March Madness 2018: Buying or Selling Final Four Stars' NBA Futures

The one-and-done studs have all been knocked out of the NCAA tournament, but that doesn't mean the NBA is ignoring the Final Four this weekend in San Antonio.

There are still some interesting prospects left in the tourney. They just happen to be old.

I took a look at the top players left in the tournament and tried to project what they will be as pros in a buy-or-sell format. Whether I'm buying or selling is based on whether I think they'll make it in the league, and whether they'll end up besting their current draft-based projections.

Clayton Custer, Loyola Chicago

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Projected draft position: Undrafted

Buy or Sell: Sell

Clayton Custer, Loyola-Chicago's leading scorer (13.2 ppg) and assist man (4.2 apg), still has one more college season to prove his value to NBA scouts. Point guards like Custer, who are undersized but are highly intelligent—think Fred VanVleet—have had some success in recent years, but Custer cannot match VanVleet's quickness.

His shooting (45.4 percent from deep) is attractive, and he was recruited at the high-major level (he started his career at Iowa State). He also won Missouri Valley Player of the Year, an award that VanVleet won twice. 

As for as Loyola's overall talent, it's probably comparable to George Mason's 2006 team that was also a No. 11 seed and made the Final Four. That roster did not put one player in the NBA.

Moritz Wagner, Michigan

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Projected draft position: Mid-to-late second round

Buy or Sell: Buy

This is not a bet on Moritz Wagner becoming a starter in the NBA, but on him eventually playing in the league.

Wagner's skill level and shooting are attractive, especially in today's NBA that values big men who can shoot. He's Michigan's leading scorer at 14.3 points per game on 39.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He's helped himself over the last year by adding sbulk to his once-slight frame. 

That he's also part of an elite defense this season has helped his stock. The Wolverines rank fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com. It marks the first time Wagner has been a part of a top-50 defense. Before, Wagner's defense probably would have come into question. 

His foot speed is going to be an issue, but at 6'10" with the ability to shoot with legitimate range, he's likely to get drafted and eventually play in the league.

Charles Matthews, Michigan

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Projected draft position: Undrafted

Buy or Sell: Sell

Charles Matthews was once viewed as a surefire NBA prospect, basically because so many who enroll at Kentucky are viewed that way. But after warming the bench for the Wildcats, he made the smart move to transfer to Michigan last year.

John Beilein has found a place for the athletic wing. He projects as a three-and-D guy, but he's not there yet and should return to school. His scoring (13.0 ppg) has been encouraging this season, but he needs to improve his outside shot, where he's made just 32.0 percent from deep this year.

His athleticism is certainly intriguing, and Beilein has a track record of producing quality wings in the NBA, including Tim Hardaway Jr. and Caris LeVert. 

If Matthews is not able to improve his jumper and become a more efficient scorer, he looks like a guy who will be stuck in the G League.

Devonte’ Graham, Kansas

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Projected draft position: Early second round

Buy or Sell: Buy

Many teams made the mistake last year of passing on National Player of the Year Frank Mason III, who slipped to the second round and is now clearly one of the steals of the 2017 draft.

His former backcourt mate, Devonte' Graham, is a different type of player, but he could also provide more value than where he's projected to go. Graham is a plus shooter (40.3 percent from distance) and a better passer than people realize, because he spent his first three years at KU playing off the ball.

He's averaging 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game this season, and while he's not as good as Mason at creating for himself, he's improved a lot in that area this season.

Graham is also a winner. He has started on three straight No. 1 seeds and has now led a group to the Final Four. His personality and intangibles will be something that should stand out in the pre-draft process. 

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas

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Projected draft position: Late second round

Buy or Sell: Buy

Scouts had cooled on Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk after his first three years at Kansas. He was viewed as a sure pro when he arrived at KU as a 17-year-old out of Ukraine who had performed well at the international level. But Mykhailiuk was mislabeled as a shooter, and when he didn't shoot the ball well early and struggled to crack KU's rotation, his stock fell.

But he has put himself in a great spot with a breakout senior season. He is now one of the best shooters in college basketball and set the KU single-season record for made threes.

He has a quick release and can shoot with plenty of range. He's also improved as a ball-handler and is comfortable attacking a closeout. Defensively, he struggled last year and was too heavy when he tested the waters at the draft combine. But this summer, he lost weight, came back much quicker and became one of KU's top defenders.

His shooting alone is going to put him on an NBA roster, and the other areas he's improved should eventually put him in a rotation. Also worth noting: The senior is still just 20 years old.

Jalen Brunson, Villanova

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Projected draft position: Late first round

Buy or Sell: Buy

Jalen Brunson is probably going to slip into the late first round or early second round because NBA teams will worry about his lack of speed and explosiveness. That's a mistake.

Brunson might not be quick, but he goes where he wants because he's strong and crafty off the dribble. It's hard to find a guard with his level of feel and intelligence. Villanova has also used Brunson as a post-up threat this season, and that's something that could be effective in the NBA as well.

He's not as flashy as former Indiana Pacers great Mark Jackson, but some of what made Jackson great will give Brunson a chance. His craftiness can make up for a lack of quickness.

His father, Rick Brunson, spent nine years in the NBA and has his son well-groomed for a long career. Rick was a fringe rotation player—in his best season he averaged 5.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. Jalen's ceiling is higher than his dad's. 

Mikal Bridges, Villanova

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Projected draft position: Late lottery

Buy or Sell: Buy

Buy. Buy. Buy.

Mikal Bridges is going to go in the lottery, but he's likely to outplay his draft spot because of the tendency to use the top-five picks on one-and-done freshmen. But can you think of a better fit on the wing in today's NBA?

Bridges has developed his jumper through the years and turned into a knockdown shooter. He has made 43.6 percent of his threes this season. He has also added an off-the-bounce attack to his arsenal.

Then there's his defense. If he's not the best perimeter defender in this draft, he's second to Creighton's Khyri Thomas. Bridges is long and can guard multiple positions. He has a chance to be one of the best wing defenders in the NBA.

If all he does is continue that defense and proficient three-point shooting, he'll be a valuable NBA wing.