Lack of available agents could affect NBA Draft process

Coronavirus is impacting you; it’s impacting me; and it’s impacting Kentucky Wildcats that want to take their game to the next level which, from the sound of reports, could almost reach half a dozen.

It starts at the NBA level though as agents are trying to keep clients that are without work as the league is currently suspended, with no resume date having been placed.

With that suspension, things like the NBA combine have been canceled. The virus, which has been considered a pandemic for some time now, has made is difficult or impossible for players to get connected with certified agents.

“Early-entry prospects are either choosing between a small group of certified agents — some of whom lack experience — or going through the pre-draft process with a non-certified adviser while attempting to follow those mandates to maintain eligibility. Multiple sources expressed skepticism about how players, agents, college coaches, teams and the NCAA will cleanly navigate this new landscape,” Jonathan Givony of ESPN (premium content) wrote.

This makes things especially difficult when considering all the loopholes that players have to jump through to secure the best of both worlds — declaring for the draft and still being able to return to college.

“This is not a time to be adding players to your client list; it’s a time to consolidate,” one agent told Givony.

Players like Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans, Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley are all expected to be drafted, and they could use the guidance and expertise of those knowledgeable advisors.

A program that’s oftentimes praised for their ability to secure top talent, UK will have one of the best recruiting classes coming in next season. That means several of these Wildcats — both now and future — will hope this current class finds a home in the NBA.

If they can’t find agents and move on with their careers, this could be an issue not just for Quickley and Maxey, but also for Terrence and BJ Boston, two top-five recruits planning to join UK next fall.