Draft promises

[Eddie20]

Steve Kyler ‏
Was told by a couple of people Toronto might be Sabonis' promise hence why he shut down workouts

On Wade Bladwin with a promise from the Bulls...

Steve Kyler
Told it was a "soft promise" - means assuming draft plays out as it should, they'd draft him unless someone falls

More from Kyler...

It seems Providence guard Kris Dunn may have enough of a promise in the top six that he’s basically told teams he won’t work out for any of them one-on-zero, meaning a private individual workout.

It’s believed that most of the notable international guys have promises in the first round including Ivica Zubac, Ante Zizic and Juan Hernangomez. Zizic may be the highest of the bunch.

Syracuse’s Malachi Richardson is believed to have a soft promise in the teens. He is said to be one of the favorites of the Memphis Grizzlies, who also are also said to have eyes for Demetrius Jackson. This could come down to who’s there at No. 17 for the Grizz.

[Emmette Bryant]

TP. Thanks for the rumours, Eddie.

[saltlover]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

[Surferdad]

Promises irk me.  Are there really "hard" promises?  A GM is giving away his options with the only benefit that the draftee may cancel his workouts with other teams.  On the other hand, a "soft" promise doesn't seem like it helps the draftee very much.  It's like saying "we like you, but not as much as a lottery pick".  Doesn't instill a sense of belonging...

[saltlover]

Promises irk me.  Are there really "hard" promises?  A GM is giving away his options with the only benefit that the draftee may cancel his workouts with other teams.  On the other hand, a "soft" promise doesn't seem like it helps the draftee very much.  It's like saying "we like you, but not as much as a lottery pick".  Doesn't instill a sense of belonging...

Some are hard promises.  If you see a guy early in the process whom you think could go five slots higher if people have seen what you just saw, the promise can make some sense.  With international players, it makes a lot of sense, because without such a promise, the player you want may not be in the draft at all.

The "soft" promises -- I'm not so sure about those.  I wouldn't shut my workouts down because a team has told me they'll pick me if they don't like anyone better -- gee, thanks!  From a player's side, the risk of working out and/or sliding down the draft make the hard promises absolutely worth it if you think the team is a good fit.

[footey]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

[kozlodoev]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

[mmmmm]

I guess a "soft promise" might be more credible coming from a team with multiple picks.  Because they could say, "Well, we'll try to take you with our 16th pick unless someone we have rated much higher falls, in which case we then will definitely take you at our 23rd pick, if you are still on the board."

The chance of a second player making a significant fall to your second pick to interfere with that seems pretty tiny, so that is probably an easier promise to make and for a player easier to believe.

Note - I used Danny's picks for the example, but I tend to agree with others that I'm doubtful Danny would offer anyone a promise.

[gift]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

Hasn't he made promises since then though? Was JR Giddens a promise? I'm pretty sure there was a promise to Reggie Jackson but OKC scooped him first anyway.

[Eddie20]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

Hasn't he made promises since then though? Was JR Giddens a promise? I'm pretty sure there was a promise to Reggie Jackson but OKC scooped him first anyway.

Rozier last year, too.

[saltlover]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

Hasn't he made promises since then though? Was JR Giddens a promise? I'm pretty sure there was a promise to Reggie Jackson but OKC scooped him first anyway.

Rozier last year, too.

I've never heard of Rozier having any promise last year.  Certainly it wasn't remotely a hard promise, given how much Ainge was trying to trade that pick.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Marcus Thornton was definitely a promise.

[Evantime34]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

Hasn't he made promises since then though? Was JR Giddens a promise? I'm pretty sure there was a promise to Reggie Jackson but OKC scooped him first anyway.

Rozier last year, too.

I've never heard of Rozier having any promise last year.  Certainly it wasn't remotely a hard promise, given how much Ainge was trying to trade that pick.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2015/06/06/report-terry-rozier-guaranteed-first-round-nba-draft-selection/28601465/

I believe it was chicago, but I'm not sure.

[Eddie20]

Given that so many international players stayed in the draft, despite many being mocked in the second-half of the first round, I would expect that a lot of them have promises.

I'd be surprised if Ainge has thrown out any promises himself.  I understand he's not much for that strategy any more, and it would be difficult to throw out more than a soft promise, given the likelihood that some picks will be traded, although which one are uncertain.

Yeah, he learned his lesson with Orien Greene!

We could have had Amir Johnson back in 2005, imagine that!

Hasn't he made promises since then though? Was JR Giddens a promise? I'm pretty sure there was a promise to Reggie Jackson but OKC scooped him first anyway.

Rozier last year, too.

I've never heard of Rozier having any promise last year.  Certainly it wasn't remotely a hard promise, given how much Ainge was trying to trade that pick.

Kyler had something on Rozier just today when discussing the soft promise for Richardson. I also remember Rozier canceling workouts during the process, which signaled him having a promise. Remember that before the combine he was projected to go early in the second round, but rocketed up during workouts.

Kyler-
Was told Malachi has a soft promise, so if someone wants him they'll have to jump up to grab him.

Q-he has a soft promise from the celtics? Or just in general

Kyler-
Not the Celtics... but this happens last year with Terry Rozier. He was someone C's liked, but Bulls were taking him.

[csfansince60s]

I think that Ainge last year could have made some kind of promise to Mickey.

Mickey didn't look thrilled AT ALL when drafted by us early in the second, shortly after RJ fell to us.

Anybody remember that?

And then Ainge gives him a better contract than what he would've gotten if drafted in Hunter's spot?

Sounds like Danny showing some "good faith" to Mickey and his agent.