A friend of mine, who has some knowledge of things sent me this in an e-mail:
Neither NaVarro Bowman nor Lewis Ewvo seem like one and done types and likely not even two and done types, so UCLA might very well be in a position to get both.
As of now, we only have two spots open and it's not clear that anyone will actually leave.
If Daily got beat out by Jovic, I could see him taking off, especially if Kusturica has a good FR year (10 PPG would be a good FR year) and Philon starts getting more PT as the season wears on.
A lot will depend on how Cronin uses his roster. If he only plays 8 guys and someone like Robinson or Freeney plays less than 10 MPG, they might bolt.
If he uses 10 guys and Brandon Williams is #11, he might walk and that would open a 3rd spot.
I want Eric D to have his best season ever, since that's what would be best for the team and for him, but if he does fall back and leave, that would likely free up the most money, I assume he's getting $3 million or more this year.
I would be very surprised if between revenue share and NLi, Cronin didn't have a major boost this past season. To get Perry, Daily and Booker to come back (and Freeney too, I'm sure he had to get over $1 million to come back) and then bring in 8 players, including guaranteeing Kusturica $12 million over 2 years, he had to have $16 million or more, as opposed to the $11 million he had in 2025.
He likely will be able to get $20 million+ for 2027, especially if the team makes the Sweet 16 or better and then returns most or all of its players.
A 6-2/3 combo high school guard like Bowman likely will get $3 million at most, even with inflation, and possibly less coming out of high school.
Ewvo is going to get $6 million at least, possibly $8 million. That's where Cronin could feel the squeeze if he has to make better deals for all of the returning players.
Muhammed Diop could be our #2 post prospect after Ewvo. He has more offensive skills than Ewvo and more muscle (and he looks a legit 7-0), so he could very well be both the better college C and the better NBA prospect down the road. I like his motor too.
I'd be very pleased with a class of Bowman and either Ewvo or Diop. It won't be a very highly-rated class, a two-man class, but it might be just what we need to add some depth for the 2027-28 season and keep us at a very high level for 2028-29 and beyond.
Because he'll have so many vets who will be in the program for multiple years even after this one, Cronin might skip the portal this recruiting cycle and save a lot of money doing so.
Micah Gordon can't possibly be taller than 5-8 and even that might be generous. But I like those types of players too.
Dylan Betts just turned 16 in March, so he'll be 18 when he enrolls in college in the 2028-29 season. That's one reason why a lot of people don't think he'll be an impact player until his 3rd year of college. A lot of high school players are 19 or 20 when they enroll in college.