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Post by Admin on Apr 5, 2023 10:36:57 GMT -5
Celtics may land elite second round pick
... there is still a chance the team could land an elite second-round selection depending on where a conditional pick from the Houston Rockets lands based on the final few days of the regular season.
This conditional 2023 second-round pick from Houston is top-32 protected and currently, the Rockets are projected to land right at No. 32 based on their record (20-60). The Celtics got some surprise hope that this selection could fall to No. 33 (allowing them to acquire it) on Tuesday night when the Rockets upset the Nuggets.
That victory pulled Houston within a half-game of the San Antonio Spurs (20-59) in the lottery standings. One more Houston win in their final two games (@ Charlotte, @ Washington) could pull the Rockets ahead of the Spurs and give the Celtics a top tier second-round pick in the process. It’s also possible the Spurs and Rockets both lose out which would lead to a tie between the two teams and ultimately a 50/50 shot that Boston ends up with the No. 33 selection.
The good news for Brad Stevens is that the team will still be getting a quality second-round pick even if the Rockets’ selection isn’t headed their way. The team also owns the Blazers second-round pick, which has been free-falling in recent weeks once Portland elected to shut down Damian Lillard and several other rotation players.
Currently, that pick stands at No. 35 overall although it could fall anywhere between No. 35-39 based on how the final standings shake out. If Boston does get the Rockets’ pick (No. 33 or worse), the C’s will send their Blazers pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the terms of the deal to acquire Mike Muscala back at the trade deadline.
If the Rockets’ pick does not convey to Boston, they will keep the Blazers’ pick and send a late second-round pick (Miami’s) to the Thunder to complete the deal.
Whatever selection the Celtics end up with will be worth monitoring since it will be the highest pick that the team has had in the Brad Stevens era.
33. San Antonio Spurs: Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana, PF/C, Senior)
Improved passing, short-range creation and shot-blocking have helped reshape Jackson-Davis' image as an outdated post scorer. While the senior figures to still find himself with a second-round grade on most boards, it wouldn't be surprising if some teams saw an NBA big worth taking in the 20s.
34. Charlotte Hornets: Ricky Council IV (Arkansas, SG/SF, Freshman)
Council averaged 18.7 points against Connecticut, Kanas and Illinois in the NCAA tournament, getting to the line a total of 32 times and earning buckets off his ball-handling, burst, tough finishing and explosion at the rim. A team in the first-round may be willing to bet on just moderate shooting improvement and what it could do for his scoring attack.
35. Boston Celtics (via Blazers): Noah Clowney (Alabama, PF/C, Freshman)
The idea of a potential stretch 4 or 5 who rebounds and blocks shots will earn Clowney first-round looks. But at this point, he's just an idea, likely a few seasons away from potentially providing consistent shooting or offense.
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Post by kdp59 on Apr 6, 2023 7:24:14 GMT -5
so we should have Portland's pick and our own pick ( 55-58?) then?
I still think trading that early second along with Pritchard to move into the first round ( Indiana and Utah both have THREE firsts this year I believe), might make some sense.
IF a player like K. Filipowski is one the board, he could make a lot of sense going after there.
25. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Kyle Filipowski (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)
For a 7-footer, three-point range, face-up moves, post skill and defensive mobility have earned Filipowski first-round grades. Inconsistent shooting and separation trouble against athleticism/length will keep lottery teams from reaching.
the late second could be a draft and stash OR the new third two-way player next season.
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Post by kdp59 on Apr 6, 2023 7:31:12 GMT -5
looks like our own second rounder is going to Washington I guess.
so ONE pick ( Portland's) is likely then?
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Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2023 2:49:58 GMT -5
Actually, we need the Rockets to beat the Wiz on Sunday or the Spurs to lose to The Wolves on Saturday and the Mavs on Sunday. If that happens we get the Rockets pick at #33, Portland's (#37 now?) and the Heats late 2nd Rd as well. We keep the higher of the three and would send to OKC (for Musala) Portland's if we get the Rockets pick but if we don't then we keep Portland's and send OKC the Heat's pick. So we have at least 1 pick and possibly a 2nd depending on the outcome of the standings with Rockets/SAS.
