NBA Draft Rumors: Julius Randle, James Young ‘are for sure gone’

As many as seven Kentucky Wildcats could enter the draft although none have officially made a decision (There was a report that Julius Randle would declare for the draft, but both he and his mother have denied this claim).

In his weekly chat, ESPN’s Chad Ford reported that he expected both Randle and guard James Young were certain to declare for the draft while the future was still up in the air for the rest of the Wildcats.

“Julius Randle and James Young are, for sure, gone,” Ford explained. “I would say Willie Cauley-Stein too, but his comments the other day indicated he might not be a sure thing to leave. The Harrison twins have wanted to leave all year according to multiple sources around the twins, but their draft stock made them iffy first rounders. While they improved their stock, I’m not sure it’s to the point that they are clear first rounders. Andrew probably has the most claim, but he’s not a lock. Another year at Kentucky would help. Dakari Johnson would be a bubble first rounder as well. Ditto for Poythress. I think there’s a chance ALL of them are gone. There are certainly rumblings that direction. But the only three that really make sense right now are Randle, Young and Cauley-Stein.”

Randle seems like a certain top five pick while Young and Cauley-Stein could be picked in the lottery as well, but the rest of the Wildcats would be taking a risk.