Livers, Wagner yet to make draft decisions as Michigan tries to navigate new reality

Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner might not be considering their futures just yet under normal circumstances. But with the NCAA Tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the question in front of them is whether to return for another year of college.

Neither has made a decision yet, Michigan coach Juwan Howard said on a conference call Thursday, though both are exploring the possibility.

“Isaiah is evaluating his future,” Howard said. “He’s having time to sit down with his parents as well as evaluating the opportunity to hire an agent to see what the best decision moving forward for next year, either exploring the NBA level or playing for the University of Michigan. But I trust that Isaiah will find me as well as his parents to help him evaluate what is the best decision for his future.”

Livers is seen as the more likely of the two to test NBA waters. As a junior, he’s more developed than Wagner and has less to gain in coming back for another year. Still, after a year in which he was limited by injury, Livers could benefit from returning for his senior season. He would be the centerpiece of a Michigan team that will bring in a highly-touted recruiting class.