Jordan Bone to NBA Draft: What it means for Tennessee basketball

This time last year, Jordan Bone was devastated after Tennessee lost to Loyola-Chicago in the NCAA Tournament.

The Vols point guard flipped that emotion into a fantastic offseason to launch himself into a stellar junior season.

Now, Bone is headed to the NBA Draft with clear intentions of remaining in it, while still keeping the door open to return to Tennessee.

Here is what it means for Tennessee based on his eventual decision:

If Jordan Bone returns

Tennessee likely is on the fridge of the Top 10 heading into next season despite the loss of Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander. The potential loss of Grant Williams also is a major factor.

Vols coach Rick Barnes has helped mold Bone into a lead guard that runs his offense well, which contributed largely to Tennessee's success this season. He took a major leap last offseason and another year could elevate his game even more with another.

The NBA Draft process gives Bone — and any player who goes through it — valuable feedback and opportunity to improve. Another few sets of eyes can go a long way, which Schofield found out last year in going through the draft process.

A guard lineup of Bone, Lamonte Turner and either freshman Josiah James or Jordan Bowden would be a potent one for Tennessee. Bone and Turner played well off each other late in the season and have complementary games, which would bode well for a likely guard-led Vols team.

Bone's presence also would be valuable for James, who is a point guard and will play it in Knoxville. Bone went through the difficulties and pressures of playing point guard for Barnes and would be a great sounding board and leader for James.

If Jordan Bone stays in the NBA Draft

The Vols are replacing at least three starters and possibly four if Williams also enters and stays in the NBA Draft.

Turner would be the lone returning starter for UT if that is how it all unfolds. If Williams returns, the Vols would have two starters back and still would likely be a Top 15 team starting next season.

If Bone and Williams go, Tennessee looks a lot different next season. The Vols go from what would look like a reload to a little more of a rebuild, which happens almost anytime a team replaces four starters.

The Vols have Bowden as a capable and proven option to step into the starting lineup. James, the five-star freshman, would face a much larger role from the moment he sets foot on campus in May, while a large role will be assumed either way.

The trickle down of losing Bone surely would lead Tennessee to explore adding a graduate transfer guard because UT's numbers in the front court would be low. It also would mean the Vols need more from Yves Pons next season as a junior.

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