It’s the big night for Armel Traoré. The ADA Blois winger presented himself at the NBA draft which will be held on the night of June 26 to 27 at the Barclay’s Center in New York. The 21-year-old, however, seems to have little chance of being called in the first round by Adam Silver.
A second round draft?
However, if Armel Traoré was drafted and benefited from an NBA contract, his current club, ADA Blois could receive money. “As we are on a multi-year contract, he can conditionally leave with an NBA contract, explains Julien Monclar, general manager of the ADA. When you are drafted in the first round, you are sure of having a contract so there, in quotes, the financial interest of the club is more important. But that’s not the trend. »
The various projections from specialists place him, at best, in the second round which will take place on the night of June 27 to 28. “When you are drafted in the second round, you can have a contract but it is not obligatory, further specifies Julien Monclar. If he has a contract in the second round, the club will have something. In my opinion, this is the prettiest option for Armel today because the first is quite unlikely. »
The general manager also mentions a third way: “Afterwards, there is also the option that he has a so-called two-way contract: around the draft, there is a bit of a transfer window, without being drafted. If he has none of that and he leaves for a European or French club, as we are the ones who have the contract, there is a negotiation which will be carried out with the club concerned. »
“We would be delighted to send our first player to the NBA”
In the first round, the amounts are generally around 850,000 dollars (793,458 euros). “It’s not net money for the club for the club, even if, in the first round, the club would make a relatively interesting operation, believes Julien Monclar. Unfortunately, I don’t think the question needs to be asked. »
In the second round, the amounts represent a little less than half of those in the first round. “Once again, I insist, the second round does not mean that we receive the money. We get it if there is a guaranteed contract. It’s quite rare in a second round for NBA franchises to do this, it happens about one time in four. »
The general manager of ADA Blois, however, wants his player to be drafted: “We want him to be taken because it would validate the sporting work that has been done this year with Armel. It’s still the ultimate league, the ultimate reward. It’s the best so we really wish him the best. We would be delighted to send our first player to the NBA”.
Seen by nine franchises since May
Since the end of May, Armel Traoré has been in the United States where he has completed nine workoutsprivate training offered by NBA franchises. “Armel is someone who has a lot of intensity in him, a lot of desire, a lot of hard work so I know that he did Armel and that he gave 100% every time. Decision-makers have additional elements on top of everything they have all year round, reports. »
One thing nevertheless surprises Julien Monclar on the projections of this draft for French players: “We see that boys like Zaccharie Risacher or Tidjane Salaün are expected top 2, top 3 or top 15. Certainly, they are better ranked with their teams but these are boys who are below 10 devaluation when Armel is almost at 15 on the season. Without there being that much of a difference in playing time. On the other hand, they are both two years younger, it’s quite interesting to observe that”.
Anyway, for everyone, first answers tonight.
