Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

LJ Cryer's NBA Draft Projections Float $215 Million Superstar as Potential Teammate

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Adams | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 9:41 PM ET

LJ Cryer's NBA draft projections remain a bit of a mystery despite the Houston Cougars star being a major reason why the Big 12 power is playing for a national championship. The majority of NBA mock drafts project Cryer will go undrafted.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo left Cryer off their list of top 50 NBA prospects playing in March Madness. Cryer's teammates Milos Uzan (No. 24) and Joseph Tugler (No. 36) both made the list instead.

The good news for Cryer is that the guard can still use the pre-draft process to boost his stock. Cryer has already been able to earn money as one of the top college basketball players in the Big 12 with a projected NIL value of $349,000, per On3.

Pro Football and Sports Network's Jayesh Pagar outlined the top potential landing spots for Cryer. Fans know that the Golden State Warriors are okay taking older NBA prospects like Cryer, who is 23 years old. The analyst makes the argument for the Warriors making a run at Cryer to pair with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

"The Warriors could be a strong landing spot for L.J. Cryer," Pagar wrote on April 4. "Their point guard future is a real question mark. Stephen Curry is 37. While still elite, he won’t be around forever. Golden State has to start thinking long term, and Cryer fits the mold.

"Outside of Curry, the depth at point guard is pretty thin — just Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer. Cryer wouldn’t be thrown into the fire. He’d get the chance to learn from one of the greatest to ever do it while building confidence off the bench. Down the line, he could grow into a big piece of the puzzle."

Curry's four-year, $215 million contract is slated to run through the 2025-26 NBA season. The Warriors superstar also signed an extension for 2026-27.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: