2025-26 Roster Chatter (UPDATE: Oweh Returns, Roster Complete)

[Joneslab]

You'd think both Yaxel and Oweh could command upwards of $5 million apiece if they wanted it. You *might* be able to work Oweh down but he'd be among the top in the portal, and those guys can get virtually any amount they want.

[KCKUKFan]

Imagine spending 5 million dollars for a guy named Yaxel when John Wall and Anthony Davis weren't allowed to get a dime.*



* Yeah, I know.

** Can we pay reparation NIL to guys?

[Joneslab]

I'm sure UK paid quite a lot for both Wall and Davis...but probably nowhere near what we're having to pay now for these guys.

I'm fine with talents like Yaxel and Oweh getting it. It's when you've got literal role players asking for enormous payouts that it starts to get into the "This is totally insane" portion of the proceedings.

[abroo588]

Can we pay reparation NIL to guys?

🤣🤣🤣
Very rare that I actually laugh out loud. But this got me!

[KCKUKFan]

literal role players

[Joneslab]

Let me clarify.

By that I mean not guys averaging 14 points a game on 30-win teams. I mean guys who are tasked with roles: stand here in the corner, shoot a three, grab some bench. Almonor, Kyle Wiltjer in 2012, Derek Willis in 2017, Darnell Dodson in 2010, etc. etc.

Ironically Kentucky needed a role guy they didn't have this past season: the type who could go in there, grab a couple of loose balls, guard 3 or 4 positions, and didn't ask for much offense. I think that's part of the reason why Pope and the staff are trying to go huge this next season.

[George]

I'm sure UK paid quite a lot for both Wall and Davis...but probably nowhere near what we're having to pay now for these guys.

I'm fine with talents like Yaxel and Oweh getting it. It's when you've got literal role players asking for enormous payouts that it starts to get into the "This is totally insane" portion of the proceedings.

The rumor at the time was $125k for Davis. Friggin' steal.

[George]

Pope may have met with Pitt's Jaland Lowe. Could be a guard to keep an eye on.

[Joneslab]

Pope may have met with Pitt's Jaland Lowe. Could be a guard to keep an eye on.

Watched him earlier this season light Louisville up.

However...he's not a shooter, in fact is a much-worse-than-average outside shooter, so it's a bit of a strange fit for Pope's offense.

[Joneslab]

The rumor at the time was $125k for Davis. Friggin' steal.

My dad used to always say Davis deserved $10 million.

[DA#23]

Imagine it’s 2009, John Calipari is one of 3 or 4 premier coaches in the game and has just accepted the job at Kentucky. He’s tasked with trying to put together a blockbuster roster in year one, and in an effort to add some perimeter shooting he contacts Darnell Dodson to see if he will come to UK.

Cal- “Darnell, I want you to come to UK with me. It’s going to an amazing first season and I think we could become something special. We need some help with 3pt shooting and I think you could fulfill that role.”

DD- “Yo Coach, HOW MUCH ???”

[DA#23]

My dad used to always say Davis deserved $10 million.

$1 million for the UniBrow t-shirts alone

And I thought we were accused of paying him $300 k ?

[KCKUKFan]

Pope met with Jaron Piere last night.

[KCKUKFan]

Imagine it’s 2009, John Calipari is one of 3 or 4 premier coaches in the game and has just accepted the job at Kentucky. He’s tasked with trying to put together a blockbuster roster in year one, and in an effort to add some perimeter shooting he contacts Darnell Dodson to see if he will come to UK.

Cal- “Darnell, I want you to come to UK with me. It’s going to an amazing first season and I think we could become something special. We need some help with 3pt shooting and I think you could fulfill that role.”

DD- “Yo Coach, HOW MUCH ???”

Cal could have just paid Darnell in weed.

We've had some smokers at UK, but that dude stayed high.

[Joneslab]

Imagine it’s 2009, John Calipari is one of 3 or 4 premier coaches in the game and has just accepted the job at Kentucky. He’s tasked with trying to put together a blockbuster roster in year one, and in an effort to add some perimeter shooting he contacts Darnell Dodson to see if he will come to UK.

Cal- “Darnell, I want you to come to UK with me. It’s going to an amazing first season and I think we could become something special. We need some help with 3pt shooting and I think you could fulfill that role.”

DD- “Yo Coach, HOW MUCH ???”

A 6'7" three-point specialist rumored to be as deadeye as Dodson was rumored to be would probably command at least a mil now. At least.

I mean Auburn's in the Final Four with two D2 transfers in their rotation. You best believe if they had a chance to pick up 6'7" Dodson from the JUCO ranks they would've jumped at it.