If the Rockets/Spurs end in a tie then we have a 50/50 chance of getting #33 ...
Admin Update: Spurs lost to Wolves today so part I is complete. The Spurs and Rockets are tied with each team having 1 game left to be played tomorrow (Sunday). If they both win or lose then the C's will have a 50% chance of getting pick #33. Conversely, if one team wins and the other loses then the C's will live or die with the team that is victorious ... so root for the Rockets to beat the Wiz on Sunday and the Spurs to lose to the Mavs. All games (Celtics included) are scheduled for 1PM or 3:30 PM.
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Post by Admin on Apr 8, 2023 13:46:18 GMT -5
I still think trading that early second along with Pritchard to move into the first round ( Indiana and Utah both have THREE firsts this year I believe), might make some sense.
Going with your "Cheap Ownership" theme: Brad will hesitate to move into the 1st round where contracts are much larger and guaranteed especially if he can get someone he likes in the 33-37 range. The new CBA will have a profound effect on luxury taxes and restrictions for teams that insist on going over imposed limits.
I can see them trading Pritchard for another wing since it's unlikely that Champagnie will be developed enough to fill in for either Brown or Tatum. McDaniels would have been nice so maybe they can find somebody like that with a team in need of a guard. We could lose Grant, though I doubt he gets much more than C's are willing to offer, and Muscala was brought in to fill Gallo's shoes and Gallo is due to come back. Of course we don't yet know how effective Gallo may be and he could be traded before the deadline if need be. So we have questionable contracts in Gallo, Muscala, Grant and Pritchard.
Maybe a few of those are combined for a trade ... we will need to replace Horford soon enough and a better backup for Rob is still a priority unless you're happy with Kornet & Blake. Kabengele has potential but he's more PF than C. He may be out of 2-way options and will need to be given an NBA contract if we intend to keep him which I assume is the case since Brad let Samanic walk.
Alright ... I'm rambling now and my intent was to respond to combining Pritchard with a 2nd rd pick to move up into round 1 and I just don't see Brad doing that.
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Post by Admin on Apr 9, 2023 23:17:23 GMT -5
Spurs & Rockets both won today ending the season with identical records of 22-60 so the C's will have a 50% chance to get the #33 pick when the League tosses the coin.
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Post by cole on Apr 10, 2023 4:06:59 GMT -5
So Spurs & Rockets both won today ending the season with identical records of 22-60 so the C's will have a 50% chance to get the #33 pick when the League tosses the coin. All of Maine holds its breath in anticipation
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Post by puddin on Apr 10, 2023 5:56:54 GMT -5
So Spurs & Rockets both won today ending the season with identical records of 22-60 so the C's will have a 50% chance to get the #33 pick when the League tosses the coin. All of Maine holds its breath in anticipation Maine might be feeling lucky indeed.... could be another #33 (retired) in the franchise pipeline.
Look out world!
Pud
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Post by Admin on Apr 10, 2023 14:43:27 GMT -5
How Blazers tank helps Celtics land top tier second round pick By Brian Robb |
The Celtics will have a good chance to bolster their roster in the NBA Draft this June after getting some favorable results on the final day of the regular season.
Boston won’t know until the NBA Draft Lottery next month exactly where they will be picking in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft but they will end up with a top-35 second-round pick no matter how things play out. Let’s take a closer look at what happened on Sunday and how it pertains to Boston’s draft picks in June.
Rockets win on Sunday gives Celtics a 50/50 chance at landing No. 33 pick
The Celtics own a conditional 2023 second-round pick from Houston that is top-32 protected from a trade made back in 2020. Houston was among the worst teams in the NBA all year long but a three-game winning streak to end the year including a victory over the Wizards on Sunday pushed their record up to 22-60. That puts them in a tie with the Spurs (22-60) for the second-worst record in the NBA.
For now, the Celtics will have to wait to see whether they will receive the No. 33 pick depending on how the NBA Draft Lottery unfolds since that lottery result will determine the second-round draft order for San Antonio and Houston to break their tie for both rounds of the draft.
