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With Nate Ament going to the NBA draft Rick Barnes has an obvious move to make

Rick Barnes needs to put the full-court press on Juke Harris.
ByConner Linsner|
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Feb 14, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Feb 14, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes during the first half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Everyone has been waiting since the loss to Michigan in the Elite Eight to see what Nate Ament would do this off-season, because Tennessee’s future rides on his decision. 

The transfer portal is closing and Tennessee still has one glaring hole

Many fans have been holding out hope that a man could maybe stay for another year, but that is not the case, as he has officially declared for the NBA draft. While Ament has been very open about how much he loves playing at Tennessee, it was reported that he was torn on what to do. He made the decision to go to the NBA, which is probably what’s best for him. 

 Looking at the bigger picture, Ament will get to develop in the NBA, specifically with whatever franchise drafts him wants for him, so it makes sense he left Tennessee. It would’ve been nice to have him for one more year, but it’s very tough to turn down a first-round draft grade, especially when he will probably go in the lottery.

What does Rick Barnes have to do know with Ament gone

Now that we know Ament is officially gone, Rick Barnes has an obvious move to make, and it’s to put the full-court press on Juke Harris. The former Wake Forest wing would fill in perfectly for ament. He averaged over 20 points per game last year in the ACC, making him one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, all while playing in a difficult conference.

Tennessee is right in the mix for him, but he will probably test the NBA waters before coming back to college. If Rick Barnes can pull this off, it would be a more than adequate replacement for Ament. The valves already have four stud players on the roster from the portal in Dai Dai Ames, Terrence Hill Jr., Jalen Haralson, and Tyler Lundblade. Put Harris in that group and Tennessee has potentially the No. 1 ranked team in the preseason poll. The roster haul would be that good.

There is still a little bit of time until Harris will make his decision based on reports, but if Tennessee can seal the deal whenever the time is right, it will be a game-changer. 

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