At this point in the news, people have been acting as if Chad Baker-Mazara's sudden announcement of entering the transfer portal is so team-breaking that people don't know what to think, particularly with the team's differences this year.
As fans, we already knew Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, and others were already leaving. Still, players like Tahaad Pettiford and CBM shouldn't have been as shocking as seemingly every news network is letting on. CBM was a distraction in the locker room. His tenure has been an overall headache for both sides, and to be completely honest, it would be better for both sides to wash their hands of each other and move on.
Look at the versatile players Auburn has already brought in: star forward KeShawn Murphy from Mississippi State, Keyshawn Hall from UCF, and don't sleep on Kevin Overton from Texas Tech.
This is where CBM leaving becomes a good thing. The money being spent on him can be spent on bringing in a proven leader at the point guard position that Auburn hasn't attacked yet during this transfer portal time.
Bringing in players like Murphy, who already had a major leadership role, really shows the team's commitment to not being a stable full of mavericks next season. Combine that with the recent commitment Kevin Overton from Texas Tech ability to seemingly score from anywhere and the recent commitment of Elyjah Freeman this team is getting scarier by the day.
Currently, the team is forming a very lengthy team that can fill multiple positions at any given time. The rotation should look like:
PG Pettiford/Magwood, SG Overton/Bashir/Walker, SF Keyshawn Hall, PF Keshawn Murphy/Sebastian William-Adams, C Emeka Opurum
Pettiford did declare for the NBA Draft, but I don't believe he will get the money he wants and probably won't be drafted. Now, if Tahaad does get a good draftable grade and doesn't return to Auburn, there is a person who has entered the transfer portal who would be an excellent fit.
Haggerty is a gritty and tough guard out of Memphis looking to write his storybook ending with an NCAA Tournament win. Averaging 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game for the Tigers this year, Haggerty would be a dangerous addition to an already action-packed team looking to move the needle to an automatic championship contender.
This almost seems too perfect for Auburn with Haggerty entering the transfer portal not long after Baker-Mazara did. You replace a non-team-friendly player for a team-friendly leader with the ability to make plays instead of being played.
If Haggerty joined Auburn, the team would look like this.
PG: Haggerty/Magwood, SG: Overton/Bashir, SF: Keyshawn Hall/Walker, PF: KeShawn Murphy/Sebastian Williams-Adam, C: Emeka Opurum
That would be the best starting rotation in the nation and even rival Purdue. This is what i expect Auburn to do following the CBM transfer announcement.
This would make the most sense to create a championship-level team that can get over the Final Four hump.