With Chris Smith's possible NBA jump, let's look at @UCLAMBB recruiting for a sec. Currently, we have 5* PG Daishen Nix and 4* SG Jaylen Clark signed on for next year. That leaves #UCLA with 3 open scholies (assuming Smith leaves*)

*want to clarify, that he is not 100% gone

With those 3 scholies, we have a few options, both freshman and transfers. The most likely transfer option we have is SF Johnny Juzang from Kentucky. If Smith does end up leaving, Juzang would fill an immediate need. Additionally, he is a very good shooter to add to the roster.

Juzang would most likely need to redshirt next year (unless he gets an NCAA waiver) and would be a RS SO in the 2021-22 season. He's also originally a Southern CA kid, so UCLA seems like the logical choice for him and could very well be in the driver's seat for his recruitment

Next we have C Joshua Morgan, from Long Beach St. He's a good rebounder, shot blocker, and has some NBA potential.He'd also have to RS next season and would play as a RS SO in 2021-22. He'd be a good add for Cronin especially if either of Hill or Riley bounced next season.

Morgan is looking to stay in SoCal and UCLA is facing competition from both Southern Cal and SDSU in his recruitment. Cronin and crew are recruiting him hard, but it remains to be seen where he ends up. Arizona and Oregon are also in the mix.

UCLA is also in the mix for some high ranked HS kids. 1st up is 5* SF Ziaire Williams from Sierra Canyon, 1 of the best prospects in the nation and a likely 1 and done. He's pretty academic focused and doesn't have a typical 5* circus recruitment. Stanford allegedly leads for him

Williams is touted to be a surefire NBA lottery pick and would bring immediate scoring prowess from the wing position for UCLA.

Lastly, we have 5* SG Joshua Christopher. Again, another kid who is most likely a 1 and done and a great scorer. He's currently a longshot for UCLA.

With that in mind, who does Cronin take? Let's just assume all want to come. It was clear last season that we need outside shooting badly. Besides Kyman, nobody shot 3s consistently. With that in mind, we think UCLA should take Juzang. He fills a position need (if Smith is gone)

and provides outside shooting. He also brings high-major game experience (from Kentucky) and has shown defensive craftiness. The 2nd scholie is Morgan's. Again, another commit with the future in mind, but there's a real chance that one of Hill or Riley is gone after next year.

That would leave us with 1 of Hill/Riley and Nwuba as our big men. Morgan would be able to step in and bridge that gap. He rebounds and protects the rim and would fit Cronin's system well. The last scholie goes to Williams. He fills an immediate need at SF for next season...

and adds scoring prowess. He'd elevate the team's offense next season immediately, especially paired with a distributor like Nix. He's the type of talent that would make UCLA a top 10-15ish team going into next season.

Now the more likely situation, where Smith comes back (we think the logical thing is that he comes back), the 2 scholies go to Juzang + Morgan. Smith will be gone after next season, so Juzang would slide in nicely there. Morgan also comes in to take either Hill/Riley's spot.

UCLA starts 2020-21 as a top 15-20 team w/ its core roster intact from last year, adds a fantastic PG and another Cronin-type defensive guard and 2 high level players that shore up expected departures for 21-22. This is a long-term play, but 1 that sets UCLA up for the future