With the 2026 NBA Draft now less than a month away, the Kentucky Wildcats are still waiting on a pair of crucial decisions that could shape their roster for the upcoming season.
On Friday, college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman shared the results of a survey conducted among 10 NBA executives regarding several draft-eligible players. The executives were asked whether those players would be better served staying in the draft or returning to college, and the feedback provided plenty of optimism for Kentucky fans.
Among the players included in the poll were rising Wildcats big man Malachi Moreno and Kentucky transfer target Milan Momcilovic.
The outlook for Moreno was overwhelmingly positive from Kentucky’s perspective. Nine of the 10 executives believed the talented frontcourt player should return to college, while only one felt he should remain in the draft process.
A return to Lexington would be a major boost for head coach Mark Pope. Moreno is widely viewed as a potential centerpiece for Kentucky’s 2026-27 squad and is expected to take a significant leap in development next season. If he returns, the Wildcats would add another highly skilled piece to what could become one of the nation’s most talented rosters.
The verdict on Momcilovic was even more decisive. The 6-foot-8 Wisconsin native received a unanimous recommendation from all 10 NBA executives to head back to college rather than stay in the draft.
Should Momcilovic choose the college route, securing his commitment will not come cheaply. According to Isaac Trotter of 247Sports, his NIL value could reach an eye-popping figure.
“It’s hard to leave $6 million on the table, and I think he’d get a number in that ballpark,” Trotter said.
If Kentucky can successfully bring back Moreno while also landing Momcilovic, the Wildcats could quickly emerge as one of the strongest teams in the country and a legitimate contender for a national championship next season.
