Can UK Put 5 More First Rounders In The Draft?

by Greg Alan Edwards on Oct 31, 2011 4:35 PM EDT

Well, Cal said it might never be done again unless UK did it, so was that a premontition about this year's class?

We know that there is a better than even chance that Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones are gone after the season. My money says they are both Top 10 Draft picks. So what about the rest of the Cats?

Here is my list and my odds:

Anthony Davis: My money says Davis is a Top 5 pick, and could play into the #1. He Goes.

Odds: 1-3

Terrence Jones: We have not had a power forward like Jones in a while, the scouts are going to eat him up with a spoon. He's Gone.

Odds: 1-3

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: I like him more and more every time I see him. He has a great pro-style body and has the shot to go with it. I think there is a decent chance he may pull the trigger.

Odds: 7-5

Darius Miller/Eloy Vargas: Yes, both Seniors are going, but will they be first rounders? These two present a puzzle because they are both enigmas. Vargas has not yet done what most thought he could, but he continues to improve. Could he be another Josh Harrellson? I just don't see him getting the chance with Davis in the paint, but anything is possible. I put Miller here because he is a simple choice in the same boat as Vargas. If Miller becomes a legit outside threat every time down the court, he could be a late first rounder. He has proven he can play inside, he starts nailing the three every time he gets an open look, and the scouts will be impressed/ Impressed enough to pick him in the first round? Maybe.

Odds: 3-1

Kyle Wiltjer: He was expected not to see a ton of playing time this year, mostly because Davis and Jones, Vargas and Gilchrist would create a logjam. He's too good to sit. He may be too good not to start him, or at least make him the first man off the bench. If he gets himself playing an inside game that keeps pace with his outside game? The chances of him being drafted go through the roof.

Odds: 7-5

Doron Lamb/ Marquis Teague: Another pair of finalists for the discussion. Both of these guys could pull it off. Teague has such a huge upside it's phenomenal, while Lamb may very well become UK's next Tony Delk if his three pointers continue to fall.

Odds: 3-2

So, there you go. Am I nuts? Wouldn't be the first time someone said that. Of course if someone said the Cats would be this good this year, after the last two classes that have left for the draft the way they have, I would have said that was nuts too. It's UK anything can happen. And as long as John Calipari is at the helm, it probably will.

* Disclaimer: This article assumes no change in the NBA's Draft status!!!

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You're NUTS ...... J/K .... I had to say that :)

I see Davis and Jones as obvious 1st rounders and I think Teague has a pretty good chance as well because he will be an NBA PG.. I like the odds you give for the rest … I think Darius and MKG could play their way to better draft position – but at 6-6 and 6-7 their position (NBA 2 or 3) is ultra competitive …

by ukcris on Oct 31, 2011 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

that size thing definitely has to be factored in....

I think they both may have to become dead solid perfect from the trifecta to seal the deal

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Oct 31, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

"...aye, there's the rub."

* Disclaimer: This article assumes no change in the NBA’s Draft status!!!

Will there be a season and/ or a draft? What will the rules of the new CBA: one year? two years? no years?

I tend to think that there will be a settlement before Christmas, but one doesn’t go broke underestimating the stupidity of union negotiations. Many a time we have seen strikes drive on to a point that the bargained results could never repay the losses while out on strike over the contract period. (Heck I would love to have what these guys lose in their sofa cushions,… assuming they actually ever deal in cash themselves.)

by blenheim bard on Oct 31, 2011 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

I think it is too close to call at this point.

Would the league give up the 2 yr rule to get the deal done?? Maybe….then again, it might not really be on the table either…..

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Oct 31, 2011 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Wiljer goes.

He’s not ready. Doron Lamb is marginal, but I’d lay even odds he goes anyway.

I’d be shocked if any of the three top freshmen stayed, but that opinion may change as the season goes on. We all thought Jones gone last year until the end, and then it began to look different.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Nov 1, 2011 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with you Glenn

I’d put the odds on Wiltjer going much longer, especially 1st round. If you gave me even odds on Lamb leaving, I’d take the bet that he stays, I’d put it maybe 40% that he goes. I just have a feeling that he isn’t itching to jump.

Davis, Jones, Teague, strong chance of all three going 1st round. Miller I will go ahead and say yes to 1st round. So the wild card for me is K-G. I think the odds are slightly better than even at the moment that he stays, but every time I think about it, I wanna reverse my call! I just don’t see Vargas in the 1st round. Harrelson didn’t even go 1st round, so no way on Vargas IMO.

expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat

by kcgard2 on Nov 1, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Preseason

I follow this stuff pretty closely on the internet. Here’s a rundown from memory. Davis, Jones, The Kid Gillie, and Teague are consensus first rounders at this point. Teague has a bit of variation as to where he’s projected, but I think the lowest I’ve seen him is early twenties. Lamb is projected as high as early teens by some and as low as the second round by others. Darius is projected as a 2nd rounder by some, undrafted by others. No one seems to think Wiltjer leaves. Vargas has a snowball’s chance of being drafted.

Preseason rankings are not always terribly accurate. Kyrie Irving was thought of as a high lottery pick preseason, but Derrick Williams was definitely not. Some people thought Knight and Kanter would be mid-first round picks instead of high lottery picks. I don’t think anyone thought Tristan Thompson would be the 4th overall pick. Nonetheless, we have a chance based on preseason rankings.

If you really want to pie in the sky it, think about 6. I think Darius has a small chance of going at the end of the first round to a good team looking for a role player. I think he’s bigger and more athletic than NBA scouts give him credit for right now. He has legit NBA 3 size, even though UK lists him as a guard. He could be 2012’s Jimmy Butler, without the background.

Who knows were things will stand with draft projections at the end of the year. I think we all believe Terrence will be much higher than the late lotto pick he’s currently projected as. Plus, you never know who might come back to improve their stock (it looks like we might have some shots available on the 2012-13 team).

by KDH2011 on Nov 1, 2011 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

Fun odds

I’m expecting Davis, Teague, Kidd-Gilchrist, Lamb and Jones to all go and get drafted first round. Miller is a second round to undrafted shot, depending on how well he plays. I’d peg Kidd-Gilchrist as the most likely to return for 2012, a la Terrence Jones this year.

http://aseaofblue.com | http://marchtomarch.fantake.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on Nov 1, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

The 5 Would Be

Davis, Jones, Kidd-Gilchrist, Teague and Lamb. Not Wiltjer (this year) nor Miller.

by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 2, 2011 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

I am expecting the freshman to stay because of two year deal in the NBA……..

by michaelj525 on Nov 3, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

lets hope not ...players returning is what we need next year...

the way our recruiting class for next year is going i think our streak of number 1 is coming to an end…with the transfer and the probably returning players hopefully we wont need a crazy class

by themkyboys on Nov 5, 2011 5:55 AM EDT reply actions

Some folks are saying now that the two year ruke for the NBA won't kick in for a year

in an effort to keep the agents happy who are helping to drive this strike. I, for one, am not sure, but it seems plausible. IF that happens, then we could see another mass exodus. But either way, Calipari will be prepared.

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 5, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions