Kentucky fans far and wide are wondering who is going and who is leaving ever since Kentucky lost in the Elite Eight.
Ashton Hagans has come back and Keldon Johnson has decided to test the waters while PJ Washington had jumped in head first and will sign an agent.
After looking at SI.com’s Mock Draft you can see why each has done the right thing so far in my opnion.
Washington is projected in the Lottery while Keldon Johnson is outside the Top 14. Johnson said if he is projected in the Lottery he will stay in the draft. It looks like he has a little work to do.
Tyler Herro is ranked #16 and has a shot of sneaking into the Lottery himself. Of course, we will are still waiting on his decision but one would think he will at least test the waters.
11.Los Angeles Lakers LAKERS: PJ WASHINGTON, PF, KENTUCKY
Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 230 | SophomoreThis is a pick the Lakers will probably consider trading as they try to jump-start their roster around LeBron James. If they keep it, finding someone who can help immediately is likely imperative. Washington was hampered somewhat by a foot injury in the tournament, but assuming health checks out, he should be an option for teams targeting immediate depth as high as this back-lottery range. He wouldn’t be a sexy pick, but has an appealing, translatable skill set that should fit into an NBA frontline sooner than later. If Washington can continue to improve his outside shooting (although his free throws remain subpar), it will go a long way.
16. Orlando Magic MAGIC: TYLER HERRO, SG, KENTUCKY
Height: 6’5″ | Weight: 190 | Freshman
Orlando has a need for perimeter shooting, particularly with Terence Ross’s contract expiring, and Herro fits the bill well in this range of the draft. He helped himself a good deal over the course of the season, and while there are still some physical limitations he’ll face at the next level, he’s proven he’s more than just a specialist and added value in other ways for Kentucky. Herro’s upside is tied to him refining his jumper and on-the-move shooting into an elite skill, but he’s on the right track. He wouldn’t be the typical, toolsy Magic draftee, but he would make sense.18. Boston Celtics CELTICS (VIA CLIPPERS): KELDON JOHNSON, G/F, KENTUCKY
Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 210 | Freshman
While Johnson comes with some limitations, his competitive drive, offensive skill package and positional value give him a solid floor. Although it’s possible he falls a bit behind his teammates on draft night, teams still like his intangibles, and he certainly won’t have to be a star to justify being selected in this range. It’s worth noting that it seems unlikely the Celtics keep all of their picks.
Read “2019 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Projecting All 60 Picks After March Madness” by clicking here.
