2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[cardvolfan]

Idk why BTO used eFG to compare them.

TS% does a better job of accounting for Nate’s foul drawing ability. and the gap between them closes dramatically there.

Exactly! Good point.

 

[landscapingvol]

You knuckleheads stood your own selves up. Don’t blame Tanner for it.

Correct and our local fake insiders feed them with nonsense that they want to believe lol it never ceases to amaze me

 

[VolOnthePlains]

I'm just curious... but were we building a roster to surround Juke? And if we don't land Juke what will this look like? For instance it just felt past years we got a transfer/portal player OR top recruit that became our central core for our offense. Dalton, Lanier, Nate, etc... SF or SG. They all seem to be our main offense. Who would that be if we don't land Juke. Obviously if we get Juke we all know the offense will kinda run through him.

I think the problem in the past is that we’ve recruited 1 or 2 guys for offense and everyone else for defense and rebounding, this year seems to be the inverse. Spreads the scoring burden out and makes scoring droughts less likely.

 

[cardvolfan]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

I still believe that although money factors in with Estrella, there were other issues at play that were non-monetary. The combination of those factors, not just money, made Estrella bolt, and quite early in the process, to Michigan. My opinion.

 

[brockytop]

I still believe that although money factors in with Estrella, there were other issues at play that were non-monetary. The combination of those factors, not just money, made Estrella bolt, and quite early in the process, to Michigan. My opinion.

What were the other factors? Our coaches inability to teach a player how to hit shots from 2 feet out?

 

[UneducatedGuess]

I'm just curious... but were we building a roster to surround Juke? And if we don't land Juke what will this look like? For instance it just felt past years we got a transfer/portal player OR top recruit that became our central core for our offense. Dalton, Lanier, Nate, etc... SF or SG. They all seem to be our main offense. Who would that be if we don't land Juke. Obviously if we get Juke we all know the offense will kinda run through him.

No.

We have multiple buckets at multiple positions.

This won’t be a stand around and watch one dude run through screens - but if he’s guarded - drive and dish or chuck up a 3 offense

This will be a “everybody can score” offense. Much more fluid than what you’ve seen.

Juke would do well in it

 

[VolOnthePlains]

What were the other factors? Our coaches inability to teach a player how to hit shots from 2 feet out?

Brother, I like JP a lot more than a lot of people on here but if you’re 6’11” and can’t make layups coaching isn’t the issue

 

[cardvolfan]

What were the other factors? Our coaches inability to teach a player how to hit shots from 2 feet out?

I think there was a lot of frustration for Estrella personally with what was a very uneven season, from injury to playing time, from mistakes on the court and how Barnes handled his playing time. I feel he became pretty disenfranchised with the whole picture. I also think his parents became less vocal “All Vol” fans.

 

[Skooter]

Brother, I like JP a lot more than a lot of people on here but if you’re 6’11” and can’t make layups coaching isn’t the issue

If I was 6’11 and got the ball within 3 feet of the bucket my goal would be to break somebody’s wrist on the rim who dared go up with me while violently dunking on them like Darryl Dawkins.
If you can grab the net without jumping, stop being a finesse player. Shoulder bump to make room then go up violently.

 

[cardvolfan]

Brother, I like JP a lot more than a lot of people on here but if you’re 6’11” and can’t make layups coaching isn’t the issue

The “can’t make layups” statement that is seen and repeated several times a day on this board is always interesting. That phrase makes it seem simple to just make your layups. Easy, right? The reality is that layups down low are contested in most cases, and not only contested, but usually tend to come with hard fouls. Sometimes players adjust going up in anticipation of getting fouled, then don’t and they miss because their adjustment caused the miss. It’s complicated.

 

[all_volz]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

If CRB wanted to keep Estrella he would have. Maybe he wanted to see what he could get and Michigan was willing to pay.

 

[Skooter]

I think there was a lot of frustration for Estrella personally with what was a very uneven season, from injury to playing time, from mistakes on the court and how Barnes handled his playing time. I feel he became pretty disenfranchised with the whole picture. I also think his parents became less vocal “All Vol” fans.

Lot of this is true but Barnes doesn’t bench for no reason. Games like Ky for example come down to a couple possessions at the end so if you come in the game and get blown by, then don’t box out and allow an orb and putback and give up 4 pts in 1 minute, may as well start walking and go sit. Aint nobody got time for coming in not ready to play.

