2024 NBA Draft

[HomeRunBaker]

Does Boston have any roster room at all for a late 1st to develop? I guess maybe, if it's a wing?

There are 15-17 roster spots now. Back in the days of 12-13 or even in some recent years where veteran teams simply don’t wish to invest in the staff and/or time to “waste” working on young players who will never likely suit up for them. The times have changed now with every team loaded with a full 2nd row of assistants and the added value of a min contract and/or multiple year controlled contract playing rotation minutes.

These guys rarely get more than 1-2 years, sometimes 3, to show that they have something to add. We’ll be churning guys when they don’t show that they can make it and it’s next 2nd rounder or UFA up.

 

[NomarsFool]

Does Boston have any roster room at all for a late 1st to develop? I guess maybe, if it's a wing?

Neither Kornet or Tillman are signed for next season, IIRC. Same for Svi. There are quite a few players at the end of the bench who probably shouldn't be buying real estate in the Boston area.

 

[slamminsammya]

Neither Kornet or Tillman are signed for next season, IIRC. Same for Svi. There are quite a few players at the end of the bench who probably shouldn't be buying real estate in the Boston area.

Kornet should be buying real estate in the Boston area and I will help him with the down payment.

 

[Justthetippett]

Kornet should be buying real estate in the Boston area and I will help him with the down payment.

While you are at it, build him a court with a nice 3pt line so he can get that shot back in his bag. His value would go even higher on this team.

 

[Kliq]

Kornet owns a house in Lexington, my buddy did his floors.

 

[InstaFace]

Neither Kornet or Tillman are signed for next season, IIRC. Same for Svi. There are quite a few players at the end of the bench who probably shouldn't be buying real estate in the Boston area.

I wouldn't expect to see Svi back, as he had no value during the competitive part of a basketball game. But I'd give it 50-50 for each of Kornet and Tillman to return - they have value and are a good fit, and the Bird rights / contract value can be an asset too.

 

[NomarsFool]

Kornet should be buying real estate in the Boston area and I will help him with the down payment.

I'm not knocking him at all. Just saying that he's unsigned, and while I'm sure the Celtics would like to have him back, there's definitely a chance they don't find a common ground this Summer.

 

[nighthob]

I will be disappointed if this guy doesn't end up on OKC.

I've been lighting prayer candles for this. And for them to find two other players named Jalen/Jaylen/Jaylin/Jalin Williams so that they can put that lineup on the floor and break broadcasting crews.

 

[RSC3000]

How we feeling about someone like Filipowski? Seems like a decent shooter, passer + effort guy. Maybe a bit too slow / not strong enough to ever develop into an exceptional defender, but seems like a high floor big who can contribute off the bench.

 

[Auger34]

How we feeling about someone like Filipowski? Seems like a decent shooter, passer + effort guy. Maybe a bit too slow / not strong enough to ever develop into an exceptional defender, but seems like a high floor big who can contribute off the bench.

If he’s there, he would be an awesome pick. He can shoot, he’s a versatile player. I’m not sure he can develop the foot speed to play in a switch defense but he mofht
Be able to.

If he’s there I think he’s a slam dunk pick

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I wouldn't expect to see Svi back, as he had no value during the competitive part of a basketball game. But I'd give it 50-50 for each of Kornet and Tillman to return - they have value and are a good fit, and the Bird rights / contract value can be an asset too.

Yeah Svi and Davison to me are two guys who won’t be here. I believe Brissett has a player option which if this is the case he’ll likely get a better offer elsewhere. That’s 3 spots right there for one rookie and two veterans. If we cut ties with Peterson that would open up another developmental roster spot.

 

[SteveF]

Quinten Post might be an interesting undrafted/very late second round guy. 7 footer who can shoot with offensive feel. The issue with him is the NBA athleticism thing.

