3.27.2007

Could Morris be forging a slippery slope to avoid NBA Draft?


There's an interesting little story out of New York these days ... which is interesting to me because hardly anything in New York is a little story.

Yet I'm surprised this "little story" isn't getting more play from the national media.

Two weeks ago, Randolph Morris was trying to help his Kentucky Wildcats beat the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Now, he plays for the New York Knicks.

How did he avoid the NBA Draft? Well, apparently there's a little-known loophole that allows players who declared for the draft -- but were not drafted -- to essentially become free agents.

Morris declared for the 2005 NBA draft, but was not selected. Because he did not sign with an agent, he was allowed to return to college. However, Morris could not enter the draft again, and technically has been a free agent all season. He was expected to join the team over the weekend. And if the Knicks make the playoffs, he will be eligible to play.
Does this sound like a scam waiting to happen to anyone else? What in the world is going to stop a marginal player with a lot of potential from declaring for the draft as a freshman, assured that he won't get drafted, only to blossom in his last few seasons and able to choose from among the highest bidders in an effort to win his services? (Comforting to know that I'm not the only one who sees what this loophole could do.)

The NBA would do well to close this loophole, and keep this from happening again. Otherwise, they might have a monster on their hands.

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