Each and every season, Calipari reloads with the youngest team in the country and prepares them for a run at the national title. Next year will be no different.

With the exception of Reid Travis who graduates and unanimous All-American PJ Washington, there is a case for each player to return. However, that is not going to happen, lets look ahead to what next year’s team is shaping up to look like.

Gone

PJ Washington

Before the season I had heard that PJ Washington was leaving at the end of the year, regardless of what happened. With his unanimous All-American level play, it is his time to go.

Expected draft position: Pick 15 (ESPN), Pick 15 (CBS Sports)

Keldon Johnson

While he had his flashes of greatness, its safe to say that Keldon Johnson underperformed in his freshman season at Kentucky. However, the NBA draft is now based on potential and Johnson has one of the highest potentials in the draft and has NBA size.

Expected draft position: Pick 19 (ESPN), Pick 12 (CBS Sports)

Decisions

Tyler Herro

Before the season started not many believed that Tyler Herro could be a one-and-done, but here we are in April and that is looking like the case. There is a case to be made that Tyler Herro should come back but this season he showed that he is more than just a scorer.

After the Elite Eight loss against Auburn, Herro went on to say “There’s a chance (I’ll be back). Definitely a chance. … I just love Kentucky. I haven’t thought of a decision. I haven’t looked at anything.”

Expected draft position: Pick 17 (ESPN), Pick 30 (CBS Sports)

Ashton Hagans

After the departure of Quade Green back in December, Ashton Hagans changed the dynamic of this team. Hagans seemed to be one and done after his play in December and January, but more recent play has dropped him significantly.

Hagans has to confidence to make the jump, saying he is “definitely” and NBA level player. However, with a return he could play himself back into the first round.

Expected draft position: Undrafted 61 (ESPN)

Mystery: Nick Richard/Jemarl Baker/Immanuel Quickley

I have no inside information, however I just feel that there is a player on this team that could decide to leave to pursue and international professional career or transfer to another school.

With plenty of competition at the guard spots next season, Jemarl Baker, Immanuel Quickley, or Brad Calipari could elect to transfer. While Nick Richards has been far from advertised, he could easily pursue an overseas career with his size.

Returning

Nick Richards

In the Calipari era, We have never seen a former McDonald’s All-American return for a junior season, unless they had been sidelined with an injury. Richards has that opportunity and needs to continue developing. Remember Richards started playing basketball at the age of 16, but you can’t teach size. Richards could cite that reason and choose to pursue a professional career.

EJ Montgomery

After being ranked a top 10 recruit before the season, Montgomery had one-and-done potential. However, he was a backup but showed flashes of what could come next season, and he should return.

Immanuel Quickley

Quickley signed to Kentucky knowing he was not going to be a one-and-done player. Quickley impressed in the Bahamas and while he was the backup for the majority of the year, he was consistent. Quickley became a knockdown catch and shoot shooter and he will be needed next season.

Jemarl Baker

After sitting out with a knee injury for a year and a half, the fans finally got to see Jemarl Baker in action. While he didn’t get to play a lot, he showed that he can shoot and surprised people with his defensive ability.

There will be a lot of competition at the guard spots next year. While Kentucky will need his shooting, don’t be surprised if Baker chooses to play elsewhere.

The Rest: Brad Calipari, Zan Payne

Recently, there has been some murmurs that Brad Calipari could transfer. This stems from John Calipari’s interview with Jim Rome before the Sweet Sixteen, where Coach Cal discussed the possibility. While he is not an elite player, Brad could contribute to a smaller division 1 school or lower.

However, I have been told that Brad has an interest in coaching following his playing career and why wouldn’t you learn from your dad and one of the best coaching staffs in the country. Brad could very well transfer and return afterwards, however there is no experience like Kentucky and I don’t see him leaving nor Zan Payne.

Newcomers

Earlier this week, graduate transfer Nate Sestina announced his commitment to Kentucky following a three day visit.

Sestina will join 2019 five-star commits Tyrese Maxey, Khalil Whitney, and Keion Brooks Jr. along with four-star Kentucky native Dontaie Allen.

This incoming crop of recruits and graduate transfers looks promising. Maxey and Whitney could be a similar pairing to De’Aron Fox and Malik Monk. Keion Brooks Jr. doesn’t jump off the page with talent but he is a gritty player that is willing to do anything on the court to get a win. Sestina is similar in size to Reid Travis and will bring the ability to stretch the floor and rebound. As for Allen, he brings great scoring ability but as he rehabs from an ACL tear, fans most likely won’t see him in action until the 2020-2021 season.

Recruiting

It’s no secret that Kentucky needs to add depth to the front court and after missing out on several 2019 big men like James Wiseman and Vernon Carey, they are starting to explore other options.

The Wildcats are still in the running for 2019 big men Matthew Hurt and Jaden McDaniels.

Last month, Hurt announced that he would commit the day before his birthday on April 19th. Hurt will choose between Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Hurt’s father insists that there is no favorite, but the decision is likely to come down between Duke and Kentucky.

As for McDaniels, he does not enjoy discussing his recruitment and very little is known. McDaniels has one of the highest potentials in this years recruiting class but all signs are pointing to him staying on the west coast.

If neither Hurt of McDaniels choose the Cats, Cal will have to look heavily at reclassification options and even another graduate transfer.

Isaiah Todd was thought to be a Kentucky lock if he recommitted to the 2019 class. While he still could end up a Wildcats, Todd’s mother announced he would not reclassify and would stay in the 2020 class.

Other frontcourt reclassification options include Jaemyn Brakefield and N’Faly Dante and even RJ Hampton in the backcourt.

Expected Roster

G Tyrese Maxey
G Ashton Hagans
G Khalil Whitney
F EJ Montgomery
F Nick Richards

– Keion Brooks Jr.
– Nate Sestina
– Reclassification
– Immanuel Quickley
– Brad Calipari
– Zan Payne

Next year’s team has the potential to be really good, but they are still a piece or two away from being the dominant team they could be. However, nothing is known until players make their decisions. Let’s be patient and watch how it plays out, and remember to trust in Cal.