Two big decisions loom over Kentucky’s roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 2026 NBA Draft is nearly one month away, and the Kentucky Wildcats are awaiting a couple of big decisions that would complete their roster for the upcoming season.
Jeff Goodman, a basketball analyst at The Field of 68, stirred conversation on Friday after sharing insights from conversations with 10 NBA executives about a group of NBA Draft prospects and whether they should remain in the draft or return to college basketball.
According to Goodman, the executives were asked to evaluate several borderline prospects and give honest feedback based on what they’ve seen during workouts, interviews, and the NBA Draft Combine. The focus wasn’t just on talent, but on readiness—how close each player is to being able to contribute at the NBA level versus how much they could benefit from another year of development in college.
The results, Goodman noted, leaned heavily toward caution for a number of players. In several cases, the executives reportedly felt that returning to school would significantly improve a player’s draft stock, especially for prospects who still need physical development, consistency, or expanded roles against high-level competition.
For fans of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball, the takeaway from the poll is encouraging. The general sentiment among NBA decision-makers suggested that some of the players linked to Kentucky recruiting and draft discussions would be better served by another year in college, where they could refine their games, increase their responsibility on both ends of the floor, and enter the draft in a stronger position next cycle.
The broader message from the NBA executives was not that these players lack potential, but rather that their long-term upside might be maximized with patience. In today’s draft environment—where teams are increasingly focused on immediate readiness—players who are not clearly first-round locks often face a real decision between turning pro early or boosting their value through another collegiate season.
That context is why Goodman’s report generated buzz among Kentucky fans, who see it as a potential boost to future roster possibilities and a sign that staying in school could be the smarter path for several high-upside prospects.
The poll conducted by Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 included both rising big man Malachi Moreno and UK transfer target Milan Momcilovic, and the results strongly leaned in favor of both players returning to college basketball.
According to the responses from 10 NBA executives, Moreno received nine votes recommending that he withdraw from the NBA Draft process and return to school, compared to just one vote suggesting he should keep his name in the draft. That margin signals a clear consensus among decision-makers that the young frontcourt prospect would benefit significantly from additional development at the collegiate level before making the leap to the NBA.
For Kentucky specifically, the feedback is particularly meaningful. Moreno, a Kentucky native, is viewed as a potential centerpiece for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball moving forward. Evaluators see long-term upside in his size, skill set, and interior potential, but believe another season in college would allow him to add strength, refine his offensive consistency, and become a more reliable two-way presence against high-level competition.
If head coach Mark Pope is able to keep Moreno in Lexington, projections suggest the Wildcats could immediately elevate their ceiling for the 2026–27 season. With Moreno anchoring the frontcourt and continuing to develop alongside Kentucky’s existing talent base, analysts believe the roster could form one of the more skilled and balanced lineups in the country.
For Momcilovic, the sentiment from NBA executives aligned with a similar developmental theme. While he remains valued for his shooting ability and offensive versatility, the broader view is that another year in college could help him strengthen his defensive consistency and overall impact, making him a more complete and NBA-ready prospect in the next draft cycle.
Now for 6-foot-8, Wisconsin native, Momcilovic. The NBA executives were unanimous in their decision, giving all 10 votes in the direction that he should head back to college.
If Momcilovic does return to college, the Wildcats will have to pull out the blank check. Isaac Trotter of 247 Sports gave a number projection of what his NIL value would look like. “It’s hard to leave $6 million on the table, and I think he’d get a number in that ballpark,” Trotter said.
If the Wildcats were able to get both of these players for next season they could very well become a true title contender.
