ESPN's new mock draft doesn't think highly of former Cats

We still have an NBA Draft to watch. Did you forget? ESPN didn’t, and today it updated its mock draft as Thursday’s NBA draft lottery gets closer.

Unfortunately for UK’s NBA hopefuls in this year’s draft class, none of them are in a comfortable position. In fact, Tyrese Maxey, the first Wildcat off the board, fell out of the lottery and all the way down to No. 16 in ESPN’s draft. Portland is his landing spot there, although the mock draft gives Maxey a ceiling of the tenth pick and a floor of No. 22.

“Portland might be looking to bolster its backcourt depth after seeing Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum finish in the top three in the NBA in minutes played,” the story reads. “Maxey is a versatile guard with the size, strength and length to play either backcourt position, and he’s an instinctual scorer who brings physicality and toughness to the defensive end.”

No other former Kentucky player is considered a first-round talent from there. You’ll have to scroll way down to No. 52 to see Immanuel Quickley to the Sacramento Kings, followed by Ashton Hagans two picks later to the Indiana Pacers and then Nick Richards at No. 57 to the Clippers.

See the entire mock draft here.

The 2020 NBA Draft is currently scheduled for Friday, October 16, the night before UK plays Tennessee in football.

Mark your calendar.