NBA Draft 2011: Terrence Jones Could See Stock Drop If He Doesn't Turn Pro

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NBA Draft 2011 Could Mark the Best Year for Kentucky's Terrence Jones to Declare

Entering the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky freshman Terrence Jones' NBA stock was fluctuating wildly, but after a Wildcats run to the Final Four and an uprooting of North Carolina, Jones would be wise to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft.

As ESPN Insider Chad Ford noted before the tourney, "Early in the season, there was talk about him as a potential No. 1 pick. The past month, he has struggled to stay in the top 10. If he can help take Kentucky deep, he'll be a very high lottery pick this summer."

But beyond the Wildcats' deep run in March Madness and Jones playing well along the way, there is also an incoming recruit that could shift Jones' stock in 2012.

Writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, "Kentucky freshman forward Terrence Jones might have another reason to enter this June’s draft. The Wildcats are high on small forward recruit Michael Gilchrist and would probably want Jones to play more power forward if he stays."

Although Jones has played some power forward already for the Wildcats, he could see himself mainly playing the power forward spot, matched up against bigger opponents that could make him look worse, especially on the defensive end.

That is why Jones can't take chances and should declare for the 2011 NBA Draft.

Of course, there's always the other side of the coin, where Jones proves he can play against bigger opponents and raises his stock in the process, but there's really need for him to take such a risk, given he already will probably be a high lottery pick.

Not to mention a certain fiery episode with him and coach John Calipari in January.

Don't worry, Terrence, you aren't a "selfish mother bleep" if you declare this summer.

For Shane DePutron's take on where Jones could land, go here.

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