2023 NBA Draft Thread

[liam]

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!

Julian Strawther!!!!

[Moranis]

Good to know that at least 1 team understands how to create and use TPE's.  Congrats to Dallas.  That is how it is done.

[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!

I’m expecting to see ‘STRAWTHERRRRRR’ in threads

We'll see...

[CelticSooner]

Late firsts are the least valuable picks in the league because they are fully guaranteed money. You are throwing a dart at a board most of the time anyways this late.

Hopefully the C’s do plan to use the MLE because that means they aren’t getting cheap.

[celticinorlando]

Think they go for a Grant Williams replacement with 31.

Agree. Or Rupert to fill the defensive void of smart

[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.

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.

I mean ya, pretty much. If the only benefit for letting grant walk is luxury tax savings and getting to use the 5 million Tax MLE vs a vet minimum of about 3 million then I'd be pretty disapointed if they let Grant Walk.

If anything the savings of about 700K in moving from 25 to 31 might be more about planning to match a grant contract becasue once you are that deep into the tax every bit you can save helps.

[Roy H.]

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.

Keeping Grant would also put us in a financial jam in future seasons.  We can't just presume that he'd be easily moveable.

[liam]

The Pacers grabbed Strawther and Sheppard...

[Ilikesports17]

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

I mean, surely he steps into the guard rotation. No?

[gouki88]

All 3 of my guys are available. Gun to my head, TJD is my guy.

[CFAN38]

Draft GG Jackson at #31, use future 2nd(s) to more back into draft target Miller, TJD, Kobe Brown, Walsh, or Phillips 

[footey]

How many 2nds are we getting from Detroit?  If they keep stinking theylll be like late first round picks.

[celticinorlando]

TJD
Rupert
Jackson jr
Miller

One of those works

[knuckleballer]

Leonard Miller, Rupert, and Cissoko are the guys I’m excited about here, but I’m expecting someone I’ve never heard of.  Or another trade.

[Atzar]

Several very intriguing options available here.  Of course, there’s always the backup option of trading down with the ultimate goal of owning every second rounder in 2031.

(There’s a certain chaotic part of me that wishes somebody would try that…)