Thornton in Australia

[greece66]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

He can't play in Maine, we have too many guys under contract, Maine players count against 15 if they are under contract with the parent club.

We could always release him and he could be signed by the Red Claws; but then any team could sign him. It was always a long shot that he would ever really be a C.

There is a ton of players that were selected near where MT was selected [nr 45] and finally made it in the NBA.

The other Marcus Thornton was selected at 43.

Actually most players selected in the 40s make it in the NBA and some of them even made solid careers.

What is more, the 2015 draft was a particularly good and deep class, it is fair to say that in 2014 or 2016 MT might have been drafted in the 30s.

I'm not saying that MT will defo make it in the NBA, but it is far too early to write him off. I expect him to get a better chance from the C's next season.

[Denis998]

doesnt seem that those stats will cut it in the NBA, less than 2 assists a game as well.

[saltlover]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

He can't play in Maine, we have too many guys under contract, Maine players count against 15 if they are under contract with the parent club.

He could sign a D-league contract with Maine, and not be a Celtic.  He'd just get paid the regular D-league salary instead of an NBA salary (which is a huge difference in dollars.) There have been a few players who've done this over the years, most notably Josh Huestis last year with OKC.

[Denis998]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

He can't play in Maine, we have too many guys under contract, Maine players count against 15 if they are under contract with the parent club.

He could sign a D-league contract with Maine, and not be a Celtic.  He'd just get paid the regular D-league salary instead of an NBA salary (which is a huge difference in dollars.) There have been a few players who've done this over the years, most notably Josh Huestis last year with OKC.

isn't he better off roaming the land of international play because the salary's in the dleague is around 20k? I'm not sure what time periods international leagues play.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

He can't play in Maine, we have too many guys under contract, Maine players count against 15 if they are under contract with the parent club.

He could sign a D-league contract with Maine, and not be a Celtic.  He'd just get paid the regular D-league salary instead of an NBA salary (which is a huge difference in dollars.) There have been a few players who've done this over the years, most notably Josh Huestis last year with OKC.

Why would we do that though? We knew when we drafted him he was going overseas, why dump him when he is doing exactly what we used a pick for? I'm sure we would just keep him overseas like Colton until we see if he is worth bringing back. Expect to see him in training camp next season if he isn't traded or something.

[Adelaide Celt]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

14.8 points per game, 15th overall in the NBL. In an 8 team league that's really nothing to write home about for an NBA draftee.

Pretty underwhelming season from Thornton and if he ever sees the court in a Celtics uniform I'd be very worried.

[saltlover]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

He can't play in Maine, we have too many guys under contract, Maine players count against 15 if they are under contract with the parent club.

He could sign a D-league contract with Maine, and not be a Celtic.  He'd just get paid the regular D-league salary instead of an NBA salary (which is a huge difference in dollars.) There have been a few players who've done this over the years, most notably Josh Huestis last year with OKC.

Why would we do that though? We knew when we drafted him he was going overseas, why dump him when he is doing exactly what we used a pick for? I'm sure we would just keep him overseas like Colton until we see if he is worth bringing back. Expect to see him in training camp next season if he isn't traded or something.

It'd be the same thing as Colton except he'd be in Maine.  Draftees who have not agreed to a contract with their drafted team (i.e. The Celtics) can sign in any professional league they'd like.  Some choose the D-league because they think it gives them a better chance to make the NBA.  The Celtics would retain his draft rights, same as if he signed in Europe, China, or Australia.

Most players don't do this because the D-league pays less than most other leagues, but Australia doesn't pay a ton, so it's not as bad.

[alldaboston]

http://wydaily.com/2016/01/02/sports-sydney-kings-rookie-tribe-alumnus-marcus-thornton-among-nbls-top-scorers/

I know Thornton got off to a slow start but now he's among NBL's top scorers. Next month he'll probably be in Maine.

14.8 points per game, 15th overall in the NBL. In an 8 team league that's really nothing to write home about for an NBA draftee.

Pretty underwhelming season from Thornton and if he ever sees the court in a Celtics uniform I'd be very worried.

Not sure if anyone expects him to see the court in a Celtics uniform, ever. Lol

[Green-Bananas]

There is a ton of players that were selected near where MT was selected [nr 45] and finally made it in the NBA.