Essentially, if the Rockets finish higher in the draft order than San Antonio in the lottery (i.e. their first round pick), they get the worst second-round pick than the Spurs (No. 33), which they would send to Boston. If the Spurs end up high in the lottery, the Rockets get the better second-round pick (No. 32) and the Celtics get shut out since that pick is top-32 protected.
These scenarios should lead to some casual interest from Celtics fans on lottery night. Essentially, rooting for the Rockets to finish higher than the Spurs in the lottery is what matters here for Boston since that will lead them to land the No. 33 overall pick. However, there will be a nice consolation prize if they don’t land that selection thanks to Portland.
Blazers tank ensures Celtics land No. 35 pick or better
The Celtics also own the 2023 second-round pick from the Blazers, acquired back in August 2021 in the deal where they sent Tristan Thompson for the Kings. How the Celtics managed to get a second-round pick for Thompson remains a mystery (a savvy move by Brad Stevens to be sure) but it turns out, that selection is going to be quite the good one after Portland went into full tank mode during the last month of the regular season. The Blazers lost nine of their last 10 games, dropping them outright to the fifth worst record in the league at 33-49 after being in playoff contention for much of the year.
That development ensures that the Celtics will pick at least No. 35 or higher in this year’s draft. The Portland pick could still be sent to Oklahoma City to complete the Mike Muscala trade but that only happens if the Celtics get the No. 33 overall pick from Houston. Essentially, the Celtics have to send their worst 2023 second-round pick to OKC to complete the Muscala deal so that leads to two different possibilities a draft time.
Celtics potential draft pick scenarios for 2023
*Celtics keep No. 33 pick (from HOU), send No. 35 pick to OKC to complete Mike Muscala trade
*Celtics don’t get Rockets’ pick, team keeps the No. 35 pick (from POR) and sends a different second round pick (No. 48 via MIA) to OKC to complete Mike Muscala deal
Either way, the Celtics will have the No. 33 or No. 35 overall pick on draft night, putting them in a position to add some young talent after trading away their last three first-round picks away for Al Horford (2021), Derrick White (2022) and Malcolm Brogdon (2023).
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 13:57:10 GMT -5
2023 NBA Draft Tiebreaker Resultsby Dana Gauruder
Tiebreakers among teams with identical regular-season records were broken on Monday through random drawings to determine the order for this year’s draft prior to the lottery. The results of the drawings were as follows: The Rockets (No. 2) won a tiebreaker with the Spurs (No. 3). Note: The lottery odds remain the same for both teams. The Rockets will draft ahead of the Spurs if neither lands in the top four.
The Pacers (No. 7) won a tiebreaker with the Wizards (No. 8). Note: The Pacers will get one more lottery ball combination (out of 1,000) than the Wizards.
The Bulls (No. 11) won a tiebreaker with the Thunder (No. 12). Note: The Bulls will get one more lottery ball combination (out of 1,000) than the Thunder. Chicago’s pick will be conveyed to the Magic if it doesn’t move into the top four.
The Heat (No. 18) won a tiebreaker with the Warriors (No. 19, who won a tiebreaker with the Clippers (No. 20). Note: The Clippers’ pick will be conveyed to the Rockets.
The Suns (No. 21) won a tiebreaker with the Nets (No. 22). Note: The result is negligible for the first round, since the Suns’ pick was traded to the Nets.
The Grizzlies (No. 25) won a tiebreaker with the Cavaliers (No. 26). Note: The Cavaliers’ pick will be conveyed to the Pacers. In the case of tiebreakers, second round order is the reverse of first round order except for the lottery teams. In that case, the second-round order could still change, depending on which team finishes higher in the lottery.
The tiebreaker between the Rockets and Spurs didn’t decide which team gets the Rockets’ second-round pick, which is top-32 protected. It will be conveyed to either the Pacers or Celtics once the lottery is conducted.
Admin Note: So on draft day, if one team makes it into the top 4 of the lottery, the loser picks ahead of the winner in round 2 - so C's fans want the Spurs to be picked ahead of the Rockets but if neither makes the top 4 then Rockets select ahead on Spurs in rd 1 meaning that the Spurs would pick ist in rd 2 and the C's would lose the #32 pick and then retain #35
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Post by kdp59 on Apr 19, 2023 17:22:15 GMT -5
makes my head hurt....LOL.
either way #32 or #35 is about the same. Scratch my idea of traded our second with Pritchard for a late first in this case.
