Mid-first round or Vols for Tyler Smith : govolsxtra.com

Will he stay or will he go?

That's the question Tennessee basketball fans have been asking since sophomore Tyler Smith announced last week he's considering entering the NBA draft in June.

"If Tyler is projected as a top-15 or top-16 pick, I won't let him come back,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "Because if that's the case, he absolutely has to do what's best for his family. The money in the top half of the first round is substantially better than late in the first round.''

Salaries for NBA draft picks are pre-determined through the first four years. The difference in guaranteed money between the 15th pick in the first round and the 30th and final pick of the first round is $2 million ($6.1 million to $4.1 million).

That difference can grow to $3.3 million through four years - assuming a team exercises its two-year option on the player.

Smith said his family's finances are a consideration in his decision, as he has his 19-month-old son, Amare, to support in Pulaski.

Smith will go through the NBA draft evaluation process and learn where he's expected to be picked and what aspects of his game he needs to improve on.

"If I'm not projected mid-first round, I want to come back,'' Smith said. "I love the fan support that we get here, and really, I can't ask for any more than what the fans and coaches at Tennessee have done for me.''

Should Smith choose to return to UT, the school is allowed to purchase a $1 million insurance policy on his behalf.

Having Smith back on the team would likely ensure the Vols another run at the SEC title and the NCAA championship.

The 6-foot-7 Smith was pivotal to UT's school-record 31-5 season, and he would immediately assume more of a leadership role should he remain in Knoxville for another season.

Smith's inspired play quickly won over teammates and fans last season, and he was named first-team All-SEC and honorable mention All-American in his first season with the Vols after transferring from Iowa.

Smith averaged 13.6 points per game and led UT in assists and rebounds while playing power forward.

One NBA scout, who spoke to the News Sentinel on a condition of anonymity, said Smith showed the athleticism necessary to play in the league, but there are questions about his jump shot.

Smith connected on 14 of 36 (.389) 3-point attempts, but the scout pointed out that was behind the college - not the NBA - 3-point line. Smith scored most of his points on dunks, put-backs and turnaround jumpers in the lane.

The NBA scout said he projects Smith as a late-first to early second-round pick.

The NBA does not have slotted guaranteed salaries to second-round picks.