A few days removed from Henri Veesaar going down with a devastating pre-rookie season injury, it's difficult not to look back on a bold decision he and his camp made before the 2026 NBA Draft - the two-day event that saw him fall all the way to pick 52.
One of college basketball's most productive frontcourt prospects the season prior, it's clear to see why Veesaar opted to declare for the draft, but considering his unexpected slide and now a major injury that's expected to sideline him for the year, maybe he should've stayed another year.
It's easy to say this now, but when a spot in the NBA is on the table, players don't often like to pass up on the opportunity. It should be noted, however, that returning to college was a real possibility.
Veesaar could've cemented his status as a first-round pick, while still earning top dollar
Nowadays, players often have more incentive to remain in college, at whatever university, rather than go to the league.
For Veesaar, while North Carolina certainly didn't want to see him go elsewhere if it wasn't the pros, they may not have been able to retain him if he indeed went that route.
Other universities were prepared to offer him NIL deals worth at least $5 million - while UNC could've thrown around $4.5 million. It would've been for just one season, as that's all the eligibility he had left, but it's much more than he's set to make in his rookie season with the Hawks.
He ultimately opted for the guaranteed long-term money, but now with his season-ending injury, Atlanta could always decide to move off of his contract.
It isn't just Veesaar who's hurt. With Mo Gueye also down for at least the early portion of the season, the Hawks are just one more frontocurt injury away from being seriously thin down low.
There's now real uncertainty regarding Veesaar's future - leaving his camp with a major "what-if"
If Veesaar had taken any of the offers of nearly $5 million for the upcoming college basketball season, the injury may not have happened, and he would've proven his breakout year at UNC was no fluke.
A reliable, proven big man is always a need for most organizations, and him staying another year would've basically guaranteed his status as a first-round pick in the next draft.
Now, he'll have an even bigger chip on his shoulder to return and impress the Hawks' staff before waiving rumors begin to circulate.
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