Guess we'll have to keep PP around for one more year.
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Post by kdp59 on Apr 29, 2023 6:49:00 GMT -5
some possible draft picks of interest?
Adam Zagoria: Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe has workouts scheduled with Boston, Milwaukee, Houston, and Sacramento w/ more to follow, per a league source. Returning to @kentuckymbb remains an option for last year’s National Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/PeCYSNrGTi 19 hours ago – via Twitter AdamZagoria
Neil Meyer: Looks like former Bearcat @landers Nolley had a workout for the Boston Celtics this afternoon per his IG Story.
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Post by Admin on May 13, 2023 12:33:57 GMT -5
If still on the board, this Int'l Center could be just what the C's need as security behind Horford & Williams III ...
C - James Nnaji
6'10"225 lbs NGR 3 POS RK 24 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Feb. 4, 2023
Playing for Barcelona, currently in first place in the Spanish ACB and third in the EuroLeague, minutes haven't been easy to come by for 18-year-old Nnaji in his team's stacked frontcourt rotation.
Two recent starting nods in domestic league play have allowed NBA scouts to get a deeper look at the chiseled 6-11 Nigerian with a 7-4 wingspan, and he responded by posting 32 points and eight rebounds in 43 minutes of action on near-perfect 13-for-14 shooting, leaving one to wonder how productive he would be in a situation with more consistent playing time. Nnaji's virtues are readily obvious at first glance, as he's one of the most physically gifted prospects in this draft class, blessed with incredible quickness getting off his feet for dunks and blocks, and outstanding mobility running the floor and covering ground defensively. He draws quite a few fouls with his enviable combination of speed, power and explosiveness, putting pressure on opposing defenses every time he rolls to the basket and offering a significant vertical spacing target with his improving hands and huge catch radius.
Nnaji is also making subtle improvement as the season continues with his passing and ability to take slower defenders off the dribble in a straight line with huge strides, things that are very much a work in progress due to his average skill level but are still encouraging to see considering his lack of experience.
Nnaji only started playing basketball in July 2016 and moved to Ratgeber Basketball Academy in Hungary off a Facebook post he made following the Giants of Africa camp in 2018. He spent two years in Hungary before moving to Barcelona in August 2020, progressing through the ranks of their junior teams and the Spanish fifth division to carve out the role he has now.
Nnaji's processing speed and awareness on both ends of the floor are still a work in progress, but the fact that he can make the impact he does on both ends of the floor mostly off his tools gives him plenty of upside to grow into as the game slows down for him. With his minutes likely to be inconsistent for the remainder of the season and Barcelona's schedule through the month of June likely preventing him from conducting private workouts with NBA teams, getting a firm handle on Nnaji's draft stock won't be easy, but he's done well to solidify his candidacy as a first-round prospect with the opportunities he's received thus far. -- Jonathan Givony
Nov. 7, 2022
Competing at a higher level than any prospect in this draft class, minutes haven't always been easy to come by for Nnaji in the EuroLeague and Spanish ACB with Barcelona, one of the best teams in European basketball. After not playing in many of its first games, the past five contests have seen a steady uptick in opportunities for Nnaji (averaging 13 minutes), which has coincided with small but steady improvement that has to be considered promising for NBA scouts monitoring his progress as he enters his first year of draft eligibility.
Nnaji is one of the most physically gifted players in this class, blessed with a chiseled frame even by NBA standards and quickness covering ground and getting off his feet for offensive rebounds, dunks and blocks. While those areas constitute the bulk of his intrigue and are highly in demand for a role-playing center tasked with anchoring a defense and finishing plays after being spoon-fed around the basket, he has shown some minor flashes to suggest there's more there.