The other Marcus Thornton was selected at 43.

Actually most players selected in the 40s make it in the NBA and some of them even made solid careers.

What is more, the 2015 draft was a particularly good and deep class, it is fair to say that in 2014 or 2016 MT might have been drafted in the 30s.

I'm not saying that MT will defo make it in the NBA, but it is far too early to write him off. I expect him to get a better chance from the C's next season.

I agree, IT wasn't drafted until #60. Considering that MT went to W&M instead of a nationally
known division 1 program, and W&M has never made the NCAA tournament. I think 30's somewhere, is pretty fair.

What short minutes he got in the summer league behind Smart, Rozier, & RJ he played well
and has a confident shot. He could make it if he gets the right break.

But most of the others have already pointed out the obvious, even IF he gets a chance to prove
himself. The C's are so log-jammed at the point. Not to mention all the other picks that will be
coming in next year. 

[jambr380]

There is a ton of players that were selected near where MT was selected [nr 45] and finally made it in the NBA.

The other Marcus Thornton was selected at 43.

Actually most players selected in the 40s make it in the NBA and some of them even made solid careers.

What is more, the 2015 draft was a particularly good and deep class, it is fair to say that in 2014 or 2016 MT might have been drafted in the 30s.

I'm not saying that MT will defo make it in the NBA, but it is far too early to write him off. I expect him to get a better chance from the C's next season.

I agree, IT wasn't drafted until #60. Considering that MT went to W&M instead of a nationally
known division 1 program, and W&M has never made the NCAA tournament. I think 30's somewhere, is pretty fair.

What short minutes he got in the summer league behind Smart, Rozier, & RJ he played well
and has a confident shot. He could make it if he gets the right break.

But most of the others have already pointed out the obvious, even IF he gets a chance to prove
himself. The C's are so log-jammed at the point. Not to mention all the other picks that will be
coming in next year.

That was basically my point (the above is greece666's response to it). It's not like 2nd rounders don't ever make it in the NBA, it's just that the Celtics had four picks this past draft and at least as many this coming draft. Unfortunately for Thornton he was drafted by a team who had absolutely no need for him. It might have made more sense just to sell the pick for whatever cash they could get.

[Greyman]

Over the years many US players who were short of NBA level have made a very good living in Australia. A number have stayed to live and some have played for Australia. If MT takes to the Sydney/Australian life style and the NBA becomes a bridge too far he might want to settle.

I am not sure how he would go about sorting out his Celtics commitments, or if he is over having fans pour beer on him for no reason but he could make more here than with Maine I expect.

[Green-Bananas]

There is a ton of players that were selected near where MT was selected [nr 45] and finally made it in the NBA.

The other Marcus Thornton was selected at 43.

Actually most players selected in the 40s make it in the NBA and some of them even made solid careers.

What is more, the 2015 draft was a particularly good and deep class, it is fair to say that in 2014 or 2016 MT might have been drafted in the 30s.

I'm not saying that MT will defo make it in the NBA, but it is far too early to write him off. I expect him to get a better chance from the C's next season.

I agree, IT wasn't drafted until #60. Considering that MT went to W&M instead of a nationally
known division 1 program, and W&M has never made the NCAA tournament. I think 30's somewhere, is pretty fair.

What short minutes he got in the summer league behind Smart, Rozier, & RJ he played well
and has a confident shot. He could make it if he gets the right break.

But most of the others have already pointed out the obvious, even IF he gets a chance to prove
himself. The C's are so log-jammed at the point. Not to mention all the other picks that will be
coming in next year.

That was basically my point (the above is greece666's response to it). It's not like 2nd rounders don't ever make it in the NBA, it's just that the Celtics had four picks this past draft and at least as many this coming draft. Unfortunately for Thornton he was drafted by a team who had absolutely no need for him. It might have made more sense just to sell the pick for whatever cash they could get.

I remember shortly after the draft Ainge said that he had talked to MT before drafting him.
Ainge said He and MT agreed that MT would have to play Internationally. It was mutually agreed upon.

I guess we all know what Ainge's motives were. To get the most out of every opportunity.
Ainge probably figures he can flip him for a better chip sometime in the future?

MT's motives were most likely, I just wanna get drafted.