2023 NBA Draft Thread

[keevsnick]

TBH I don't really think the ability to use the tax payer MLE has much to do with this trade. For one thing the MLE is only worth 5.0 million, so its barely more than just a vet min salary under this new CBA. Also that presupposes that Grant is allowed to walk for nothing, and I'm not convinced yet that's going to be the case.

This could very easily just be an asset play. Move back six spots, pick up a few future seconds. That sort of trade happens all the time.

[Celtics2021]

Anyone have strong feelings on Rayan Rupert?

Not gonna pretend I've watched one second of his play, but his scouting report sounds pretty intriguing. Elite defender with a bad jumper, but good free throw shooting, touch and form suggest he could turn it into a strength if he puts the work in.

Celtics2021 is a big fan!

He’s my binkie! Two more picks to sweat out!  He totally feels like a Denver pick to me so I’m nervous!

[Ilikesports17]

Sassers gonna be the next Desmond Bane. This one will come back to bite us.

I’m pretty confident that this prediction will be wrong.  Marcus Sasser will be lucky to get his year 4 option picked up.

I hope you’re right. What I hear about Sasser is that he is a incredibly hard worker and fierce competitor. Those kind of guys translate really well to the league. Plus he’s a really good shooter.

I like Sasser, but see him as a low ceiling guy. Although I thought the same about Bane.

He's a good defender, but he's too small to defend NBA wings. He's a good scorer, but not athletic enough to get to the rim against NBA defenses. He's not a terrible passer, but he's not a good enough passer to play point.

[Roy H.]

Almost time again

Another trade coming? 

Maybe we can trade back to #35.

[celticinorlando]

Please Brad… Jackson jr.

[theswitch]

Surprised at negative reaction here to that trade. I'm not sure I understand the cap stuff but if this gets us a $5M veteran, it's 100% worth it. The talent drop-off between 25 and 31 is...marginal at best, if not zero. Pick up some extra room to get a real player without actually losing anything. I get maybe Julian Strawther is your guy or something but the chances are so low that we lost something moving down a couple slots.

[perks-a-beast]

Would love to use this MLE on Josh Richardson

Nah. Think we can get a better player.

Really? JRich is an ideal 3 and D wing fit off the bench for us and played well for us when here. Don't think you're getting much better for the TMLE.

I think people really need to temper their expectations in regards to this TMLE. What it can realistically Net is are guys like Kendrick Nunn, Lonnie walker, Seth Cirry…no one whose really gonna move the needle that much.

[knuckleballer]

Why are we getting a $5 mil tax payer MLE by making this trade?

Celtics should be in range to use the $5M Taxpayer MLE after they trade Marcus Sasser to the Pistons and drop out of the #25 pick.

https://twitter.com/keithsmithnba/status/1672074552271159297?s=46&t=RcQxS02XUMyksuUGxn_LbQ

Is that because our payroll will now be projected to be just under an apron?

Yes.

Thanks. TP for you and JSD.

[Celtics2021]

TBH I don't really think the ability to use the tax payer MLE has much to do with this trade. For one thing the MLE is only worth 5.0 million, so its barely more than just a vet min salary under this new CBA. Also that presupposes that Grant is allowed to walk for nothing, and I'm not convinced yet that's going to be the case.

This could very easily just be an asset play. Move back six spots, pick up a few future seconds. That sort of trade happens all the time.

That’s my feeling.  The only benefit of staying below the second apron this year is that you get a $5 million MLE.  Grant is superior, and keeping him would put the Celtics at a similar payroll as last season.

[vjcsmoke]

Normally I'd say that the 2nd round is a crapshoot but... Nikola Jokic got taken in the 2nd round and he just LED his team to a championship.

So it would be wise not to underestimate the talent that you could pick up here.  #31 is the cream of the crop of the 2nd round.

So what sleeper will we be picking up?  Really wondering if there might have been a pre-draft agreement and Brad just knows this guy is going to fall to him in the 2nd?

[liam]

Surprised at negative reaction here to that trade. I'm not sure I understand the cap stuff but if this gets us a $5M veteran, it's 100% worth it. The talent drop-off between 25 and 31 is...marginal at best, if not zero. Pick up some extra room to get a real player without actually losing anything. I get maybe Julian Strawther is your guy or something but the chances are so low that we lost something moving down a couple slots.

Julian Strawther is my guy!

[Celtics2021]

Anyone have strong feelings on Rayan Rupert?

Not gonna pretend I've watched one second of his play, but his scouting report sounds pretty intriguing. Elite defender with a bad jumper, but good free throw shooting, touch and form suggest he could turn it into a strength if he puts the work in.

Celtics2021 is a big fan!

He’s my binkie! Two more picks to sweat out!  He totally feels like a Denver pick to me so I’m nervous!

Sorry to those who had Strawther as their binkie, but give me Rupert!

[celticinorlando]

Going to be interesting to see what happens with PP going forward

[PAOBoston]

Think they go for a Grant Williams replacement with 31.

[gouki88]

Surprised at negative reaction here to that trade. I'm not sure I understand the cap stuff but if this gets us a $5M veteran, it's 100% worth it. The talent drop-off between 25 and 31 is...marginal at best, if not zero. Pick up some extra room to get a real player without actually losing anything. I get maybe Julian Strawther is your guy or something but the chances are so low that we lost something moving down a couple slots.

Julian Strawther is my guy!

I’m expecting to see ‘STRAWTHERRRRRR’ in threads