PJ Haggerty entered the transfer portal later than most players, but he immediately became one of the best players in it. However, his entrance into the portal came with a unique set of demands. Reports came out that PJ Haggerty’s transfer demands at least four million dollars to play primary point guard. With unofficial reports of other point guards making around three million dollars, some say the asking price isn’t bad. However, with a score-first guard, there haven’t been many rumors that he will get four million. The proof lies in what’s happened in the transfer portal today. Three point guards entered the transfer portal on Monday afternoon. In a class with few point guards remaining, it is clear that bigger schools are offering more money to come there, balking at the idea of paying four million dollars to Haggerty.
REPORT: Memphis star transfer PJ Haggerty is asking for $4M+ and to primarily play point guard, per @GoodmanHoops
The AAC POY averaged 21.7 points and 3.7 assists per game this season. https://t.co/4GYdAwX1nx pic.twitter.com/4pdtBtciZy
— On3 (@On3sports) April 18, 2025
Point Guards Entering Portal Put Haggerty’s Desirability in Doubt
What Point Guards Have Entered the Portal?
Several guards undermine Haggerty’s transfer demands. The flurry of point guards entering the portal started with Jordan Ross from Saint Mary’s. Ross averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season. He is desirable because of his decision-making, averaging only 0.8 turnovers per game in 26.7 minutes. Every top team wants a guard who takes care of the ball. Jaeden Zackery from Clemson entered the portal next. He may not have an extra year of eligibility, but he averaged 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His experience brought Clemson elite point guard play, helping lead them to the NCAA Tournament with immense potential before an upset in the first round.
The final point guard to enter the transfer portal may be the most obvious case of smiting PJ Haggerty’s transfer demands. Pacific guard Lamar Washington entered the portal shortly after Zackery. Washington was elite in several facets of the game. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. His elite playmaking abilities would immediately help a lot of top programs for a price much lower than Haggerty’s transfer demands. Washington will make all the plays necessary to have a successful run on a contending squad, but he doesn’t require the same price tag.
PJ Haggerty’s Transfer Demands Have Repulsed Big Programs
Schools like North Carolina, Kansas, and more could still add a top point guard to run their offense after Florida grabbed the top remaining choice. Under the current set of rules, they can reach out to any player at any time. The transfer portal opened weeks ago. If they truly felt they were unhappy at their current school, they would have entered sooner. Entering only days after Haggerty announced his transfer demands shows that schools didn’t want to pay him that money.
Haggerty isn’t a top point guard in the country. While he is one of the best players, he averaged 21.7 points with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.12. That number doesn’t attract a top program. He led the American Conference in turnovers. Why would a program competing for a national championship want a player like that to run the point?
Now, if he was just asking for four million dollars, would that change anything? I’d argue it wouldn’t because of the money already spent. Money flies early in the portal, sometimes to players who don’t deserve the money they get. However, programs want to secure a position or specific player and will overpay to have that security. Haggerty is late to the party, and his transfer demands would be high even if he entered at the very beginning. Most schools that can afford four million dollars have already spent that money. Haggerty will be lucky to get the four million. However, the flurry of point guards entering the portal proves that big programs don’t want him playing point for that price tag.
Photo credit: © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
