The NBA Draft Combine got underway this week in Chicago, with dozens of prospects set to undergo measurements and tests, perform drills, scrimmage, and talk to teams and the press ahead of next month's NBA Draft. 

As has been the case in years past, the top prospects, however, will not be out on the court. Lonzo Ball is skipping the event entirely, and Markelle Fultz is reportedly not participating in any on-court activities. 

It's a wise decision from the top prospects, as there's really no upside to their attending. Players like Fultz and Ball are going to be top-three picks; there's nowhere for them to go but down on these teams' draft boards.

Kevin Durant, who attended the event ahead of the 2007 NBA Draft, agrees, giving an emphatic interview to ESPN on the event in which he strongly suggests that top prospects skip out. The All-Star forward didn't mince words, saying "Stay your ass home, work out and get better on your own time."

Durant, who infamously failed to bench 185 pounds during the event, expounded, saying:

"I remember it like it was yesterday," Durant said, as he readjusted his body to get comfortable in his seat. "All the strength coaches were laughing at me and s---. They were giggling with each other that I couldn't lift 185 pounds and I was like, 'All right, keep laughing. Keep laughing.' It was a funny thing because I was the only one that couldn't lift it and I was struggling to lift it. I was embarrassed at that point, but I'm like, 'Give me a basketball, please. Give me a ball.' "

"I knew nobody in that draft could guard me one-on-one," he said with the utmost confidence. "I knew that for sure. I knew that. And I knew that you don't need to [bench-press] to lift a basketball up. And I knew that this wasn't football where that stuff matters. I knew as a basketball player, I had a lot of skill, more skill than anybody in the draft. And I knew that if I worked as hard as hard as I could, then that s--- wouldn't matter at the end of the day. It still doesn't matter. I was ranked the last person in camp, drills-wise. I was the worst player, and the first player didn't get drafted. That tells you a lot about the significance of that s---."

While Durant's draft slot wasn't really affected, he learned first hand that nothing positive can come out of the experience for the top guys. Best case, you dominate, and simply prove you're the best. Worst case, you get injured, play poorly, or, in Durant's case, test on the lower end. 

If I were in one of these top prospect's shoes, I'd definitely listen to KD on this one.