Moreno is rising up the Draft Mocks

[blueheretic]

He's listed between 20 and 28.

That is right in the sweet spot. Kentucky (college teams) can match that kind of money.

Consensus seems to be that he return to college with a possible jump to the Lottery next year.


I did not have this on my bingo card at the beginning of the year. lol. If Moreno really improves in the second half of the SEC, there is a world where he goes to the NBA in June.

[Pobilly]

M&M will have a big decision. Play in the league (Gleague) or come back. Either way he will get paid but should get paid more coming back to UK. But if he is not into school and such it might suit him. I think in the end he will be back in college for your 2. At least as of Feb 9th 2026

[bucsrule8872]

Hoping he comes back, of course.

I think he probably makes more returning.

Getting him back will be huge for Pope. He could be a dominant college big man next season.

[blueheretic]

I can see it both ways.

Getting Moreno back for next year is a big deal for next year's team. Moreno will be a key contributor.

If Moreno goes to the Lottery this year after ONE year with Pope, it helps Pope in recruiting. It should. He has a kid to point to and say; "Look, he came to Kentucky to play for us and we pushed him and got him to the NBA."

I see either path as a win.

Pope has to capitalize on it whichever way it goes down.

It's also a counter to the Johnson problem. Johnson hasn't quite panned out. Moreno being talked about for the Draft quiets down some of the Johnson negativity that is everywhere.

[***St.Patterson-54***]

It's always a catch-22. I'd rather have him a 2nd year for sure, but it also helps to take a kid who was a "project" and build him to nearly getting in the lottery in an absolutely STACKED draft class.

That last part is a good point- because this class is ridiculously talented, he might be better off to go to the draft after next season.

[Cawood86]

Moreno has been a hugs surprise for me. Definitely hope he returns. I think another year helps him. Needs more strength for the position he plays.

[***St.Patterson-54***]

Moreno has been a hugs surprise for me. Definitely hope he returns. I think another year helps him. Needs more strength for the position he plays.

Yep. He needs to get stronger and work on his hands and his positioning. Better to get paid to do that in college than to risk failing in the NBA.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I honestly hope he comes back for h8s sophomore year

[Simple_Man]

I am going to echo some other post about MM.At this point he definitely needs to come back for another season to get better in a number of ways.He needs to be stronger,quicker, improve his hands and just get more experience and comfortable in his game before he makes the jump.But hey what do I know, he may bolt ,times are different now.

[WeWant9]

He is one of those guys you just got to retain. I'd imagine he will declare and go through the process, but ultimately comes back for at least one more season.

[BIG BLUE GURU]

We need him back desperately. Next years team should be built around him and Chandler.

[blueheretic]

If Pope would recruit, there's a dude out there who could replace Chandler. He's ranked pretty high, too.