Michigan Basketball: What to think about Wolverines NBA departures

Three Michigan basketball players Ignas Brazdeikis, Jordan Poole and Charles Matthews declared for the NBA draft Tuesday, but will any be back?

Michigan basketball fans got some unsettling but expected news Tuesday when star players Charles Matthews, Ignas Brazdeikis and Jordan Poole announced they were declaring for the NBA draft and hiring agents.

Of course, it was expected that all three were going to do exactly what they did. I even predicted that recently, talking about who would do what when it came to the NBA draft.

The question was whether any would hire an agent and all three have decided to do that according to the press release put out by Michigan basketball. Here it is directly from the University:

"“Charles, Jordan and Iggy have all decided to take the next steps in pursuing their dreams of playing in the NBA,” said U-M coach John Beilein. “The new process is a unique experience and one that my staff and I will assist in every way we can. We want each of them to utilize this opportunity to get more feedback so they can make the best decision possible for themselves and their families. All three are remarkable young men with amazing futures in front on them.”"

Since all three players are going to hire agents, at first, it sounded like the worst possible scenario for Michigan basketball, which is losing all three. Yet, the University of Michigan explained that players can hire agents and still return to college. Here is the explanation:

"Under newly adopted NCAA rules, college players are allowed to retain the services of an agent during the evaluation process. If they choose to return to school, they must end the relationship with the agent and they will not lose any eligibility. Additionally, players can also now return to school after going undrafted without losing eligibility, but only if they have participated in the NBA combine."

So all three guys still have the chance to return to the Wolverines if they want. Right now, Michigan basketball is full in terms of scholarships with Jalen Wilson and Cole Bajema coming in and it was expected to work itself out with Matthews leaving for the league.

But, Brazdeikis, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, probably has the highest draft stock of all three. It’s easy to see him staying in the draft and being selected mid-second round based off potential. Poole doesn’t seem ready and feels more likely to return, while I suspect Matthews is going through to the draft process to through the end. Maybe he will return if he goes undrafted but he could go to the G-League too.

Ultimately, with Jon Teske, Zavier Simpson and Isaiah Livers all back, along with young guys like Colin Castleton, Brandon Johns and David Dejulius, as well as Wilson, a top-50 prospect, even if just one of the three ends up being back, Michigan should be a top-25 team next season.

Now, the waiting game begins and so does the search for replacements on the recruiting trail and the graduate transfer market, should one or two roster spots end up being available.