It's stil very, very hard to find a big who can shoot, protect the rim, and switch out passably on the perimeter. Those guys practically don't exist, so you're really looking for someone who can do two of the three. The issue with Post is he might not be athletic enough to even play drop in the NBA. He's also almost 25 years old, so not a guy who you'd expect to get more athletic.
---
David Thorpe seems to be really high on Peterson, fwiw. He thinks he has a decent chance to be an NBA rotation guy (which in my world translates to being really high on a G league guy. Most of those dudes can't play in the NBA.)

 

[Jimbodandy]

I can't imagine Post holding up to NBA speed, and I'm kind of a fan of his.

 

[NomarsFool]

Anyone see that ridiculous Hardwood Houdini article that suggested the Celtics trade UP for Edey or Bronny? Yikes

 

[nighthob]

How we feeling about someone like Filipowski? Seems like a decent shooter, passer + effort guy. Maybe a bit too slow / not strong enough to ever develop into an exceptional defender, but seems like a high floor big who can contribute off the bench.

Honestly they're better off with the Green Kornet and X in the depth big roles. And they still have Queta beyond that. Where Boston does have a need for depth/prospects is guard/wing, given that Holiday just turned 34 and White's now 30.

 

[the moops]

If he’s there, he would be an awesome pick. He can shoot, he’s a versatile player. I’m not sure he can develop the foot speed to play in a switch defense but he mofht
Be able to.

If he’s there I think he’s a slam dunk pick

His stock seems to be all over the place. Some mocks have him second rounder, others just outside the lottery. If he hits, he could be our lesser Horford replacement.

 

[bsj]

i like Ware. Perfect Al replacement in a couple seasons.

 

[oumbi]

I am guessing that PBS trades the 30th pick to get a fist full of second rounders. But, if he has a pick in the early second round, what do you all think of either of these players? I have no where near the knowledge of folks here, so I would appreciate your thoughts on them.

- Bobi Klintman
- DeRon Holmes II

 

[Cellar-Door]

Baylor Scheierman looks like the kind of guy you grab late 1st when you're a title contender... he's not gonna blow up into a star, but you might get someone on the Hauser, Joe Ingles level of shooters with okay measurables and able to hang on D.

 

[RSC3000]

Honestly they're better off with the Green Kornet and X in the depth big roles. And they still have Queta beyond that. Where Boston does have a need for depth/prospects is guard/wing, given that Holiday just turned 34 and White's now 30.

Yea, I like Kornet and Tillman to varying degrees and would like to see them both back on cheap deals, I was just taking into account that they are FA's and Queta doesn't look like a big that will ever develop a shot. We did just extend Jrue (White is up next). I tend to think a more immediate long term answer would be needed behind Big Al + Porzingis given age, tendency to get hurt. Not sure how you feel about Springer, but perhaps they view him as your depth prospect at guard/wing, atleast for next season.

It's nice that we're so deep to have to worry about the backline like this. I'm expecting Brad to trade out or down.

 

[NomarsFool]

Seems like they basically have two choices:

1) Take a low ceiling, high floor, most likely older player who would be able to fill a specific role as a role player (e.g. find the best, 4 year senior who can shoot threes).

2) Take a high ceiling, lottery ticket type player that they can stash on the bench for a few years in the hope he turns into the next Desmond Bane, or Siakam, or Jokic, or any of the other (very rare) late round picks who end up becoming stars.

 

[Justthetippett]

I am guessing that PBS trades the 30th pick to get a fist full of second rounders. But, if he has a pick in the early second round, what do you all think of either of these players? I have no where near the knowledge of folks here, so I would appreciate your thoughts on them.

- Bobi Klintman
- DeRon Holmes II

Id be excited for either of these guys. I think Klintman is more like to be there at #30. Let Walsh and Springer be the wing prospects. I think we need some size that can shoot (or have a reasonable prospect of developing into that stretch 5 role).

 

[jezza1918]

Seems like they basically have two choices:

1) Take a low ceiling, high floor, most likely older player who would be able to fill a specific role as a role player (e.g. find the best, 4 year senior who can shoot threes).

