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 19: Roselle Catholic Lions forward Kahlil Whitney (2) during the first half of the high school basketball game between the Roselle Catholic Lions and Norcross Blue Devils on January 19, 2019 at Blake Arena in Springfield, MA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Middle of the road scenario

Point guard: Ashton Hagans
Shooting guard: Tyreke Maxey
Small forward: Kahlil Witney
Power forward: Matthew Hurt
Center: Nick Sestina

Ok, now this is where things get a little bit tougher for Kentucky. Hampton still goes to Kansas here, but this option sees Jaden McDaniels opt for a school closer to his home in Washington state, possibly Washington or UCLA.

That’s no big deal for Kentucky, which can simply slide down the list and roll with Matthew Hurt at the four. Hurt isn’t rated as highly as McDaniels on the ESPN 100, but both are top 10 recruits, so adding him to this class would be a coup for Calipari.

While there are plenty of teams in on Hurt, including both Duke and North Carolina, Calipari’s tremendous track record of producing lottery picks brings Hurt to Lexington. Hurt can then team up with Kahlil Witney and Tyreke Maxey to form the core of a loaded Wildcats’ offense, creating a scary dynamic for SEC opponents.

This group of talented scorers, paired with the experience of rising sophomore Ashton Hagans and grad transfer Nick Sestina, should still be plenty of firepower for Kentucky. Consider this the 8.5 out of 10 version of the 2019-2020 Kentucky Wildcats.