Jared Bayless is a young player who I really think could have benefited from the tutelage of Arizona coach Lute Olson. Despite former interim coach Kevin O'Neill NBA experience and commitment to defense I don't think the O'Neill experience was a positive one for any of the Arizona Wildcats. Jared Bayless could have gained some more big game experience in my view if the Wildcats had attempted to develop their bench a little more during the season, thus giving the starters more rest.
Word on the street is that Jared Bayless could very well end up with the Clippers. This could be viewed as a sign that the Clippers have finally given up on often injured young guard Shaun Livingston. Livingston of course is taller, but Jared Bayless could definitely play the point and Livingston could play the two guard. One thing that would make me question as to whether joining the Clippers is the uncertainty of the head coaching situation. Owner Donald Sterling and head coach Mike Dunleavy clearly don't see eye to eye on many matters as noted by the LA Times. Dunleavy's days could be numbered in Los Angeles and other then the lack of a paycheck it might be a relief to Mike to avoid the headaches. The issue with Dunleavy potentially leaving town is the fact that a point guard needs stability in not so much a system because basketball isn't as complex as say the NFL and their playbooks, but a point guard should like familiarity with coaching personalities.
The best circumstance for Bayless would be with the Charlotte Bobcats in my estimation. Even though the franchise is four years old this may be the first time in their existence when teams actually take notice of the Bobcats other then chalking that one up as a potential W right off the bat. Learning under new head coach Larry Brown could be a real plus for the young Bayless, who is a dynamite scorer and player, but has a tendency to be lost in the shuffle and not always be the one running the show on the floor. The importance of a solid head coach with tenure can not be understated once again. The reason why Deron Williams has been so successful early in his career could definitely be attributed partially to the guidance of coach Jerry Sloan. Of course this move may be unlikely due to the fact that a local favorite in Raymond Felton is still coming along. Overall though, I think it was a solid decision for Bayless to enter the NBA Draft even with the fact that he missed some games while in Tucson due to a shoulder injury, he probably did not want to risk further injury and came to realize that the NBA Draft seems to be based just as much on potential as anything else.
The Oklahoma City Supersonics have seen the erratic play of Luke Ridnhour and others for quite a while now so this former Oregon Duck may have quacked for the last time in a Sonics uniform. Bayless may be the one to take advantage of this at the point and move right into a starting role. The problem is that they need the big name in order to sell tickets and people in Oklahoma City probably haven't heard too much about a kid from Phoenix as noted by Draft Express. So ultimately I think Jared Bayless will end up with the Clippers.