2) Take a high ceiling, lottery ticket type player that they can stash on the bench for a few years in the hope he turns into the next Desmond Bane, or Siakam, or Jokic, or any of the other (very rare) late round picks who end up becoming stars.

I think the problem with #2 is it's exceptionally hard to turn into those guys while also being stashed on the bench.
edit: hit post before adding the fact that Bane and Jokic both played over 1,500 minutes their rookie years, Siakam closer to 850...which is closer to Nesmith's almost 700 his rookie year.

 

[NomarsFool]

I think the problem with #2 is it's exceptionally hard to turn into those guys while also being stashed on the bench.

I see your point, but I'm not so sure. I think a lot of the growth is probably more from continuing to work on your body, practice your game, etc., vs. minutes. The likelihood of these late picks making it is so slim the numbers are small, but it'd be interesting to look at how many case studies there are of people who didn't play a lot their first year or two.

EDIT: I came up with a few low minutes, late draft pick success stories - Rudy Gobert, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. Interestingly, all those were older players (21 or 22). My hypothesis was that older players wouldn't be late draft pick bloomers - but that doesn't seem to be the case (in limited examination fo the issue). The other case study I came up with was Kobe, who was of course the opposite.

 

[nighthob]

Yea, I like Kornet and Tillman to varying degrees and would like to see them both back on cheap deals, I was just taking into account that they are FA's and Queta doesn't look like a big that will ever develop a shot. We did just extend Jrue (White is up next). I tend to think a more immediate long term answer would be needed behind Big Al + Porzingis given age, tendency to get hurt. Not sure how you feel about Springer, but perhaps they view him as your depth prospect at guard/wing, atleast for next season.

It's nice that we're so deep to have to worry about the backline like this. I'm expecting Brad to trade out or down.

Bobi Klintman is a much better fit given his mobility. No one available this year is going to be an Al replacement (Tillman is much closer to that than anyone else), Klintman can at least guard 2-4 while providing perimeter offense. He’s sufficiently long enough that if he can get to 235-240 that there’s a hope that you can park him at the 5 in small lineups.

Clemson’s PJ Hall is another possibility. A lot more athletic (than Filipowski), but with Al’s actual measurables (6’8”+ 7’1.5” wingspan 240). He’s definitely switchable, albeit a little raw. But you can glue him to Al to learn the game.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

I am guessing that PBS trades the 30th pick to get a fist full of second rounders. But, if he has a pick in the early second round, what do you all think of either of these players? I have no where near the knowledge of folks here, so I would appreciate your thoughts on them.

- Bobi Klintman
- DeRon Holmes II

DaRon Holmes got invited to the green room, so he won't be there at #30, let alone the 2nd round.

I write a blog for UDPride.com, a Dayton fan website. Here is my post on DaRon when he announced he was staying in the draft:

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37583

 

[128]

The Athletic's latest mock:

30. Boston Celtics
Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite
Smith averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season while drilling 36 percent from 3, and measured at 6-9 without shoes to pair with a 7-1 wingspan. He was effective within a limited role where he pick-and-popped, cut to the rim and dove to the hoop out of ball screens. His jumper is silky smooth; it looks like he could become one of the better shooters in the league at this size.

Defensively, there are some worries. It will take him time to keep developing on that end, and I wouldn’t be confident putting him on an NBA floor from day one. But Boston could bring him along slowly, and his shot would be valuable to their style of play as a frontcourt player.

54. Boston Celtics (via Mavericks): Jalen Bridges | 6-7 wing | 23 years old | Baylor

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5571609/2024/06/20/nba-mock-draft-hawks-donovan-clingan-bronny-james/

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Yeah Svi and Davison to me are two guys who won’t be here. I believe Brissett has a player option which if this is the case he’ll likely get a better offer elsewhere. That’s 3 spots right there for one rookie and two veterans. If we cut ties with Peterson that would open up another developmental roster spot.

