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For second-round NBA draft picks, guarantees are no guarantee. But Maryland’s Diamond Stone, the 40th overall pick in last month’s draft, now has them.
Stone signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, the team announced Thursday. His first-year salary will be $543,000, and he’ll make that money no matter how well he plays. It’s got to be an enormous relief for Stone, whose NBA decision seemed prescient when he made it but seemed a lot less so when he fell out of the first round. Good for him to have some stability going forward.
It won’t be easy for Stone to break into the league, or to find playing time in the Clippers’ rotation. They’ve got DeAndre Jordan, one of the NBA’s best centers, and it’s not like Stone’s going to play much power forward. (Even if he did, the Clippers have Blake Griffin there.) But he could contribute as a role player, and that’d be a big deal.
In other news
Former Maryland pitcher Mike Shawaryn got his deal, too.
5th-rder Mike Shawaryn, @RedSox agree on $637,500 (pick 148 = $375,500). Maryland RHP, up to 94 from low slot, good SL too. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 14, 2016
Dinner!
Steak night in #Bethesda with our Tight Ends and Specialists. A great group of guys that are proud to be #Terps! pic.twitter.com/74lbMyOLn6
— Pete Lembo (@Pete_Lembo) July 14, 2016
A college basketball recruiting note:
Tony Bennett, Tim Miles, Bryce Drew, Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, ND here for Pocket City (Jack Nunge) vs. Philly Pride (David Beatty).
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) July 14, 2016
Maryland is a finalist for Beatty, for the moment.
This continues to be a relatively slow time of year for Maryland athletic news. But if you see something noteworthy I’ve missed, definitely drop a line in the comments.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone.