NBa Draft season has officially been upon us for weeks now. Many teams, Kentucky included, are waiting around to see where certain guys go before finalizing their rosters to any serious extent. Patience is truly a virtue in the month of May.
And, while fans' perspectives on what guys should do are one thing (Cats fans certainly aren't shy about sharing), it's the preferences of bigwigs on the next level that have the ultimate say.
Per The Field of 68 and Jeff Goodman, 10 NBA executives anonymously gave their takes on a handful of draft prospects' looming decisions. With the stay/go deadline coming up on May 27, the discussion is nearing an all-time temperature for everyone yet to choose.
Of course, hopeful Kentucky returner Malahci Moreno is featured prominently on the list, alongside star transfer target Milan Momcilovic. The Big Blue Nation will be happy to know that, as least as far as professional executives go, both these big names are recommended to run it back in college.
Recommended to Run it Back
Whether or not these executives are involved with teams that Moreno and Momcilovic have each spoken to, for only one to suggest that Moreno stays in the draft - and none for Momcilovic - certainly seems to imply a consensus of sorts.
🚨 STAY OR GO 🚨@GoodmanHoops talked to 10 NBA executives to get their takes on what these players should do
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 22, 2026
Who should stay in the NBA Draft and who should return to school? 🤔⬇️ pic.twitter.com/m49ObYdPfx
We already know that Moreno is back in the blue and white if he returns to college and, given this news, that possibility looks more realistic than ever. Momcilovic, on the other hand, is where the potential new news comes into the picture.
With the battle for his recruitment reportedly coming down to Kentucky and Louisville, at least primarily, this latest hint is the "green means go" sign that Mark Pope has to punch it in pursuit of the former Iowa State wing.
It's time for Kentucky to go all-in.
Time For Kentucky to go All-In
Retaining Moreno would be a big deal in itself, instantly forming a sense of comfort around Kentucky's already good roster, but bringing Momcilovic with him elevates the team to height previously unconsidered.
All the sudden, the Cats add a near-20 points per game scorer (who shoots a 48% clip from range) to a lineup already chock-full of playmaking and individual scoring. Momcilovic is a perfect fit for Pope's offense - a point that's already been beaten into the dirt, and rightfully so - and appears to be the last ideal piece for the head coach's third-year vision.
For Kentucky to be in a position, perhaps even an advantageous one, to land both of these guys should have BBN doing backflips on State Street (don't, actually, but you get the point.)
This looks like a prime opportunity for Pope to bury his recruiting shortcomings this offseason and build the best team, according to the optics, that he's had yet in Lexington.
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