2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[bleedingTNorange]

Sounds like we could see 3-4 more additions before Summer semester starts.

Abram, Massamba, Felix's brother

4th option is Passmore but sounds a lot like ball is in his court. Would like to see all 14 filled...leave Felix's brother as PWO until the 15 limit goes through, then still have 1 spot free if 5th year passes in time for Gainey.

Grant Hurst will be getting a spot, but that’ll come with the 15, however he’s “granfathered” in so won’t count against the 15 limit if I understand it correctly. So theoretically, if you add Abram & Massamba, along with Okpara that puts you at 13 right now. Numbers can be finessed to potentially add one more by my math, and still have a potential spot for a Gainey return.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Also, why do people think Abram will start over Massamba? I know the vet v. freshman, but I don't know testing G-League with eye toward NBA does sound pretty indicative of an expected role. I like both, and one will be 6th man, but just saying that IF Abram starts that probably means he's a very good player for the level because otherwise you'd think it would be Massamba.

Gonna depend on what the guys do in preseason practice though. I think the only guarantees right now are Gillespie, Ament & Felix starting.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Also, why do people think Abram will start over Massamba? I know the vet v. freshman, but I don't know testing G-League with eye toward NBA does sound pretty indicative of an expected role. I like both, and one will be 6th man, but just saying that IF Abram starts that probably means he's a very good player for the level because otherwise you'd think it would be Massamba.

Think of how many seniors are more productive than incoming freshman, doesn’t necessarily mean the freshman doesn’t have a pro future, but we see it all the time. It’s hard to beat out 4 years of experience and also experience already in this conference, if Massamba beats him out for a starting spot then yes, I think he’s VERY good.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Grant Hurst will be getting a spot, but that’ll come with the 15, however he’s “granfathered” in so won’t count against the 15 limit if I understand it correctly. So theoretically, if you add Abram & Massamba, along with Okpara that puts you at 13 right now. Numbers can be finessed to potentially add one more by my math, and still have a potential spot for a Gainey return.

Long way to say "yeah I agree" wasn't that? lol

Main thing is I think they'll still take 14 if it's Passmore now...but like you said you can finesse numbers. Maybe Okpara camps all summer so he doesn't arrive and count until Fall when 15 limit is already in effect. Lots of ways to stash a player without them being on scholarship until Fall semester.

But I also think if we see us take 14 now it'll be because there is some certainty 15 limit is going in.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Think of how many seniors are more productive than incoming freshman, doesn’t necessarily mean the freshman doesn’t have a pro future, but we see it all the time. It’s hard to beat out 4 years of experience and also experience already in this conference, if Massamba beats him out for a starting spot then yes, I think he’s VERY good.

Very fair

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Without any more additions, and obviously it's too easy of a comparison to make, but I see parallels between us and FL last year:

1-3 spot: Gillespie Abram Ament Massamba Boswell/Evans
4/5 are bucket getters just like Clayton / Richard / Martin / Aberdeen, with Boswell/Evans and Klavzar kind of a wash. Moreover, you have two actually elite players in Gillespie and Ament who can take over games.

4-5 spot: Carey Phillips Estrella Okpara
All forces with enough of a game / enough expected development to get post buckets and stretch the floor a bit (outside of Okpara I suppose). Just like Condon / Haugh / Handlogten / Chinyelu.

Team is deep, honestly I wouldn't even want to add another body just to upset the dynamic unless it was a project. Really high on Vols next year!

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Without any more additions, and obviously it's too easy of a comparison to make, but I see parallels between us and FL last year:

1-3 spot: Gillespie Abram Ament Massamba Boswell/Evans
4/5 are bucket getters just like Clayton / Richard / Martin / Aberdeen, with Boswell/Evans and Klavzar kind of a wash. Moreover, you have two actually elite players in Gillespie and Ament who can take over games.

4-5 spot: Carey Phillips Estrella Okpara
All forces with enough of a game / enough expected development to get post buckets and stretch the floor a bit (outside of Okpara I suppose). Just like Condon / Haugh / Handlogten / Chinyelu.

Team is deep, honestly I wouldn't even want to add another body just to upset the dynamic unless it was a project. Really high on Vols next year!

You also left off 2 of the other bodies we're adding via HS talent. Brown (C) and Henderson (PG).... both will see minutes, doubt Barnes tries to RS anyone unless medical.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

You also left off 2 of the other bodies we're adding via HS talent. Brown (C) and Henderson (PG).... both will see minutes, doubt Barnes tries to RS anyone unless medical.

Yeah, just figured that barring a surprise they wouldn't be meaningful impact. I like both!

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

No ZZ or Gainey, obviously doesn't mean they won't.

 

[Volprofch05]

No ZZ or Gainey, obviously doesn't mean they won't.

This is only early entry though, I think?

 

[cncchris33]

No ZZ or Gainey, obviously doesn't mean they won't.

ZZ and Gainey wouldn't be early entries though, would they? They don't have any collegiate eligibility left, so I wouldn't imagine they'd be on that list.

