Marcus Thornton to the Red Claws

[mctyson]

So can we do the same with some of our picks from the upcoming draft?  That would seem to solve some of the roster crunch issues.

If the draftees want to, yes.  Presumably the Celtics determined that Thornton would be willing to do so, which is why he was selected.  D-league pay is terrible however, (my memory says $25,000 a season) so that's mostly going to be attractive to fringe players unlikely to otherwise be drafted.

The salaries in the D-League have three tiers $13,000, $19,000 or $25,000, which is why (just to substantiate saltlover's comment) a lot of draftees wouldn't want to get drafted if it results in playing in the D-League for a year.

I just do not understand why the NBA won't expand the rosters and make the D-league a real professional minor league.  It works great for baseball and hockey.  Let these guys earn a real living please.

[JBcat]

So can we do the same with some of our picks from the upcoming draft?  That would seem to solve some of the roster crunch issues.

If the draftees want to, yes.  Presumably the Celtics determined that Thornton would be willing to do so, which is why he was selected.  D-league pay is terrible however, (my memory says $25,000 a season) so that's mostly going to be attractive to fringe players unlikely to otherwise be drafted.

The salaries in the D-League have three tiers $13,000, $19,000 or $25,000, which is why (just to substantiate saltlover's comment) a lot of draftees wouldn't want to get drafted if it results in playing in the D-League for a year.

I just do not understand why the NBA won't expand the rosters and make the D-league a real professional minor league.  It works great for baseball and hockey.  Let these guys earn a real living please.

The way this worked out for Thornton is a nice little loophole.  Go play overseas somewhere like Australia for some real money, then come over to the D league for the remainder of the season.  Could be a neat way to work in our mid to late second round picks, and helps our roster crunch.

[bostonsportsforlife]

Australia stats are underwhelming, but from watching him you can see the upside. Great athlete, definitely is some untapped potential with that jumpshot, defense is suspect though.

[Dino Pitino]

Do these rights include playoff eligibility, or nah?

[saltlover]

I just saw this:

Thornton averaged 12.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, but shot just 37.7 percent from the field and 28.1 percent on 3-pointers.

and thought: UGH That's horrible.

Sooo, he'll fit right in with the Celtics. 

I'm a big Ainge supporter, and in the greater scheme of things, a mistaken pick that late is probably inconsequential, BUT....

...another ****' guard, really, and a TINY chucker (his height, not his propensity to chuck) at that???

Dakkari Johnson, Singh, Takoto.....all positions of need.

I really don't get it.

Simply because Thornton most likely expressed a willingness to not sign an NBA tender for one or more years, which may not have been the case with other players.  Take Takoto for instance -- he signed his tender with Philly, was released in training camp, and now he can sign anywhere.  With the roster crunch the C's were expecting and ended up developing, there was no room.  If Ainge really wants Takoto, he could go sign him today since he's a free agent.

I also seem to remember Thornton rating as the top athlete the pre-draft combine.

That's why he was selected relative to other players who also would have been willing to D-league it for a year.  But even on draft night Ainge pretty much said he wasn't going to be a Celtic this year.  You're allowed to discuss that option with potential draftees ahead of draft night, so there's virtually no way that didn't come up.

[crimson_stallion]

I just saw this:

Thornton averaged 12.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, but shot just 37.7 percent from the field and 28.1 percent on 3-pointers.

and thought: UGH That's horrible.

Sooo, he'll fit right in with the Celtics. 

I'm a big Ainge supporter, and in the greater scheme of things, a mistaken pick that late is probably inconsequential, BUT....

...another ****' guard, really, and a TINY chucker (his height, not his propensity to chuck) at that???

Dakkari Johnson, Singh, Takoto.....all positions of need.

I really don't get it.

How is he tiny?

Isn't he like 6'3" and 190 pounds or thereabouts? Huge wingspan also.

Anyhoot the pick was an "upside" gamble pick.  Thornton had possible THE best physicals of anybody at the combine - absolutely elite athlete.  Had a solid overall game in college and was a great scorer.

The pick would have certainly been based on who they hope he might one day become, rather than who he is now.  Unlikely you're going to get a contributing player that late in the draft, so I have no problem with them taking a gamble pick there.

[Greyman]

D league will help determine if he is developing. From what he did in Australia, he has a lot of that to do. He was on a losing team but it was rare that he showed glimpses of someone who could survive in the NBA, let alone contribute on a contending team.

Different country, different way of doing things and basketball, though it has a pro league, is a minor sport. Maybe he can shine in the D league or do enough to make him attractive to someone. He is worth giving time even if he is never a NBA player.

I would be happy to be proved wrong but I doubt he inspires many more threads.

[LooseCannon]

So can we do the same with some of our picks from the upcoming draft?  That would seem to solve some of the roster crunch issues.

If the draftees want to, yes.  Presumably the Celtics determined that Thornton would be willing to do so, which is why he was selected.  D-league pay is terrible however, (my memory says $25,000 a season) so that's mostly going to be attractive to fringe players unlikely to otherwise be drafted.

The salaries in the D-League have three tiers $13,000, $19,000 or $25,000, which is why (just to substantiate saltlover's comment) a lot of draftees wouldn't want to get drafted if it results in playing in the D-League for a year.

I just do not understand why the NBA won't expand the rosters and make the D-league a real professional minor league.  It works great for baseball and hockey.  Let these guys earn a real living please.

They are expanding the D-League at a sustainable rate, one team at a time.  Once there are enough teams in the D-League for every NBA franchise to have its own affiliate, maybe they will require a firmer relationship.

Minor league baseball players start out at a bit over $1,000/month.  Being a minor league athlete is not good way to make a living in any sport.

[Surferdad]

So can we do the same with some of our picks from the upcoming draft?  That would seem to solve some of the roster crunch issues.

If the draftees want to, yes.  Presumably the Celtics determined that Thornton would be willing to do so, which is why he was selected.  D-league pay is terrible however, (my memory says $25,000 a season) so that's mostly going to be attractive to fringe players unlikely to otherwise be drafted.

The salaries in the D-League have three tiers $13,000, $19,000 or $25,000, which is why (just to substantiate saltlover's comment) a lot of draftees wouldn't want to get drafted if it results in playing in the D-League for a year.

I just do not understand why the NBA won't expand the rosters and make the D-league a real professional minor league.  It works great for baseball and hockey.  Let these guys earn a real living please.

The way this worked out for Thornton is a nice little loophole.  Go play overseas somewhere like Australia for some real money, then come over to the D league for the remainder of the season.  Could be a neat way to work in our mid to late second round picks, and helps our roster crunch.

True, but it's not something the Celtics can actively do themselves.  The player has to decide for himself that he wants to sign with a D-league team.  The Celtics hold the rights to sign him to an NBA contract, but not to any other contract such as a D-league team or an overseas team or Wal-Mart for that matter.  NBA teams have 15 roster spots and that INCLUDES up to 2 players on assignment in their D-league affiliate.

All that said, I think it is very telling that he signed with the Red Claws.  I think there is some connection or conversation Ainge must have had with him before he went to Australia.