Arizona’s Offseason Plans Hinge on One Decision

Arizona Gets Pair of Stars To Return 

The Wildcats have already gotten Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas to come back for next season. Both players were just as impactful as Peat was to the Wildcats’ success last season, and they figure to be major parts of their core once again. 

However, the Wildcats will need to find a replacement for Peat if he stays in the draft and doesn’t return to Tucson. Given the uncertainty, they can’t bank on Peat coming back if they don’t know for sure. 

Already dealing with the loss of Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley — also to the NBA Draft — the Wildcats cannot afford to have some form of a contingency plan for whether or not Peat remains in the draft. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello agrees and says that finding insurance for Peat is the team’s top priority. 

Borzello’s Thoughts 

“The answer to this issue could be... Koa Peat himself. Peat is projected to go No. 24 overall in ESPN's latest mock draft,” Borzello said. “If the former five-star forward is still projected in that range after the NBA draft combine, might he return to Tucson? Tommy Lloyd would welcome him back with open arms.”

“If Peat stays in the draft, however, Lloyd and his staff desperately need to find a starter in the frontcourt,” Borzello added. “The Wildcats received positive news when Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov withdrew from the draft and returned to school, and they're well-stocked in the backcourt with Derek Dixon, JJ Mandaquit and Caleb Holt."

"But they lack pieces up front. Lloyd has been the best international recruiter in the country over the past 20 years, though -- he could go that route to replace Peat.”

The Wildcats will continue to monitor the situation with Peat ahead of the draft, while also seeking to add pieces to replace him if he doesn’t return. After an impressive freshman season with the Wildcats, a return to Tucson next season would be wonderful news for the team, while also giving Peat a chance to boost his draft stock.