I think they like Peterson and think he has Hauser potential. He can shoot it, has better size than some shooting guards out there, and could be made into a decent perimeter defender.

Sadly, I agree that JD is out. If he could get his turnovers down, I think his shot will come around to 37% or so, and his playmaking and athleticism are elite. But he’s just not a good enough decision maker and he gives the ball away way too often, even at the G league level. Very fun to watch, but I don’t think he values possessions the way the Cs would like.

 

[RorschachsMask]

I want Ryan Dunn, and just hope they can improve his shot.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

The thing with most young players is that they need to have something(s) they do at the NBA level that gets them on the court for at least 10-15 minutes per night, so they can work on their weaknesses and turn themselves into rotation players

Next season-- absent injuries and our Joker-like hitting on a late draft pick-- there's going to be close to zero minutes in our rotation for any of the folks projected to be around at or after the 30th pick

So, in the scenario where Brad doesn't once again trade the pick I'd hope we'd draft someone with real upside and who needs a redshirt year to seriously work on the body, their skills, or both

I've watched close to zero minutes of college ball this season, so defer to the folks here who have on specific players


All that said, I'm intrigued by what I've seen of Filipowski, and the ways his offensive game/skills fits pretty clearly with what we want bigs to do in Mazzulla's offense. Comes from a family of division 1 basketball players and coaches. The big knock on him seems to be that he doesn't have the tools that project as a great off-the-ball, rim-protecting help defender, and his body needs to get stronger/more powerful/better vertical. The first half of that is why he doesn't project to go top 10. The second half feels like the kind of thing you fix by sending the 20-year-old to the weight room with Tatum and Jaylen and Horford for several hours every day.

Boston's front office has a bunch of connections to Duke, so doing our homework on his character/work ethic shouldn't be too hard.

Again, I dunno more than you can find out watching game clips online

 

[HomeRunBaker]

The thing with most young players is that they need to have something(s) they do at the NBA level that gets them on the court for at least 10-15 minutes per night, so they can work on their weaknesses and turn themselves into rotation players

Next season-- absent injuries and our Joker-like hitting on a late draft pick-- there's going to be close to zero minutes in our rotation for any of the folks projected to be around at or after the 30th pick

So, in the scenario where Brad doesn't once again trade the pick I'd hope we'd draft someone with real upside and who needs a redshirt year to seriously work on the body, their skills, or both

I've watched close to zero minutes of college ball this season, so defer to the folks here who have on specific players


All that said, I'm intrigued by what I've seen of Filipowski, and the ways his offensive game/skills fits pretty clearly with what we want bigs to do in Mazzulla's offense. Comes from a family of division 1 basketball players and coaches. The big knock on him seems to be that he doesn't have the tools that project as a great off-the-ball, rim-protecting help defender, and his body needs to get stronger/more powerful/better vertical. The first half of that is why he doesn't project to go top 10. The second half feels like the kind of thing you fix by sending the 20-year-old to the weight room with Tatum and Jaylen and Horford for several hours every day.

Boston's front office has a bunch of connections to Duke, so doing our homework on his character/work ethic shouldn't be too hard.

Again, I dunno more than you can find out watching game clips online

I think Celtics fans, actually I know Celtics fans, underestimate the influence that Wyc has on the roster as Ainge has told stories that every deal has to go through Wyc and we know how hands on he is in this process. Pags is Wyc’s right hand guy and a Duke guy…..you don’t have to go far down the list of Duke players who have come through Boston to recognize that there is a Pags influence when it comes to Duke players. It’s usually however players that they give a shot to and not someone that they would have to move capital to be able to draft. Having said all that, I do agree that he’d be a good piece to grow behind Horford and a good potential “fit” guy on a Championship team.