Nnaji had several strong drives in a EuroLeague game against Milan last week that you wouldn't expect to see from a raw big man in his mold, taking former NBA player Brandon Davies off the dribble from beyond the 3-point line and finishing with an impressive slow-down move after getting to the rim off a single dribble thanks to his long, powerful strides. He also has utilized shot fakes, flip shots and off-hand hooks that weren't in his repertoire at this point last season. And he has made some simple passes out of the post, which is encouraging to see considering how limited he was previously.
Nnaji still crushes the rim every time he catches the ball in the vicinity of the basket with his incredible power elevating off two feet. And he is a major presence setting screens and rolling to the rim out of the pick-and-roll, even if he isn't quite as reliable catching lobs considering his projected role due to his just decent hands and awareness tracking balls in the air.
He still has a long way to go before he can be considered a real offensive player -- as evidenced by his career 44% free throw rate, which hasn't improved this season. He is very mistake-prone at times, being called for moving screens, blatant push-offs and other unforced errors. And it's generally an adventure anytime he needs to make a decision with the ball, so we'll have to see how his recent uptick in productivity translates for the rest of the season.
Where Nnaji could be special is on the defensive end; he makes a huge impact with his combination of length, strength and mobility, especially switching onto guards on the perimeter, sliding his feet and being extremely difficult to shoot over. He turns his hips exceptionally well to cover ground, get back into plays and protect the rim, averaging an excellent 3.3 blocks per 40 minutes in the EuroLeague and ACB, which makes him one of the best players in both leagues in that category so far this season. He has room to grow here too, especially with his reaction time, technique and processing speed, which at times put him behind on plays both in getting schooled one-on-one by older and wilier players and being late and out of position more than you'd like to see off the ball. He is not a good defensive rebounder and is a little more mistake-prone than you'd like, but the intensity he plays with, the exceptional physical ability he possesses and the way he covers ground and gets off his feet for blocks already makes him a significant deterrent at this level of competition, which is extremely impressive considering his lack of experience.
Overall, Nnaji seems to be making slow but steady progress, and it's no surprise he is seeing an uptick in minutes considering the way he impacts the game on both ends of the floor. There are only a handful of players in this draft who would have a chance to see playing time for Barcelona coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and hold their own in the highly tactical EuroLeague and ACB, and it's certainly possible that the more unscripted and free-flowing NBA game could actually suit Nnaji much better. -- Jonathan Givony
Oct. 4, 2022
Nnaji has seen just six total minutes of action for Barcelona in their first four cup and league games, as he's currently buried on their depth chart behind some of the best big men in Europe in Jan Vesely, Mike Tobey, Sertac Sanli and Oscar da Silva. Should the situation continue, a loan to a smaller ACB team might be the ideal situation for Nnaji to get playing time and show why he's deemed to have lottery-level upside with his outstanding physical tools, shot-blocking and finishing ability, but it's not clear how quickly Barcelona would be willing to let him go considering the energy and physicality he brings to practice daily. -- Jonathan Givony
May 7, 2022
Nnaji is arguably the most NBA-ready prospect in this class from a physical perspective, standing 6-10, 245 pounds with a huge 7-7 wingspan and the type of frame that would make even a powerful big like Isaiah Stewart proud. He also has similar measurements to a young Bismack Biyombo. After a rapid ascension from Nigeria to Hungary and now to Barcelona, Nnaji was a surprise success for the Spanish powerhouse this season, logging over 150 Euroleague and Spanish ACB minutes in his debut season under hard-nosed head coach and former NBA guard arūnas Jasikevičius.
