5 transfer portal targets that make sense for Michigan Basketball

Michigan basketball has already expressed some interest in transfers and here are five players in the transfer portal right now that make sense for the Wolverines. 

Juwan Howard and the Michigan basketball program face a critical offseason. The Wolverines didn’t meet expectations in 2021-22 but still advanced to the Sweet 16.

However, the best player on that team, Hunter Dickinson, is likely headed to the NBA draft. DeVante Jones has already said he will pass on his extra (COVID) year for the draft.

Eli Brooks is gone too and there is a good chance that Adrien Nunez and Brandon Johns will be gone too, although there seems like an outside chance Johns returns, especially depending on who Michigan is able to get via the transfer portal.

The Wolverines have four freshmen coming in. So if Johns and Nunez join Brooks and Jones, plus Hunter leaves that would be six departures because Zeb Jackson is in the portal too.

Then if Moussa Diabate or Caleb Houstan leaves for the NBA draft, Michigan could have three openings, and there is always the possibility that another current player transfers too.

So the Wolverines could be looking to add as many as 3-4 players from the transfer portal. If that number gets up to four, I could see Johns possibly returning. Again, it all depends on the kind of players you can get and you want to make sure it’s an upgrade.

Much of the need will depend on current roster decisions. For instance, if Moussa Diabate comes back, he would likely start at the five, so center wouldn’t be a huge need with Tarris Reed coming too. Then, power forward might be a bigger need and trying to find someone to play alongside Moussa.

Or if Moussa and Hunter leave, then Michigan basketball will likely be in the market for two bigs in the transfer portal. The Wolverines also need a shooting guard or combo guard. They need someone who can shoot and defend in the backcourt — with some size.

And depending on what Juwan feels about Frankie Collins, they might need a point guard too.

Obviously, more names will flood into the transfer portal but based on who is in there right now, here are five transfers that make sense for Michigan basketball.