2011 NBA Draft: Where Are Kentucky's Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight Headed?

Kentucky coach John Calipari has made it clear that he thinks that his two freshman stars, Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones, should test the waters of the NBA draft. Before you think that is strange that a coach would "run off" two of his best players, hold on. 

Along with that, Calipari has also said that they shouldn't initially hire agents. In doing so, after getting some solid assessments from NBA scouts, they could elect to come back to school for another year if the feedback they receive is not to their liking.

The order that NBA teams select in the draft is based on an annual lottery of all of the franchises that didn't make the playoffs or those teams that own the rights to those franchises pick.

The 2011 NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 17, 2011.

So, we will not know the order of the selections until then.

For Knight, he is listed on many mock draft boards as the No. 3 PG in this year's draft, behind Kyrie Irving (Duke) and Kemba Walker (UConn).

Most likely, that would put Knight going anywhere from the ninth to the 12th pick.

For Jones, he is listed on those same draft boards as the No. 3 SF in this year's draft if Harrison Barnes (North Carolina) comes out. If Barnes returns to Chapel Hill, T.J. might move into the No. 2 position behind Derrick Williams (Arizona).

If this stays the same, Jones, like Knight, would go anywhere from the ninth to the 12th pick.

The advice that some give is: If you are in the lottery, you have to take a strong look at entering the draft.

The counter-question would be: If you are a lower lottery pick, could you improve your draft stock by coming back another year and elevating your game?

The answer to that question is: No one knows.

My guess is both Knight and Jones will enter and stay in this year's NBA draft...sorry, Calipari!