Nnaji is still improving his offensive decision-making, perimeter defense and ability to play without fouling, but he's an elite offensive rebounder, an excellent rim-protector (4 blocks per 40 minutes in ACB play) and the type of highly regarded worker who should continue to improve. While his ceiling might be limited somewhat by his shortcomings as a half-court scorer or offensive hub, he has a clear role as an offensive-rebounding, shot-blocking center who has the agility to eventually add value defending the perimeter, as we've seen from Stewart with the Pistons. -- ESPN
Jan. 21, 2022
The best international big in this class (after Wembanyama) is Barcelona's James Nnaji, a Nigerian-born center who wasn't considered an NBA prospect less than two years ago playing in Hungary yet is now earning minutes for a club that rarely hands them out to young prospects. At 6-10, 245 pounds with a reported 7-7 wingspan, huge hands and impressive mobility, Nnaji sports one of the most impressive physical profiles you'll see from any big-man prospect, with dimensions comparable to Bismack Biyombo. He's already putting his tools to good use, recently scoring 10 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and swatting 5 shots in 19 minutes in his ACB debut. We saw him live against Efes in Euroleague action, where he more than held his own in a limited role for the first place Spanish powerhouse. Nnaji is a high-energy rebounder with the motor and physicality of Isaiah Stewart yet far more potential as a rim protector and pick-and-roll defender. -- ESPN
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Post by kdp59 on May 13, 2023 18:17:35 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on May 15, 2023 19:34:49 GMT -5
Celtics potential draft pick scenarios
If Rockets finish ahead of Spurs in lottery
Celtics keep No. 33 pick (from HOU), send No. 35 pick (from POR) to OKC to complete Mike Muscala trade
If Spurs finish ahead of Rockets in lottery
Celtics don’t get Rockets pick, Celtics get No. 35 pick (from POR) and send different second round pick (No. 50 via MIA) to OKC to complete Mike Muscala trade
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Post by kdp59 on May 16, 2023 5:39:30 GMT -5
either way Boston needs to start hitting with these picks to fill out the roster in the future..
It would not surprise me to have whoever we pick early in the second AND Davison both on the main roster roster next year.
I doubt Stevens will be so quick to trade away future firsts from now on as well, the new CBA makes them more valuable to taxpaying teams than before.
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Post by Admin on May 16, 2023 19:56:30 GMT -5
So Spurs not only finish ahead of the Rockets (meaning C's don't get Rockets #32 draft protected pick but will have #35) but Spurs luck out and get #1 Pick and another "Duncan" opportunity to land Wembanyama.
Spurs just know how to tank with expertise, sell off their vets for multiple picks and rebuild faster than you can say "How'd Pop do that?"
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Post by kdp59 on May 17, 2023 7:36:24 GMT -5
OK since we are set at #35 pick now, IMO we should move Pritchard to Indiana for that #32 pick they have now.
they have THREE first round picks and a late second as well, so they may be willing to make that deal to get a sure NBA player in Pritchard (even on an expiring deal).
Boston then ends up with the #32 and #35 picks in this years draft.
my picks based on where players are projected right now would be:
one of Adem Bona- UCLA OR DaRon Holmes- Dayton
then one of Julian Strawther- Gonzaga or Amari Bailey-UCLA
with the other pick.
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Post by kdp59 on May 17, 2023 7:38:17 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on May 17, 2023 14:26:31 GMT -5
If picking #35 I want another frontcourt talent ... these two could be there and I'm moar than willing to take a chance that Mitchell can improve his offensive game enough to keep up with his defense & athleticism. Could be a long term steal and backup for Tatum or Brown!
34) Dillon Mitchell Texas (SF)6'9"180 lbs Texas 8 POS RK 34 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis:March 27, 2023 Mitchell played 13 minutes for Texas but showed some of the things that make an intriguing pro prospect with his combination of mobility, explosiveness, defensive instincts and finishing ability. He rotated for two monster weakside blocks, demonstrating his quickness covering ground and getting off his feet and ran the floor for two emphatic leakout lob finishes as well. After playing some of Mitchell's best minutes in some time, it was surprising to see Texas' best defender sitting down the stretch as the Longhorns were repeatedly gashed off the dribble by Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller. It was clear the coaching staff lost confidence in Mitchell offensively as the season wore on, electing to play Brock Cunningham (24 years old) and Christian Bishop (22) instead, something that likely lowered the team's ceiling. Mitchell ended the tournament shooting 3-for-3 from the field for six points in 45 minutes, and now has a difficult decision ahead for what his next move will be after a highly unproductive season that leaves question marks about what his role could be in the NBA. Mitchell will have a chance to rebuild his stock during the pre-draft process, but his experience at Texas appears to be a disappointment after the incredible promise he showed in other settings.