Damn, that sucks for Butler. I was really hoping he'd stay and win a title with them eventually. This is huge news. Boston has handled this transition phase well, though it'll likely be a few years at least until they're competitive again, how will he handle that? How long of a leash will he be given.

This is a HUGE blow to Butler. I had them ranked 6th in the Big East this year. Without Stevens, I'm going down to 8th.

Just crushing news for the school and a disappointment for the league. Stevens gave us a good, successful, popular, young coach.

If he come to the first press conference with his hair slicked back talking about how KG isn't walking through that door, that might be the greatest troll of all time.

Wow. Nice pay day but something tells me he would be better off staying in college.

I think so as well, but he's been to the title game twice, Butler is a hard place to win it all. I think he'll be fine, if this doesn't work, he can go back to college. He might not get this kind of opportunity again. He's not just going to the NBA, he's going to one of the biggest markets and the most historical franchise.

If he come to the first press conference with his hair slicked back talking about how KG isn't walking through that door, that might be the greatest troll of all time.

Only a matter of time until that joke was coming.

Now I know why he turned down Maryland!

I think so as well, but he's been to the title game twice, Butler is a hard place to win it all. I think he'll be fine, if this doesn't work, he can go back to college. He might not get this kind of opportunity again. He's not just going to the NBA, he's going to one of the biggest markets and the most historical franchise.

Right. Worst case, he gets a big payday and can go back to college with his reputation there intact.

Right. Worst case, he gets a big payday and can go back to college with his reputation there intact.

You can even subtract going back to college, he's probably way set for life (I haven't seen the contract). At Butler, they maxed out with him. He was ~10% of their budget.

Good point guys. I would've done the same thing in his position.

Yeah absolutely, one thing to turn down Sacramento or UCLA even, Celtics are a different animal. It's the top of his field.

So much for him being a replacement for K.

So much for him being a replacement for K.

K has how many years left? I could see a Saban-like return. I don't think it's so far-fetched for him to be at Duke in 3-5 years.

K has how many years left? I could see a Saban-like return. I don't think it's so far-fetched for him to be at Duke in 3-5 years.

This was exactly my thought...except for Roy, not for K.

This was exactly my thought...except for Roy, not for K.

So you're thinking Stevens would go to UNC? That's not exactly completely far-fetched either but I expect Roy to still be there for a while.

So where does Butler go from here? And more importantly, can they remain relevant? I'm sure it had to be on their mind that they probably wouldn't keep Stevens forever, but it has to be a gut-punch to have to replace him right before they join the Big East.