Just when it looked like UCLA might escape the worst of the Pac-12's early NBA departure hits this offseason, five-star Bruins signee Daishen Nix opted to join the NBA's developmental program instead.
This is a game-changer not only for UCLA and the Pac-12 but for all of college basketball, since the G League was not expected to go after players who had signed college letters of intent under its original developmental program announced in 2018.
But, in an apparent attempt to compete with developmental options in Australia and elsewhere, the NBA significantly upped its 2018 plan (which did not attract anybody) and offered significant six-figure money to Jalen Green before Nix also jumped on board.
UCLA will still be expected to compete for a Pac-12 title next season, though the loss of Nix means the Bruins will have to rely heavily on Tyger Campbell again at point guard while Smith appears to be on the bubble. (Nix was also once an Arizona recruiting target FWIW).
As of now, Arizona is taking the conference's biggest early departure blow (though that was pretty well known in these parts), while Washington will lose Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart off a team that puzzlingly finished in last place last season.
Here's the full list of Pac-12 teams who lost (at least temporarily) players to the NBA draft pool. More than half of these players are expected to remain in the draft and not return to school.
Arizona: Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji (all three gone)
ASU: Remy Martin (likely gone), Romello White (uncertain)
USC Onyeka Okongwu (gone)
WSU: C.J. Elleby (uncertain)
Colorado: Tyler Bey (probably gone), McKinley Wright (expected to return)
Utah: Both Gach (expected to return)
UCLA: Chris Smith (uncertain)
Stanford: Tyrell Terry (uncertain)
Washington: Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Stewart (both gone)
All of the uncertain players could have an impact on the Pac-12 race with their decisions, but Smith and Terry are especially of interest, since both of their teams are in position to make a run for the league title if they stay.
Wright could similarly help Colorado but he is already believed to be more likely to return, while Martin would keep ASU in contention but he isn't expected to stay.
As of now, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon and Colorado (plus ASU if Martin stays) appear to be the teams to beat but there is still a lot of roster movement and NBA decisions ahead.
SI says the Tyrell Terry and ASU situations are among those to watch.
