Not only did Tahaad Pettiford spurn the 2025 NBA draft and return to Bruce Pearl's Auburn Tigers basketball program, but he did so with several franchises having guaranteed picking him at the end of June.
"Sources tell me Pettiford had draft guarantees, but per a source inside Pettiford's camp, 'we weren't taking any chances,'" On3's Justin Hokanson wrote.
Pettiford came back after Pearl publically proclaimed he'd have a prominent role during the 2025-26 season.
“If he does come back, he's going to have to play an expanded role, which I know is something that is exciting to him and probably exciting to our fan base, too, because we'll get to see more of him. He'll be a starter. There will be more on him," Pearl said last week at a charity golf tournament, per Rivals.
Pearl also essentially laid out Pettiford's draft plan: get a guarantee in the late first round or return to Auburn for a second year.
“He's still in the same position he's been in the whole time. And that is if he can get in the first round, he's gonna go. And if he can get in the first round, he should go,” said Pearl. “If he doesn't feel and his folks don't feel like he is gonna be in there in the 20s somewhere, then he'll come back."
It was a professional business relationship that gets to continue between Pearl and Pettiford. Understanding and trust defined their process, and now the pair will be back on the floor together.
It makes more dollars and sense for Pettiford to be back. That's why he is.
On the day Filip Jovic committed to the Tigers, Pettiford brought it home with a return that instantly makes AU the team to beat in the SEC.