[Cactus Jack]

Personally Reed grows older and finds that money isn’t the main thing to happiness.  Of course, at this age it’s appealing and a must.  In time, personally he regrets not playing for BBN because it was the greatest time in his life.  Owes me and you nothing, moral of the story, money doesn’t buy you happiness!  In the long run he will see that and look back with regret!  Go make it while you can, but there is more too life.  It’s only a worthless piece of paper at the end of the day vs a lifetime of self fulfillment!  He may be contempt with that and good with his decision but more than likely the odds are against him. Reed isn’t going to be a good NBA player and will be in a corner one day with his emotions of greed vs the game he loves to his soul.  All I’m saying.

If he isn't going to be a good NBA player, which is your own admission, then he's crazy not to go now if his dream is to play in the NBA.

Or he just goes after his sophomore, junior, or even senior year and make NIL money……………………………..

You are conflating money and playing in the NBA.

Playing in the NBA means that you were one of the top 500-600 players in the world at a given time and can say you played at the highest level. It's the pinnacle of achievement.

There are probably plenty of players who'd take less or even pay to be able to say they played in the NBA.

Teams invest more in lottery picks and give them more chances. If Sheppard's dream is to play in the NBA, then now's the time, hands down.