Kentucky forward Chris Livingston has opted out of all his upcoming pre-draft workouts, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Livingston had seven impending workouts still scheduled, according to Charania, who says the decision has fueled speculation that a team may have made him a draft promise.
Livingston is currently projected to be the No. 56 selection in ESPN’s latest mock draft. Given his standing on big boards, he may have received an offer for a guaranteed two-way deal on a team that particularly interests him, John Hollinger of The Athletic tweets, noting that Livingston would not need to be drafted in this hypothetical.
Assuming, however, that a team has promised to use a draft selection and standard roster spot on Livingston, Hollinger considers clubs with multiple second-round selections and available slots to be the prime candidates (Twitter link). The Hornets, Thunder and Wizards could be candidates, Hollinger adds.
The 6’6″ forward was named to the SEC All-Freshman team during his lone NCAA season with the Wildcats. Across 34 contests in 2022/23, he averaged 6.3 PPG and 4.2 RPG.
I’d be curious what the long term differences are for a guy who is slated to be a fringe NBA player right now who may be shuttled back and forth, versus stay in school another year, get NIL money and develop your game. Maybe his ceiling is just a two way player or G league
If you have an opportunity to go to the NBA you take it, nothing is guaranteed.
Washington Generals
I feel like if one of those three teams guarantees a roster spot you still do the workouts in hopes of any of the 25 better teams pick you.
Perhaps there is a tiny flair up of an injury or something and he doesn’t want to risk anything (which seems like a wise decision).
Now other GMs know he won’t be available as an undrafted, so they may feel the need to spend a 2nd round pick on him if they value him
Agency ploy?
He is a player that didn’t benefit by going to Kentucky.Instead of going with the trend.He should have gone to a school where he could have work on his game and that needed him.And he would have not been in this position.