Detroit are taking on a lot of busts, Bagley and Wiseman, plus now Hampton (don't categorise him as a bust unless comparing him to his high school hype) If some blossom plus get Wenbayama, that's a very long team.

Orlando dropping players left, right and centre...

Mo Bamba gone for cash (waived Beverley)
T-Ross released and now in Phoenix
RJ Hampton released

Rumours they will be throwing money at Fred VanVleet but to be honest, Orlando never leak stuff so may possibly nothing more than a made up rumour. But they are definitely clearing the books for someone in mind.

In hindsight did Hampton make a mistake in coming to the NBL? Was majorly overshadowed by Ball. Next stars are really dominated by European kids especially with NBA getting scared and enticing them to gleague. Hope he can latch on with a team, has shown great potential so far, just seems to be in difficult situations so far with a deep team at Denver and other young guards in Orlando.

I wouldn't say he made a mistake coming to the NBL, the goal was for him to get drafted, and he eventually did. It's about finding the right situation for him, and making the most of the opportunities he has.

I do get the the point however, top draft picks usually are able to have more leniency in their first two seasons given they are the 'future' of the franchises that draft them. Which RJ Hampton could've benefited from. But it is all water under the bridge now.

Hoping he makes good of his opportunities, and minutes. My two cents view - if he wants get on the court, show that he can play defense. He has the length and athleticism, can score points, just needs to knuckle down and become a good team defender first.

By the end of this season Hampton will have made almost $7 million USD in his three seasons in the NBA. Say he never plays in the NBA again after this season and bounces around Europe and whatever for the rest of his career, a lot people would love to have that kind of money to fall back on.

The goal is to get drafted, preferably as a first-round pick and the guaranteed millions that come with it, mission achieved. Anything after that is a bonus.

If anything having LaMelo here and all the NBA teams watching him and by definition the Hawks opponents too likely helped him to get drafted as high as he did. No LaMelo means less NBA scouts and less chance of being a high pick.

Giddey was a top pick without Lamelo

I liked what I've seen of Hampton, he’s just been in situations that weren’t great for him, he’s definitely an NBA level player...

Dieng went 11th - this has nothing to do with Lamelo

I thought Hampton ended up being drafted a lot lower than was projected before he came to the NBL. Or am I thinking of the wrong guy?

Early projections are hard to rely on. I think he was expected to be in the lottery, but a year out who whos.

It is odd to give up on a first rounder in season like that. Its not like he's taking up salary. I'm guessing they tried to find a home for him in the trade period and nobody wanted him, which is equally odd. The Magic obviously have Anthony, Fultz and Suggs and don't feel they have the space to give RJ the time to finish the season so let him go somewhere where he can get minutes and Detroit is honestly perfect.