-- Jonathan Givony March 14, 2023 Mitchell is in the midst of an extremely underwhelming season from a productivity standpoint, averaging 4.7 points and playing just 12 minutes per game over his past nine contests. Mitchell is a total non-factor for Texas' offense, as no player has ever been drafted sporting as small a usage rate (12.6%) as Mitchell, a number that has shrunk even more (10.6%) in conference play. To bet on Mitchell as a flier late in the first round or in the second round, a team would have to buy into Mitchell's pre-college sample, for which he showed considerably more promise as Montverde (Florida) Academy's second-leading scorer and had an outstanding spring on the high school all-star circuit. Mitchell's size, explosiveness, defensive versatility, youth and outstanding reviews he receives off the court are things NBA teams will study closely in the pre-draft process should he choose to enter, but it certainly wouldn't hurt for him to finish off the season on a strong note and try to remind people why he was such a highly regarded prospect in the first place.-- Jonathan Givony May 7, 2022 Mitchell's ascent has been remarkable, as he wasn't considered a top-100 caliber recruit a year ago but is now firmly in lottery consideration after transferring to Montverde Academy, having an outstanding senior year and then blowing NBA people away during the all-star game circuit, particularly in practices. Mitchell might be the most explosive athlete in the high school game, as it's hard to find players with his combination of quickness and leaping ability, allowing him to make a plethora of SportsCenter highlight reel-type plays on both ends of the floor.
More than just a dunker, Mitchell has increasingly been dropping impressive flashes of passing and touch inside the arc, even if his skill level still has a way to go. He makes up for the gap with the intensity and versatility he brings defensively, showing the ability to take on everyone from point guards to big men, and being a significant playmaker crashing the glass, getting into passing lanes and protecting the rim. Mitchell will need to continue to improve and show he can put the ball in the basket frequently enough to warrant this high of a ranking, but it's hard to find players with this type of long-term upside, especially now that he has grown to 6-9. -- Jonathan Givony
33) Trayce Jackson-Davis Indiana (PF)
6'9"245 lbs Indiana 6 POS RK 33 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis:
March 20, 2023
Jackson-Davis finished his All-America season with another gaudy stat line of 23 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in Indiana's loss to Miami, posting similar numbers in the first round against Kent State with five assists for good measure. There is no bigger mismatch in college with Jackson-Davis' ability to push off the defensive glass, pass out of short rolls, and slither around and score over defenders in the post with exquisite footwork and body control. His lack of physicality proved to be an issue at times on the interior and he still has some things to prove as a pick-and-roll defender with his inconsistent intensity level. But it's hard to find a big man with better basketball instincts and there certainly wasn't a more consistently versatile college player in terms of the various ways he fills up the stat sheet.
As a 6-9 center with no shooting range, Jackson-Davis' fit in the modern NBA is still somewhat peculiar. Teams who value skill and feel for the game will be attracted to Jackson-Davis' productivity and the considerable improvement he's shown over the past year, giving him a case to be drafted in the first round.-- Jonathan Givony
March 14, 2023
Jackson-Davis turned himself into an All-American and legit NBA prospect as a senior, leading Indiana in points, rebounds, assists and blocks. No other big man in college is more dangerous pushing the ball off the defensive glass, passing out of the post or creating out of dribble handoffs, giving him unique versatility projecting to the NBA game when paired with his impressive explosiveness off two feet and timing as a shot-blocker.
Jackson-Davis isn't a prototype for what the NBA is looking for from a big man. He lacks great size or length for the center position he exclusively plays and hasn't shown any floor-spacing potential in his four years of college, not making a single 3-pointer and shooting under 70% from the free throw line every season. Winning, producing and holding his own defensively are his best shots of convincing NBA teams he is worthy of guaranteed money on draft night, which is why helping the Hoosiers advance to the Sweet 16 would be huge for his standing.-- Jonathan Givony
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Post by kivancb on May 17, 2023 17:18:16 GMT -5
No combo guards please, if not a sure thing.
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Post by Admin on Jun 6, 2023 17:21:02 GMT -5
Celtics to Work Out Scoring Center With Northeast Ties By Matt John
With their offseason underway, the Boston Celtics are looking into draft prospects. Adam Zagoria of Forbes reported that they are one of the teams scheduled to work out center Patrick Gardner.
