They can return to college because they don’t have an agent yet. And according to one NBA front office executive that would be a wise decision. That is, if they had hoped to be lottery picks.

As long as a college player does not sign with an agent, they can return to college before the June 16 deadline. So far, Syracuse freshman Donte Greene (Towson Catholic), West Virginia junior Joe Alexander (Mt. Airy) and North Carolina sophomore Ty Lawson (Clinton, Md./Oak Hill Academy) have not signed with an agent.

All three had standout seasons, but the front office executive said it would have been wise for them to have another one before putting their names in the NBA Draft.

This past Sunday was the deadline to declare. Each of these players can improve their standing at the NBA Draft Camp in Orlando later this month. Sounds like they’ll need a good showing.

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Here’s the executive’s take on the three players:

On Greene » “He has the talent to be a lottery pick, but I don’t see it for us. You look at him and there’s so much size and potential, but he’s not someone you want to go to war with and that’s what you look at.”

On Alexander » “I don’t have enough to go on for him to put him in the top 20. He’s certainly not in the lottery, but if he shows well [in Orlando] he’ll probably go higher.”

On Lawson » “He’s making the biggest mistake. I go back to this: School is not for everybody. He’s not a big school guy; that’s his rationale, but I know he’s not a lottery pick or even the fifth or sixth point guard on the board.”

Meanwhile, Villanova sophomore Scottie Reynolds (Herndon) made the right choice in returning to school.

“He’s the kind you would pick in the 50s,” the executive said. “He’s not an NBA guy right now.”

Macklin will seek the heat

Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin needs to find a home on a team that plays up-tempo. Which is why most of the ACC, and SEC power Florida, have targeted him for a scholarship, according to two coaches.

One ACC assistant said he heard Florida and Clemson most often in connection to Macklin. The coach said he does not think Macklin has yet visited either school.

“[Florida is] always in the mix,” said the coach, at a school that would like Macklin but isn’t high on his list right now.

Both Clemson and Florida like to run and that’s what this coach said Macklin must do to be successful.

“Georgetown wasn’t the right system for him,” the coach said. “He needs to run up and down; everyone he’s talking to is like that. The ACC plays fast; any one would love to have him. He’s tall and athletic and can get better, especially with a year of sitting out.”

Some Colonial Athletic Association schools would love to have him, but one coach told The Examiner’s Craig Stouffer that Macklin, from the Hampton Roads area, has his sights set higher.

The 6-foot-9, 227-pound Macklin, a forward, averaged 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds a game last season. He announced his decision to transfer last week.

Good idea/bad idea

Good idea » Playing football in Toronto. The Buffalo Bills will receive $78 million for playing eight games there the next five seasons.

Bad idea » Radio host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo suggesting the Penguins might be intimidated playing in front of New York Rangers fans. Pens scored in the first minute and won.

Good idea » Keeping an eye on Arizona rookie pitcher Max Scherzer. In four Triple-A starts, he had a 1.17 ERA and 38 strikeouts.

Bad idea » Buying Mike’s Hard Lemonade for your son, thinking it’s regular lemonade. One Tigers fan did — and his son was placed in foster care for two days.

Good idea » Paying closer attention to the Angels, who are 17-11 despite two combined wins from their top three pitchers, two of whom are sidelined.

Bad Idea » Betting against Georgia’s football team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno are projected as top-10 picks in 2009.

Good idea » Changing coaches after a second-straight first-round exit by Dallas. Avery Johnson’s Mavs had lost 12 of their last 15 playoff games.

Bad idea » Taunting the Pistons. Sixers coach Mo Cheeks told the media ‘see you back here’ after a 98-81 Game 5 loss to Detroit, alluding to a win in Game 6. Good luck coach.

Knucklehead of the week

Roger Clemens

Man, this one is too easy. For the third straight day on this page, we give you … Roger Clemens. Each day he, or his past, give us something more that sullies his reputation. Two days ago it was the rumored affair with Mindy McCready; a day later she confirmed it. Now comes word of more sordid affairs, tales of large monetary gifts and jewelry, and flights on his private jet. This certainly can’t help Clemens in his defamation suit against his former trainer Brian McNamee. Lawyers for McNamee have said these affairs show that McNamee did not damage Clemens’ reputation. Clemens, accused by McNamee of taking performance-enhancing drugs, has tried to pass himself off as a family man. Of course, maybe Clemens phoned his wife to ask for permission and he couldn’t hear her response. Bad connection, you know.

On the record

“We don’t admit thugs anymore.”

— University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala on the changing culture of the university which is known for its brazen football team.

“How are you going to say no to Michael?”

— Bobcats coach Larry Brown on being offered his position by managing partner and future Hall-of-Famer Michael Jordan.

Run for the roses

Derby Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia’s All-Time Kentucky Derby upsets

1 Dark Star, 1953 » 25-1 long shot beat Native Dancer, his only loss.

2 Canonero, 1971 » Unknown horse, jockey and trainer from Venezuela placed second.

3 Proud Clarion, 1967 » 30-1 long shot beat favorite and horse-of-the-year, Damascus.

4 Ferdinand, 1986 » 17-1 long shot was legend Bill Shoemaker’s last Derby win.

5 Sunday Silence, 1989 » Went off at 3-1 but beat odds on favorite Easy Goer.