Could the Celtics draft 3 Wildcats?

The NBA Draft is less than a month away, and draft analysts are churning out new mock drafts almost daily.

As is the case nearly every year, the Kentucky Wildcats are projected to have multiple players selected in the first round of this year’s draft. The three Wildcats expected to be taken within the first 30 picks of this year’s draft are Keldon Johnson, PJ Washington, and Tyler Herro.

With a few teams having multiple first round selections, it isn’t impossible that two of these players become teammates in the NBA.

However, in Bleacher Report’s latest Mock Draft, all three Kentucky projected first rounders have the same destination.

Could the Boston Celtics become the Boston Wildcats?

Bleacher Report thinks so.

Their latest mock draft has the Celtics using all three of their first round selections on former Wildcats.

The draft sees PJ Washington come off the board first as the draft’s 14th overall pick, which would assure John Calipari gets yet another one of his players selected in the lottery.

Here’s what was said about Washington:

“Washington took a sizable step forward this season. Though a lack of explosion and shot-creating skill hint at a lower ceiling, the Celtics could detect value in the middle of the first round for his high floor and fit.”

Next up is Tyler Herro. The shooting guard is projected as the 20th overall pick by Boston with their draft pick from the Clippers.

According to Bleacher Report, Herro would fit their need for a shooter.

“The Celtics could always use shooters to surround their core scorers, and Herro is bound to wow during workouts with his textbook form and effortless range.”

Finally, with the 22nd pick, Keldon Johnson is projected to go to Boston with their original selection. Johnson began his freshman season at Kentucky as a top 10 pick, but up and down play throughout the year lowered his stock to the end of the first round. Despite this, bleacher report likes his potential.

“With questions about Johnson’s ball-handling and shooting but promise tied to his downhill scoring ability, set shots, and defensive potential, he figures to earn consideration in the tier that follows the lottery. Even if his ceiling is limited, he’d give Boston a tough competitor—though it’s also possible the Celtics trade their third first-rounder.”

For Kentucky fans who don’t currently have an alliance to an NBA franchise, if this mock were to come true there would be a clear bandwagon to jump on as the Celtics could basically rename themselves to the Wildcats.

Now here’s a look at Bleacher Report’s projections for how the lottery selections will shake out:

1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Duke Blue Devils
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, Murray State Racers
3. New York Knicks: RJ Barrett, Duke Blue Devils
4. Los Angeles Lakers: Darius Garland, Vanderbilt Commodores
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cam Reddish, Duke Blue Devils
6. Phoenix Suns: De’Andre Hunter, Virginia Cavaliers
7. Chicago Bulls: Colby White, North Carolina Tar Heels
8. Atlanta Hawks: Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech Red Raiders
9. Washington Wizards: Jaxson Hayes, Texas Longhorns
10. Atlanta Hawks: Sekou Doumbouya, France
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga Bulldogs
12. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga Bulldogs
13. Miami Heat: Nassir Little, North Carolina Tar Heels
14. PJ Washington, Kentucky Wildcats