With opening tip-off just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the expansion Kentucky Colonels.

In the backcourt, the Colonels will be led by free agent pickup Monte Morris at point guard. With Payton Pritchard being the backup. Opposite Morris, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson are expected to compete for the starting job. Rookie Ricky Bradley will start the season in the G-League with the Evansville Rage.

In the frontcourt, Luguentz Dort is expected to start at small forward with Julian Strawther backing him up. Rookie Jared Higgins joins Bradley in Evansville. The power forward position is completely up for grabs. It’ll be a battle between three 24-year-olds in Trayce Jackson-Davis, E.J. Liddel, and Hunter Tyson. Day’Ron Sharpe and Jalen Smith are expected to get equal playing time at center to start the season.

The coaching staff will be led by Terry Stotts who signed a 4-year deal worth $5.8M per season. Stotts was last a head coach with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2012-2021. Stotts spent 2023 as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. Stotts has accumulated a head coaching record of 517-486. Joining Stotts will be Eddie Jordan as 1st Assistant, Ulrich Morgan as 2nd assistant and Dee Brown as the 3rd assistant.

---

The Kentucky Colonels are projected to finish last in the Midwest Division and last in the Eastern Conference. Here are the rest of the season projections according to WSSN.