Michigan Basketball: Predicting departures before key deadlines

Michigan basketball players are coming up on an important deadline on Sunday, which is the deadline for players to declare for the NBA draft. 

In the middle of all the talk surrounding potential transfer Terrence Shannon, Michigan basketball is coming up on some important deadlines when it comes to the 2022-23 season.

Regardless of whatever Shannon decides, the most important decision facing the Wolverines this offseason is Hunter Dickinson’s.

The former All-American carried the offense last season and was the biggest reason U-M was able to reach another Sweet 16. If he returns, Michigan basketball will have a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten next season and who knows what else depending on who else returns or is added to the roster.

By Sunday night, players have to decide if they are going to declare for the NBA draft. If players don’t hire an agent they can return as Dickinson did a year ago, so declaring for the draft doesn’t necessarily mean those guys won’t return.

Michigan basketball has three guys with pro potential, as well as some guys who might transfer, and as Sam Webb indicated, in his opinion, some attrition would happen (subscription required).

The deadline to enter the transfer portal and be eligible to play next season is May 1. Players don’t have to decide by then but need to be in the portal by then so it stands to reason that any Michigan player that will wind up in the portal will be in by May 1.

So, with all these deadlines looming, here is a final prediction on who will stay or go.

Michigan basketball roster predictions

Hunter Dickinson: Stay 

There has been a ton of buzz about Dickinson staying for another season and it makes sense. He can cash in on an NIL deal and probably make close to what he could make playing in the G-League next season. It wouldn’t shock me if he declared for the draft and was evaluated but unless he knows he’s going to go in the second round, I don’t see him leaving. At Michigan, he can work on his game (he’ll be a pro eventually) and still earn money while chasing championships.

Moussa Diabate: Go

This is just my opinion but if anyone is going to leave out of the three potential NBA guys it will be Moussa. NIL is a great way to entice guys to stay but for a time, international players were banned from getting it. And while that sounds like that’s not an issue, Diabate probably won’t make what Dickinson will and he’s got the potential to possibly get drafted. Even if not, he can develop in the G-League (which is what he needs) and get paid to hoop. Fans talk all the time about how he needs to develop, well what better way than playing basketball full time?

Caleb Houstan: Stay 

Houstan could easily go. He was projected as a lottery pick before the season but didn’t play like one. He did shoot 39 percent from 3-point range during Big Ten play and showed a lot of potential, but another year of seasoning would do him a lot of good. If he plays like he did at the FIBA Tournament last summer, more consistently at Michigan, he’ll get drafted in 2023.

Transfer: Isaiah Barnes

If Shannon is added to the roster, Michigan basketball will either need a player to transfer or have someone become a walk-on. I don’t know how possible that is but I’ve said all along the numbers should work themselves out. There were rumblings about Barnes entering the portal shortly after the season but it hasn’t happened. Yet, the possible commitment of Shannon, could change that.