“Running it back one last time,” Braden Smith wrote. One short sentence that inspired a lot of conversation and even more reaction. Purdue fans celebrated. Their rivals took notice. But beneath Smith’s decision to “run it back” again lies a previously unseen calculus. This was about more than loyalty or unfinished business, it was about money. Lots of it. National college basketball reporters now project Smith’s return worth a once-unthinkable NIL payday of $4 million. And somehow, it all traces back to Cooper Flagg.

It’s not news that college athletes can make millions before turning pro. What’s different now is just how much they can rake in from staying where they are. And Smith’s decision to stick around for another year at Purdue is proof of how beneficial that can be. Smith isn’t just throwing his name in the hat for another national title run; he’s leveraging something that requires no throwing whatsoever—his brand, which in today’s NIL-fueled world, is a gold mine.

Jeff Goodman, on the Field of 68: After Dark, addressed the scale and structure of Braden Smith’s NIL earnings as he returns to Purdue. “There’s the money that Braden Smith is going to be able to get kind of through Purdue, right in the community, from other sponsors related to Purdue or national sponsors, you know, like was the case with Cooper Flagg,” Goodman said. “So, I think Braden Smith is going to make upwards of $3 million, $3.5 million, maybe even $4 million overall.”

Goodman’s comparison isn’t accidental. Flagg has become the model NIL citizen. His $4.8 million valuation, top in college basketball, is powered by titanic deals with New Balance, Gatorade and Fanatics. Smith’s $1.9 million marks a steep drop, but his local deals – HEYDUDE Shoes, Boilermaker Alliance, Purdue NIL Store – paint an emerging picture of players who can cash in school loyalty and national appeal into local brands.

Nevertheless, Smith’s story is tied to Flagg’s blueprint. Flagg proved that NIL isn’t just about flashy highlights—it’s about narrative, branding, and timing. His projection as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft fuels the hype, but it’s his college presence that keeps the checks rolling in. So while Smith raised his value by remaining in college instead of joining the draft as a likely late second-rounder, it poses big question – what if Flagg does the same?

How much would Cooper Flagg lose if he stays in college?

Here’s where things get interesting. If Flagg goes No. 1 in the draft, his rookie contract would be worth about $57 million over four years. That’s around $14.25 million a year—way more than what he’s pulling in right now with NIL.

But here’s the real kicker: staying an extra year in college could cost him long-term. Why? Because it pushes back when he can start negotiating for a rookie max extension. Those can be worth huge money—up to $80 million a year. ESPN’s Bobby Marks crunched the numbers and estimated Flagg could lose anywhere from $75 million to $125 million by delaying his NBA clock just one season.

But there’s no denying Flagg’s influence. Players like Braden Smith are walking down a path that Flagg helped pave—one where you don’t have to charge into the league to make a buck. With the right support, right school, and the right game, college hoops can prove just as lucrative.

At the end of the day, Cooper Flagg might be setting the bar with his $4.8 million valuation, but it’s clear others—like Smith—are catching on fast. So, while Purdue chases a national title, Smith will be cashing in, proving that in today’s game, staying loyal can come with a serious paycheck.