The Case For Staying

By Craig Leighton
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Updated: March 23, 2015

Most Friar fans realize that there are several reasons why Kris Dunn may consider entering the NBA draft this year. Guaranteed money as a first round pick and risk of another injury are two of the most talked about reasons.

However there are also several reasons why he could decide to stay at Providence College. Some of them are listed below:

Room for Improvement – Even though Kris was Co-Big East Player of the year he is really still just scratching the surface of his talent. He can still improve his outside shot, his handle, and his turnover rate. People forget that he was still not able to fully work on his game last summer due to his second shoulder injury. Another full offseason to work on his game should work wonders.
Draft Position – Right now Dunn is projected to be picked anywhere from 17th to 25th in the first round of this year’s draft if he comes out. Let’s say he winds up at 22nd. He would get a contract of roughly $1,160,000 a year guaranteed for two years. There would also be a team option for years three and four. Many draft experts and NBA scouts have said that if Dunn stays in school another year he could easily wind up very high in the lottery in next year’s draft. Let’s say he drafted with the seventh pick next year. He would get a contract $2,590,000 a year guaranteed for two years with club options for years three and four. Quite a difference. An NBA team is also more likely to pick up those year three and year four options on a lottery pick as they would have a lot more invested in the player.
The Second Contract – NBA players start making serious money with their second contract. The goal with every new player in the league is to put yourself in as good a position as possible to get that lucrative second deal. If a player is picked high in the lottery he is going to be given every chance to play and prove himself. A player taken in the twenties could wind up riding the bench for two years or shuttling back and forth between the NBA and D League. Hard to make an impression that way. Fab Melo is one of several players taken in the late first round who spent most of his time in the D League before being cut loose.
Education and the College Atmosphere – Some players could probably care less about these two benefits of staying in college. Others may think that they are priceless. I believe that Dunn and his family feel that an education and the college experience is very important. It is a key factor they will have to weigh when making his decision. It’s one thing to be the BMOC. It is entirely a different thing to shuttle back and forth to the D League where the only thing they charter is a bus.
Endorsements and Sneaker Deals – If Dunn remains in school there is a very good chance that he will be a first team All American and a very well known national player next year. One of the keys for endorsement deals is name recognition and he will have tons of it as a first team All American and high lottery pick.

Obviously the higher Dunn is projected to go in the draft the more likely it is he will seriously consider turning pro. However, the decision will not be easy either way. The one thing that I am most confident about is that Dunn and his family will make the right decision, whether that is to stay or to go. Friar fans can just be thankful they had a person of Dunn’s character in their program and that he was a big part of rebuilding the reputation of the Friars.

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33 Comments

Kebert Xela

March 23, 2015 at 9:58 pm

I hope God Shammgod has a good talk with him
Andrew Linscott

March 23, 2015 at 10:11 pm

Agree but Dunn’s future is a little brighter I think…hopefully he doesn’t pull a Rick Ledo. Tough decision for him
Darlene Calise

March 23, 2015 at 10:16 pm

Paleeeeeese stay Kris!!!!! lol
John Colson

March 23, 2015 at 10:21 pm

Would love to see him stay but wouldn’t blame him for leaving.
Barrett Anselmo

March 23, 2015 at 10:24 pm

I’m pretty Shure the last game said a lot about him that he’s not ready for the nba to many turnovers and he choked but I wouldn’t blame if he left due to him being injury prone
Mario Teixeira

March 23, 2015 at 10:30 pm

What you mean to say is…I hope Cooley signs Shammgod to the coaching staff then Shammgod can pull his magic & keep Dunn around!
Scott Silvia

March 23, 2015 at 10:30 pm

He’s gone…
Derec Lamendola

March 23, 2015 at 10:32 pm

I DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T DON’T WON’T KRIS DUNN LEFE DEREC LAMENDOLA DEREC LAMENDOLA AND IM CRYING TONIGHT Becuasse HE LEFING ME WHY I DON’T WON’T KRIS DUNN GO NBA DRAFAFT And HE IS ONELY JUNIOR COMING UP Pleryas DO THIS FOR ME
Mark McGiveron

March 23, 2015 at 10:33 pm

Scott – you have information to share? Or just being pessimistic?
JB Winterblues

March 23, 2015 at 10:50 pm

Don’t do it. Only get 4 years of PC once in a lifetime.
David Levesque

March 23, 2015 at 10:53 pm

The guy is a turnover machine. Flashes of brilliance but he absolutely needs another year.
Keith Buohl

March 23, 2015 at 10:54 pm

The decision will be made by Mr Dunn and his family that is obvious. They are close and very thoughtful. Coaches will offer advice and they will listen. I hope they realize the upside to staying far outweighs the pros of entering the draft. He will be a top 5 pick in 2017.
Mark Lachapelle

March 23, 2015 at 11:10 pm

After his performance in the ncaas i wouldn’t draft him
Eric Carrier

March 23, 2015 at 11:11 pm

His parents will have him stay! They want him to have a degree and he can get it next year!! He will stay
Eric Carrier

March 23, 2015 at 11:11 pm

Got a $100 says he’s not
Scott Silvia

March 23, 2015 at 11:13 pm

I hope not but to many risks in staying
Donald E Scott Jr.

March 23, 2015 at 11:13 pm

I dont think he ready for the NBA
Jeremy Nunes

March 23, 2015 at 11:20 pm

I wish him the best with whatever decision he makes. He’s seems like a genuinely good kid.
Neil Primeau

March 23, 2015 at 11:21 pm

Dunn isn’t even close to polished yet.
Christopher DaCunha

March 23, 2015 at 11:35 pm

He’s a smart kid… He’s staying!
John Cappuccilli

March 23, 2015 at 11:44 pm

I’d be surprised if he goes pro.
Christopher Dursi

March 24, 2015 at 12:18 am

I asked his father at the St. John’s game in NYC during regular season if he was leaving. His father’s response was “where is he going to go ” – for whatever its worth –
Michael Hey

March 24, 2015 at 12:18 am

Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith

March 24, 2015 at 12:19 am

Word, read this earlier… Could go either way I think it’s 50-50
Michael Hey

March 24, 2015 at 12:20 am

I think so too. Stressing it man!! Be so sick if he comes back next year!
Michael Graham Adamowicz

March 24, 2015 at 1:14 am

Biggest reason to stay: unfinished business.
John Heatherton

March 24, 2015 at 1:21 am

Tell him to talk to Ricky Ledo, if he can find him.
John Jacob

March 24, 2015 at 2:25 am

Needs one more year of playing to polish his game before the NBA. He is a very good player but his jumper is fairly inconsistent and he still makes too many turnovers for the next level.
Jason Brush

March 24, 2015 at 2:54 am

He would be nuts to stay. Why bust his ass all season and then lose another first or second round game to another also-ran…LIKELY IN THE NIT? I hope he leaves and makes tons of money!
Rick Williams

March 24, 2015 at 2:29 pm

Normally I’m in favor of opting for the money but only if the player is ready. For instance, I think the NBA should follow the MLB system. I love Kris Dunn’s game, but he still need to work on the obvious things and get stronger. Friars ’69
Norman Lavallee

March 24, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Very difficult decision, wishing you the very best Kris Dunn! Great mentors at PC and great role models, Coach Cooley and the coaching staff! I am sure that they are helping you to make this decision in your best interest! Good luck!
Toby Shea

March 24, 2015 at 7:33 pm

Case for staying in two words … God Shammgod
Steve Kenney

March 24, 2015 at 9:36 pm

“Inconsistency” is not a good label to enter the draft with.