Mark Pope entered the offseason with a lot of pressure, a lot of critics, and a mandate to do what it takes to get Kentucky back to the promised land. He swung for the fences with No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes, but was ultimately played as the star forward settled on Kansas and Bill Self. High school recruiting, from there on out, simply couldn't be the answer.
The portal didn't offer a ton of additional hope when it comes to star-power, either, and there are legitimate concerns about the current roster with limited scholarships remaining. That's why Rob Dauster, of the Field of 68, believes Mark Pope needs to write a "blank check" to one of Milan Momcilovic and Allen Graves.
Both guys are going through the NBA Draft process, along with Malachi Moreno; if either comes back to the collegiate level, Kentucky must make them a priority. Dauster said, "If I'm Kentucky, and I don't see Milan Momcilovic and Allen Graves' names in any first round mock drafts, I'm writing a blank check. Name your price."
"If I'm Kentucky, and I don't see Milan Momcilovic and Allen Graves' names in any first round mock drafts, I'm writing a blank check. Name your price." - @RobDauster
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 12, 2026
🎥: https://t.co/lipXEQqLXP pic.twitter.com/nNilOYhUVz
A Need to Go All-In
In making space for Tyran Stokes, Kentucky sat aside, according to some, upwards of $6 million in NIL. If that's true, that share could be allotted in any and every day to either Graves or Momcilovic. The 25th overall pick in the NBA Draft is due to make around $2.5 million, according to Sportrac. So, unless Graves or Momcilovic go higher than projected, both could likely make more money in suiting up for Kentucky.
Graves has been really impressive shooting the ball in college, but according to Yahoo!, that didn't translate well into the NBA drills. He also tested poorly in the agility drills, and that could mean slipping out of the first round completely. The faster his projections fall, the more likely a return to the NCAA seems.
As for Momcilovic, he hasn't clearly helped or hurt himself at the combine. He shot the bell really well, sure, but everyone knows he can do that with ease. To climb into the first round, the forward may need another yet of collegiate ball, also. He's widely projected in the second round, as of now.
Of course, both could still stay in the draft, and it doesn't matter how much money you them if each are decisively done with the college experience.. But Dauster is right: Mark Pope should do all he can to land at least one of these two studs to fill Kentucky's need for a go-to guy.
Coach Pope has spent ample time answering fan questions on social media the last week or so, and now it's time to meet the BBN's biggest need... even if that means writing a brutal blank check.
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