Landry could be drafted in late-first round
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 06/27/2007
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The NBA draft is Thursday, and for the first time since 2000 a former Purdue men's basketball player is expected to be drafted.
Carl Landry, who led the Boilers in scoring for two seasons, is projected to be drafted in the late first round to mid-second round.
"It's looking real good," Landry said. "People say I could possibly slip into the first round, late first round. A lot of people say I'm early to mid-second round. You just never know. This draft is really deep."
Most draft Web sites have Landry projected in the mid-second round. NBAdraft.net predicts Landry will be taken by Portland with the No. 42 selection. Rivals.com predicts the Bulls will select Landry at No. 51, and Draftexpress.com thinks Landry will be taken with the No. 53 selection by Portland.
Landry said he had workouts and visits with several teams in the last month. Several of the teams he's worked out for have picks in the part of the draft Landry is projected to be taken.
"I've been working out for several teams. The Spurs (pick No's. 28, 33, 58), the Bulls (No's. 49. 51), Charlotte (No. 22), Miami (No's. 20, 30), Portland (No's. 37, 42, 52, 53), Minnesota (No. 41), Houston (No. 26) and I'm on my way to Philadelphia (No's. 21, 30, 38) right now."
While the difference in the projected picks may seem minuscule, they will have a tremendous effect on Landry's future income. First round selections in Thursday's draft are guaranteed two seasons on their first contract, according to mynbadraft.com.
Whoever is taken No. 20 will make $1,028,200 his first year, while whoever is taken with the final pick of the first round, No. 30, will make $771,000 his first year.
The difference from first to second round selections is huge. Second round picks are not guaranteed salaries, although some second round picks have negotiated for it in the past.
Landry said after a month of traveling the country working out for teams and doing interviews, he is ready for it all to be over on Thursday.
But, who is his favorite team?
"Whoever takes me is my favorite team," he said with a laugh.