A closer look at Tahaad Pettiford's NBA Draft decision

Post-lottery mock drafts are divided on the Auburn phenom, but there are reasons for fans to be optimistic about a return.

(Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers)

AUBURN — Since Auburn basketball’s historic campaign came to an end at the Final Four in early April, one question has been burning the most for Tigers fans:

Will Tahaad Pettiford come back for a second season on the Plains?

Pettiford wasted no time in declaring for the NBA Draft, with the news breaking before the national championship game was even played in San Antonio.

But, like Auburn fans have witnessed for multiple years with Johni Broome and other standout Tigers, declaring for the draft doesn’t mean the end of a college career.

Pettiford entered the draft process while maintaining his eligibility. And, unlike others who are currently in that same process, Pettiford made it clear that if he didn’t go to the NBA, he was going to stay at Auburn. He didn’t enter the transfer portal.

“If I return, it will be to Auburn,” Pettiford told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony when he announced. “I can't leave this type of situation. I trust (Bruce Pearl) with all my heart, so I will roll with him. Loyalty is important to me.”

While the NBA playoffs are in full swing at the moment, this week has been a massive one for the draft. On Monday night, the draft lottery took place, with the Dallas Mavericks snatching the No. 1 overall pick despite having some of the longest odds.

(Cue the Luka Doncic trade conspiracies.)

It’s also NBA Draft Combine week in Chicago. After a G League Elite Camp that included Auburn products Dylan Cardwell and Miles Kelly, Pettiford and Broome are going through drills, medicals, interviews and more in front of all 30 NBA teams.

Right now, opinions on Pettiford’s NBA Draft stock are pretty split among those who cover the league. Here is where Pettiford is listed in 15 different mock drafts that were published after the lottery took place Monday night: