T-Minus Two Days
The deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from this year’s NBA draft is this Monday, June 18th, which means that our DeVon Hardin has two more days to make a final decision. From Netsdaily.com:
For the second time this month, there is word that the Nets are very interested in a particular big man. Earlier, it was Josh McRoberts. Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets were so "intrigued" by McRoberts they might commit to him at #17. Now, Andy Katz of ESPN writes it’s Cal’s DeVon Hardin they like: "There is definite interest from New Jersey at No. 17 and Golden State at No. 18." Hardin wants a top 20 guarantee or he heads back to Berkeley.
Netsdaily.com in turn, was quoting from this article by ESPN.com’s Andy Katz.
Also of note, the Nets also worked out former Cal player (and eventual Fresno State transfer) Dominic McGuire, but don’t seem to like him nearly as much. Go Bears.Cal coach Ben Braun hopes to hear from Hardin over the weekend about his decision, but Hardin is certainly acting as if he’s staying in the draft. And he may have a good case.
There is definite interest from New Jersey at No. 17 and Golden State at No. 18. If either team can assure Hardin that he’s not going below them, he may stay in the draft. Hardin’s original goal was top-20, and he may just have that within his reach at this point. Hardin was limited last season with injuries but has always been an NBA talent.
If he returns, the Bears have a shot to be a formidable foe in the Pac-10, with Hardin and Ryan Anderson as two of the top scoring forwards in the West. If he doesn’t, a huge burden will be put on Anderson to produce with some likely double teams.
