's pretty out there if you look. I was just giving you something that showed the breakdowns of their deals.

It only correlates to Oweh in that you call keep incorrectly claiming 2nd rd picks don't end up with contracts or guaranteed deals. They do and it's becoming more and more common. I was just simply providing the evidence.
I love the fact that a site you go to is good and if I go to a site it is trash. AGAIN IT DOES NOT MATTER . They have nothing to do with Oweh. I will believe what I want and you go and believe what you like. I see more writeups that Oweh is expected to be back than to leave. People on here ( not all) want us to worry every second of every hour of every day over things like this.

1. If Oweh can get 10,000,000.00 to play next year in Australia and he wants to go fine. If he gets 1.5 mil for 2 year contract and wants to go to NBA fine. I do not follow the guys once they leave UK. Never have and never will. No hard feelings, the NBA died with Magic, Bird, Isiah, Worthy, MJ. I have not watched since those days.

2 If Oweh comes back great for UK. He is a perfect college player.

The rest if just stilly at this point.
 
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But, it's already been pointed out a lot do get them.

This whole argument that he is so bad the NBA would never want him, yet he is the crucial piece to #9 is a bit weird. If he is what we need to win big next year, he is probably good enough to be a 2nd rd pick.

Do you have any actual evidence of this 3+ million number or just the rumors?

Can he not improve in the NBA with an opportunity for more than a 1 year deal?
Nobody is saying the NBA doesn't want him , what we are saying is, there are holes in his game that are critical to guys that qualify for the NBA, but his physicality is critical to what UK needs at the 2 and 3 and at 35% from 3pt range, he's a serious weapon in college.

He’s just not a guy you typically see gett9ng good eeals in the NBA. He’s a 2 guard in the league and his stats, for that position, are not good.
 
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That would be way off. I just did a quick search of names from the last two drafts. All of these guys were 2nd rd picks and got pretty good contracts. I did not search all of the guys, just names that I was pretty sure had gotten deals. I am sure there are several more if I went through each player in those 2 drafts that were 2nd rd. guys. In fact, I think the NBA just recently changed the guidelines around contracts and luxury taxes or something. Essentially, 2nd rd. pick contracts aren't counted against teams in the same manner as 1st rd., so they are able to make larger contract offers to 2nd rd. picks than in previous years.

Tyler Koleks

Oso Ighodaro

Kennedy Chandler

Leonard Miller

Jalen Pickett

Trayce Jackson Davis

GG Jackson

Bronny James

Jaylen Clark

Kyle Filipowski

Johnny Furphy

Adem Bona

Antonio Reeves

Ariel Hukporti (last pick this past year)

Jonathan Mogbo
Just asking here, because I don't recognize a lot of those names, but how many of them are shooting guards?
Oweh is a 2 at the NBA level and you better be able to hit at a high percentage if you want to play the 2 in the NBA.
I just don't want to compare Oweh to guys that were 3's, 4's and centers.
 
But, it's already been pointed out a lot do get them.

This whole argument that he is so bad the NBA would never want him, yet he is the crucial piece to #9 is a bit weird. If he is what we need to win big next year, he is probably good enough to be a 2nd rd pick.

Do you have any actual evidence of this 3+ million number or just the rumors?

Can he not improve in the NBA with an opportunity for more than a 1 year deal?
Go back to a Jack Givens: Great college small forward. Could not make it in the NBA. Not every player that is good in the NCAA will be good in the NBA. Jack at 6'5" could not compete at the 3 in the NBA and he was not good enough 2 to have a long career there. 2 years is all he played in NBA. How has all the young guys Cal pushed towards the NBA turned out? I am sure they have all had tremendous careers as they were 1 and done at UK, right?
 
Lol, dude, I can't help your source was incorrect. I simply provided a breakdown of the contracts by year they got and then provided you legit new sources that confirm the article. If you feel that is incorrect, then you're free to provide evidence that they in fact we're given contracts. It shouldn't be hard.

I am simply basing it off Oweh's own words from his recent interview. He essentially said if he gets a guaranteed deal he's going to take it. I have no reason to doubt him. You are the one who seems bothered by that being brought up.
No because in that same interview he also stated he has something good at Kentucky as well. If he is sure of the NBA thing he would hire the agent and keep his name in the draft right now. He is still working out for teams, trying to see if anyone will give him the confirmation he is looking for, which he has not so far or again he would have hired the agent and gone down that path.

Only an idiot would go into the NBA draft and say, well there is no way I will be drafted but heck I just wanted to see what the fuss is about. He would say he is 100% in on the process. He did not say is is any % in on staying in the draft with 2nd round money. He has stated first round guarantee money is what he is looking for and only a few on here including yourself is going after people discussing things like your sites are factual. if you have each of those guys signed contracts then put them on here, the actual signed documents, other than that the site you show is a person showing info to go along with their points, you know the same thing you say I am doing here. I know that 100% of everything on the internet is factual and true.

Again this is nothing more than a pissing contest. I could care less your sources. I like debating things on here but remember all this factual info on the internet (yours or mine) that we show can be incorrect. Unless you actually are the agent for said players it does not matter.


If you believe OO is ready for the NBA as a 2 Guard and will compete that is great. My opinion is that he is not. I bet OO does not care what either of us thinks.
 
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