 

[brentcontractor]

I think there was a lot of frustration for Estrella personally with what was a very uneven season, from injury to playing time, from mistakes on the court and how Barnes handled his playing time. I feel he became pretty disenfranchised with the whole picture. I also think his parents became less vocal “All Vol” fans.

IMO, Offense is about skill and defense is about effort. Barnes can teach defense. I think Barnes had already seen what Estrella & Cade could do on both offense & defense. I also think Barnes was concerned about spending over a limit on players that were injury prone. He would have loved to have them at a certain value.

 

[brockytop]

Brother, I like JP a lot more than a lot of people on here but if you’re 6’11” and can’t make layups coaching isn’t the issue

Sarcasm, my friend.

What you’re saying is my point.

 

[Just a VolinTears]

The “can’t make layups” statement that is seen and repeated several times a day on this board is always interesting. That phrase makes it seem simple to just make your layups. Easy, right? The reality is that layups down low are contested in most cases, and not only contested, but usually tend to come with hard fouls. Sometimes players adjust going up in anticipation of getting fouled, then don’t and they miss because their adjustment caused the miss. It’s complicated.

In this day in age when players are getting paid, I don't feel bad about criticizing players. We were paying Estrella enough to make bunnies. He didn't. So Barnes let him go. Fine with me

 

[brockytop]

The “can’t make layups” statement that is seen and repeated several times a day on this board is always interesting. That phrase makes it seem simple to just make your layups. Easy, right? The reality is that layups down low are contested in most cases, and not only contested, but usually tend to come with hard fouls. Sometimes players adjust going up in anticipation of getting fouled, then don’t and they miss because their adjustment caused the miss. It’s complicated.

If you didn’t notice Estrella missing more than his fair share of shots two feet in then I can’t help you.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Curious to see which bigs are visiting soon.

Otherwise, just holding breath on Juke and Nate - mostly Juke, I would be shocked if Nate comes back.

 

[Vols410]

1. Estrella is a really good basketball player
2. Given our roster construction, we need a big that is elite defensively and athletic + good at the rim to finish well in PnRs. We simply don't need a post-up oriented player to take up space in the lane, and it's not worth it to us like it might be to other teams with different roster construction.

Players are going to have a price tag, and for many teams (given budget, scheme, and roster) that'll work, and for others it won't. Barnes decided the money was better spent elsewhere. The guy with 3 elite eights in a row gets the benefit of the doubt. It's really not all that complicated.

 

[Godfatha]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

Estrella isn't a difference maker. Sorry. Juke is.

 

[Stoked]

If I was 6’11 and got the ball within 3 feet of the bucket my goal would be to break somebody’s wrist on the rim who dared go up with me while violently dunking on them like Darryl Dawkins.
If you can grab the net without jumping, stop being a finesse player. Shoulder bump to make room then go up violently.

Buddy's shoulder would shatter into a million pieces if he did that. That dude is made of glass.

 

[deatojl]

If I was 6’11 and got the ball within 3 feet of the bucket my goal would be to break somebody’s wrist on the rim who dared go up with me while violently dunking on them like Darryl Dawkins.
If you can grab the net without jumping, stop being a finesse player. Shoulder bump to make room then go up violently.

Well, in his defense, he did try to violently dunk that one time from like 6 feet away from the basket...

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

Juke has until late May to make his decision on NBA draft or another year of college basketball. I believe based on most evaluations, he is going to stay in College.

Nate was invited to the undergraduate advisory committee and pre draft process. Which will mean he is most likely he will do the combine and workouts in Chicago. In late May, He can withdraw after that and stay with TN.

Thats my understanding of these two players and their process ahead.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

JP was ranked 16th in the SEC in 2 point shooting % at 60.4%. Felix at 61.1% was the only Vol with a higher % than this.

Can't hit layups is just BS...harp on something that's true if you wanna bash the guy.

 

[cardvolfan]

If you didn’t notice Estrella missing more than his fair share of shots two feet in then I can’t help you.

I was at every game but one. Saw the last two in Chicago. I saw what happened and my post was not about who made or missed more. It was simply about the narrative of missed layups in general. It’s not as simple as it seems.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

Curious to see which bigs are visiting soon.

Otherwise, just holding breath on Juke and Nate - mostly Juke, I would be shocked if Nate comes back.

I believe (based on the process of which I’m no expert at all) that Juke should have a decision made about college or NBA by this weekend. Although he could wait till late May.

He is good enough that Michigan and Tennessee will hold a spot for him.