Milan Momcilovic is shaping up to be the final piece of the puzzle for Kentucky's roster this offseason, and the talented Iowa State transfer just gave fans a crucial update on his NBA Draft process.
The sharpshooting forward is currently participating in the NBA Draft Combine, and during a recent interview with CBS Sports' Isaac Trotter, he laid out his timeline and what it will take for him to stay in the draft or return to college for another season.
"I'm still focused on the draft," Momcilovic said. "I haven't even talked to any colleges yet, but I'm sure if I have to go back, there is a spot open for me somewhere. I'm still going through this process."
With the withdrawal deadline set for May 27, the 6-foot-8 wing has a clear plan. He'll finish up at the combine, then hit the road for individual workouts with NBA teams over the next couple of weeks before making his final call.
What's the magic number for Momcilovic? A first-round guarantee. He made it clear that a second-round selection, especially one that comes with a two-way contract, isn't likely to be enough to keep him in the draft pool.
"If there are guaranteed contracts, that would be good. If it's later in the second round, those are usually two-way contracts, then I'd probably go back. We'll see," he explained.
Should he decide to return to the college ranks, Momcilovic already knows what he's looking for: a system where he can thrive and a team capable of making a deep postseason run.
"If I return to college, just (find) a fit that I can play well in, and hopefully, help my chances to go to the NBA the year after that. Hopefully I'm on a good team that can go far in the tournament," he said.
According to Trotter, Kentucky, St. John's, and Louisville are the three programs in the mix for the former Cyclone. For the Wildcats, landing Momcilovic would be a game-changer. Pair him with Malachi Moreno, and suddenly Kentucky looks like a legitimate Final Four contender on paper.
Of course, that's still a big "if." Momcilovic wants that first-round guarantee, and with several draft entrants expected to return to school, there's a real chance he could hear his name called late in Round 1. But he's not leaving anything to chance—he wants a promise before he makes the leap.