 

[Billy Antrim]

That ship has sailed. It’s a mess on that end that we don’t want to touch. Not going to air out details…but it’s best we stay away from the drama.

Who is DA? Sorry, coming in late.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

ZZ and Gainey wouldn't be early entries though, would they? They don't have any collegiate eligibility left, so I wouldn't imagine they'd be on that list.

Correct, same reason why Lanier, Milicic or Dubar aren’t on that list.

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

Correct, same reason why Lanier, Milicic or Dubar aren’t on that list.

Yeah, my mistake. Misinterpreted it. Carry on.

 

[Volprofch05]

Who is DA? Sorry, coming in late.

We're getting Danny Ainge, he's still got a bit left in the tank

 

[cncchris33]

Without any more additions, and obviously it's too easy of a comparison to make, but I see parallels between us and FL last year:

1-3 spot: Gillespie Abram Ament Massamba Boswell/Evans
4/5 are bucket getters just like Clayton / Richard / Martin / Aberdeen, with Boswell/Evans and Klavzar kind of a wash. Moreover, you have two actually elite players in Gillespie and Ament who can take over games.

4-5 spot: Carey Phillips Estrella Okpara
All forces with enough of a game / enough expected development to get post buckets and stretch the floor a bit (outside of Okpara I suppose). Just like Condon / Haugh / Handlogten / Chinyelu.

Team is deep, honestly I wouldn't even want to add another body just to upset the dynamic unless it was a project. Really high on Vols next year!

Tennessee won't have anywhere near the combination of guard depth/experience/talent that Florida had, though.

Clayton, Richards, and Martin were Florida's 3 leading scorers and combined for 46 ppg. Add Denzel Aberdeen to that mix, too. Any of those guys would likely start over anyone Tennessee manages to add at SG barring the unforeseen.

Based on what we know right now, I'd trade Gillespie, Abram, Ament, and Mossamba for those 4 Florida guards any day of the week.

The frontcourt comparison is more similar. Florida had more size with 3 guys 6'-11+, but the depth is pretty similar with Okpara, Estrella, Carey, Phillips.

 

[cncchris33]

Who is DA? Sorry, coming in late.

Darius Adams

 

[MoCo_Vol]

So can we call Clarence the French Mamba?

 

[nateernst]

Any momentum on Chaikin as the 3rd add? He's young and could pull a team out of a shooting slump, could play 2-3 as well. It would be an incredible 3rd piece.

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Tennessee won't have anywhere near the combination of guard depth/experience/talent that Florida had, though.

Clayton, Richards, and Martin were Florida's 3 leading scorers and combined for 46 ppg. Add Denzel Aberdeen to that mix, too. Any of those guys would likely start over anyone Tennessee manages to add at SG barring the unforeseen.

Based on what we know right now, I'd trade Gillespie, Abram, Ament, and Mossamba for those 4 Florida guards any day of the week.

The frontcourt comparison is more similar. Florida had more size with 3 guys 6'-11+, but the depth is pretty similar with Okpara, Estrella, Carey, Phillips.

It's true that there is a lot less proven on our end - will be interesting to see how that holds up through season! I am optimistic.

 

[The Vin Man]

Tennessee won't have anywhere near the combination of guard depth/experience/talent that Florida had, though.

Clayton, Richards, and Martin were Florida's 3 leading scorers and combined for 46 ppg. Add Denzel Aberdeen to that mix, too. Any of those guys would likely start over anyone Tennessee manages to add at SG barring the unforeseen.

Based on what we know right now, I'd trade Gillespie, Abram, Ament, and Mossamba for those 4 Florida guards any day of the week.

The frontcourt comparison is more similar. Florida had more size with 3 guys 6'-11+, but the depth is pretty similar with Okpara, Estrella, Carey, Phillips.

Thank goodness the 4 Florida guards are no longer there.

 

[Brawlvol]

I know this has probably been asked before, but why do we give scholarships out to a player like Ament as an example instead of holding a scholarship for another player. Ament would get the nil money, but wouldn't be listed on scholarship.

Edited

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I know this has probably been asked before, but why do we give scholarships out to a player like Avant as an example instead of holding a scholarship for another player. Avant would get the nil money, but wouldn't be listed on scholarship.

Who’s Avant?

 

[Volprofch05]

Tennessee won't have anywhere near the combination of guard depth/experience/talent that Florida had, though.

Clayton, Richards, and Martin were Florida's 3 leading scorers and combined for 46 ppg. Add Denzel Aberdeen to that mix, too. Any of those guys would likely start over anyone Tennessee manages to add at SG barring the unforeseen.

Based on what we know right now, I'd trade Gillespie, Abram, Ament, and Mossamba for those 4 Florida guards any day of the week.

The frontcourt comparison is more similar. Florida had more size with 3 guys 6'-11+, but the depth is pretty similar with Okpara, Estrella, Carey, Phillips.

So, you would trade our roster for the team that just won the national title (in the last unique year with 5+ year covid era players). Really going out on a limb there!

 

[Volprofch05]

So can we call Clarence the French Mamba?

Probably wait until he scores a few points first, but works for me