Former (Marist Men’s Basketball) C Patrick Gardner…has worked out for the Warriors, Nets & Magic & has workouts scheduled with the Wizards, Bucks, Cavaliers, Pelicans & Celtics,” Zagoria reported on his personal Twitter.
In his lone year at Marist, Gardner averaged 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and one block a game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.3% from three.
The Celtics own the No. 35 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but they have yet to draft a player since Brad Stevens took over as President of Basketball Operations in 2021. In his time since taking over, he has traded the Celtics’ last three first-round picks – 2021, 2022, 2023 – to acquire players in the Celtics rotation – Al Horford, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon.
Dorian Finney-Smith Named as Celtics Trade Target
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed a number of players the Celtics could look into trading for this summer, including Dorian Finney-Smith of the Nets. Buckley explained why it may or may not be hard for the Celtics to acquire Finney-Smith.
“It’s possible Dorian Finney-Smith will cost more than the Celtics can—or, at least, are willing to—give up in a trade. It’s also possible the Brooklyn Nets simply won’t let him go."
“But if neither of those things are true—Boston might sense a big enough need to justify paying a not insignificant price, and Brooklyn might be in the market for more assets—he’d be a home run get.”
Swartz added why Finney-Smith would fit well with the Celtics while adding that his downtick in three-point shooting this season was an anomaly.
“The 6’7”, 220-pounder is a tireless defender who can extinguish fiery scorers of nearly all sizes and play styles. He’s also a much better shooter than he showed this past season (33.7 percent, down from 38.9 the three seasons prior).
“Assuming the 30-year-old’s erratic shooting was just a one-year fluke, it could actually be a blessing in disguise since it might lower his trade cost.”
Acquiring Finney Smith would give the Celtics more wing depth, but getting him may require trading one of their rotation players, as the Nets are likely not going to give him up easily to a division rival.
Payton Pritchard Wants a Trade
With the details of the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement being released, The Athletic’s Jay King reported that guard Payton Pritchard wants a new home.
“With the new onerous CBA rules looming after next season, the front office will likely have to decide in the next 12 months whether it can afford its expensive veteran depth. Payton Pritchard has made it clear he hopes to be traded this summer, according to multiple team sources, so will the Celtics move him if they trade one of their core guards?”
Pritchard had a smaller role with the Celtics this season compared to last. Whether he gets traded or not may very well depend on if the Celtics plan to keep all three of Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon.
heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/nba-draft-work-out-patrick-gardner/
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Post by Admin on Jun 9, 2023 12:11:31 GMT -5
Emoni Bates, Eastern Michigan
(Joel Bissell | MLive.com)
19 years old, 6-foot-8 wing, 179 pounds. 2022-23 stats: 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.
Here’s an interesting name in that even casual fans will at least recognize who Bates is because of the hype coming out of college. The former top prospect tumbled after his lone season at Memphis, but he scored well after building his draft stock up somewhat at his hometown school in Eastern Michigan. There are still flaws, but the talent and potential are also still there.
Bates has played the last two seasons in college, but he reclassified so he doesn’t turn 20 until next January. If the Celtics are looking to take a swing on a wing, then Bates could be that option. Realistically, he’ll need to add weight and some seasoning once he gets to the pros. But at this point in his career, he’s an intriguing prospect.
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Post by Admin on Jun 16, 2023 22:38:26 GMT -5
PART I or III
Jeff Goodman made 3 suggestions for the C's at #35: Pushing shooters since ours haven't been good enough - Bates is a sniper who hardly misses according to Jeff. At 15 yrs old he made the cover of Sports Illustrated but never gelled with his college team (Memphis) until he transferred back home (E Mich) but by then he had been forgotten. The Ringer has him going to the Bucks at #58 ... maybe we should get another 2nd Rd Pick as this is Goodman's 3rd option and a high risk play with a high ceiling if he pans out. Listen to the podcast link below for more details ...
Draft talk here at the 24 minute mark:
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Post by Admin on Jun 16, 2023 22:42:14 GMT -5
PART II
Attachments:
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