Kentucky basketball: Starting lineup options for next season

Kentucky coach John Calipari talks to his players during the second half of the NCAA Midwest Regional Final on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Auburn beat Kentucky, 77-71, in overtime. (Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 21: Federal Way Eagles forward Jaden McDaniels (2) during the high school basketball game between the Ranney Panthers and Federal Way Eagles on January 21, 2019 at Blake Arena in Springfield, MA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Best case scenario

Point Guard: R.J. Hampton
Shooting Guard: Tyrese Maxey
Small Forward: Kahlil Witney
Power Forward: Jaden McDaniels
Center: Nick Sestina

This lineup would feature five brand new starters for the Wildcats, including four freshmen and a grad transfer. The headliners in this group would be the only two players who haven’t committed. to Kentucky yet, point guard R.J. Hampton and power forward Jaden McDaniesl.

McDaniels, a 6’10 power forward from Federal Way, Washington, is the second highest rated player on the ESPN 100 that hasn’t committed yet. Kentucky is one of five schools on McDaniels’ list and the furthest east, a sign that they are definitely a factor for a guy who could step right into P.J. Washington’s spot in the lineup.

While point guard isn’t a necessity for Calipari with Hagans and Quickley returning, they could still score a big coup by landing the reclassifying R.J. Hampton. Hampton had long been assumed to be destined for Duke, but Tre Jones’ return to Durham may send Hampton into the waiting arms of Calipari as a one-and-done player.

Those two would team with Tyrese Maxey and Kahlil Witney, the two top recruits in Kentucky’s class at the moment, and grad transfer Nick Sestina at the five to form a truly elite starting lineup. If Calipari can land Hampton and McDaniels, Kentucky could easily vault to the top of the pre-season polls.