The latest NBA mock draft from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor has sparked major debate across college basketball circles, especially involving three names closely tied to Kentucky’s future: Malachi Moreno, Jayden Quaintance, and Milan Momcilovic. The biggest surprise from the projection was Moreno landing ahead of Quaintance in the first round, a scenario very few expected entering the offseason.
According to the mock draft, Moreno was projected to go 24th overall to the New York Knicks, while Quaintance slid all the way down to 29th overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers. While both players remained first-round selections, the gap between them raised eyebrows because Quaintance was once viewed as a potential lottery-level talent before injuries complicated his season.
For Moreno, this projection represents a massive rise in stock over the past several months. The talented big man has steadily gained momentum among NBA scouts because of his size, interior touch, rebounding instincts, and improving offensive skill set. Executives are reportedly intrigued by his long-term upside and believe he may still be scratching the surface of what he can become at the professional level.
Meanwhile, Quaintance’s drop appears heavily connected to concerns surrounding his health. Knee swelling limited him for much of the year and prevented him from fully showcasing the athletic dominance that originally made him one of the most exciting young prospects in basketball. Even though scouts still recognize his elite defensive versatility and physical tools, uncertainty surrounding durability can quickly impact draft positioning.
If this mock draft accurately reflects how NBA front offices currently value the two prospects, it creates a fascinating possibility: Moreno staying in the draft while Quaintance returns to college basketball for another season. Just a few months ago, that scenario would have sounded almost impossible. Now, however, it feels like a legitimate outcome depending on how both players perform during pre-draft evaluations.
The upcoming NBA Draft Combine in Chicago could ultimately decide everything. Moreno has an enormous opportunity to solidify himself as a guaranteed first-round pick if he performs well in workouts, interviews, and scrimmages. Teams will closely monitor how he moves defensively, how comfortable he looks in space, and whether his offensive game continues to expand beyond the paint.
For Quaintance, the combine may be even more important. NBA teams will want reassurance regarding his health and conditioning before investing a first-round selection in him. If he can prove the knee issues are behind him and demonstrate flashes of the explosive athleticism that made him such a highly regarded recruit, his stock could rebound quickly before draft night.
Elsewhere in the mock draft, Iowa State transfer and Kentucky recruiting target Milan Momcilovic appeared at No. 46 overall to the Phoenix Suns. While being selected in the mock draft is certainly encouraging, the placement also creates an interesting dilemma for Momcilovic as he weighs his future between college basketball and the NBA.
Momcilovic is widely respected as one of the best shooters available in the draft process. His ability to stretch the floor and completely change a game with perimeter shooting makes him an intriguing modern NBA prospect. Some scouts believe his offensive upside alone could convince a team to gamble on him earlier than expected, especially in a league that constantly prioritizes spacing and shooting.
However, a projection in the middle of the second round may not be enough to convince him to stay in the draft. Returning to college could allow Momcilovic to significantly improve his stock while also securing a major NIL deal that could reportedly exceed $5 million. In today’s college basketball landscape, elite players no longer feel pressured to rush into the NBA if their draft status remains uncertain.
At the same time, draft projections in May are rarely final. It only takes one franchise to become convinced that a player fits their system perfectly. Momcilovic’s elite shooting ability gives him a real chance to rise quickly with strong workouts. Teams searching for offensive specialists often prioritize floor spacing, and his skill set naturally fits the direction modern basketball continues to evolve toward.
Another factor working in Momcilovic’s favor is the possibility that several players currently projected ahead of him could withdraw from the draft and return to school. Names like Andrej Stojaković, Matt Able, Billy Richmond, Flory Bidunga, Rueben Chinyelu, Tyler Tanner, and potentially Moreno himself could all decide college basketball remains the better short-term option.
Because of that uncertainty, many around the sport now expect this process to extend all the way to the May 27 withdrawal deadline. Moreno, Momcilovic, and Quaintance each face major decisions that could reshape not only their futures, but also the outlook of several college basketball programs preparing for next season.
The mock draft also included positive news for Otega Oweh, who was projected to go 59th overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Oweh has not consistently appeared in many mock drafts throughout the year, so simply seeing his name included is an encouraging development as he attempts to transition to the professional level.
Oweh became one of the most important players of the early Mark Pope era at University of Kentucky. His energy, toughness, and two-way impact quickly made him a fan favorite in Lexington. While his draft position may still fluctuate, many believe his competitiveness and athleticism could eventually help him carve out a role at the next level.
Overall, this latest mock draft highlights just how fluid the current NBA evaluation process remains. Moreno’s rise, Quaintance’s uncertainty, Momcilovic’s difficult decision, and Oweh’s late emergence all show how quickly perceptions can change during pre-draft season.
With the combine approaching and the withdrawal deadline looming, the next few weeks could dramatically reshape the futures of several major college basketball stars.