 

[ALiveH]

Who's the type of player who at least has a shot at getting some run on these celtics? It would have to be one of these or a combo of these archetypes:

seasoned college player,
defensive specialist who isn't asked to do too much on offense except be a passable 3-point threat,
3-point specialist who doesn't kill you too badly with his defense, or
a big man who can give you at least half the versatility of a KP or big Al.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Who's the type of player who at least has a shot at getting some run on these celtics? It would have to be one of these or a combo of these archetypes:

seasoned college player,
defensive specialist who isn't asked to do too much on offense except be a passable 3-point threat,
3-point specialist who doesn't kill you too badly with his defense, or
a big man who can give you at least half the versatility of a KP or big Al.

None? Whoever it is will be deep on the depth chart until inquires or some B2B on a 7 game in 11 night trip occur. In the past I’ve always been in favor or an older guy who can win a rotation spot on his rookie deal for a contending team but this team is different with the bench loaded with productive veterans already. Even after we lose Brissett there will be no shortage of that type of vet min player on the market.

For that reason and for the first time I can ever recall, I’d be fine with us drafting a raw KPerkins/GGreen/JYoung/ABradley-type or even a Euro stash.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Agreed——they have Quetta, Walsh, Peterson as guys who will get minutes ahead of any likely pick. And that’s beyond the first line of depth e.g. increasing minutes for Hauser, PP, Kornet/Tillman (assuming at least one is back). There just isn’t a lot of room for a rookie even in the depth rotation. Davison ,if back, would be in that picture too but not sure he will be (nor Svi, though some equivalent may be)

Developmentally a stretch 5/Al replacement is the ideal thing to be working on but that’s a very, very tough thing to find and build. So I think ‘best project available’ and hope you get some upside is the likely play, with another wing the default

 

[ALiveH]

Yeah, I agree it's slim chances. But I was thinking at least during the dog days, when we're slammed by back-to-backs, during blowouts, when a few rotation players are injured - in those types of scenarios, he could get a few minutes rookie year. I.e., Jordan Walsh (12 games, 94 minutes including playoffs).

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

None?

Yeah, 'none' is the right answer

The only scenario I can see where a pick gets some early-season run is where we draft a Mazzulla-offense-and-defense-ready big man who outplays Queta in training camp, then the team decides to bring KP back slowly from his surgery and he missed a bunch of October & November, Horford plays on a serious minutes restriction, and then Tillman and Kornet... never mind, I take it back, it's not happening

I'm fully prepared for Brad to trade the pick for future draft assets and a drawer full of polo shirts that automatically button their own top button the minute you put them on

 

[oumbi]

I don't think the Celtics will land a rotation player or anyone who can become one in two years. So, they will either draft for potential and development, or maybe another Euro stash.

If the latter, I hope they look at Pacome Dadiet, a 6'9" SG in Europe right now. Only saw highlights, but he looks like he can shoot from all over the court. He passes pretty well. His defense looked good as he moved his feet and had active hands.

https://www.tankathon.com/players/pacome-dadiet

 

[Jimbodandy]

Yeah, 'none' is the right answer

The only scenario I can see where a pick gets some early-season run is where we draft a Mazzulla-offense-and-defense-ready big man who outplays Queta in training camp, then the team decides to bring KP back slowly from his surgery and he missed a bunch of October & November, Horford plays on a serious minutes restriction, and then Tillman and Kornet... never mind, I take it back, it's not happening

I'm fully prepared for Brad to trade the pick for future draft assets and a drawer full of polo shirts that automatically button their own top button the minute you put them on

The calculus on the big man question changes if Luke and Xavier aren't retained. If they are, or at least one is, then we should all be fine with BPA since like 1-10 are now locked down.

 

[NomarsFool]

What are the current rules around Euro stash? If you draft some 19 year old, how long do you have his rights before you have to put him on the roster?

 

[brendan f]

Baylor Scheierman looks like the kind of guy you grab late 1st when you're a title contender... he's not gonna blow up into a star, but you might get someone on the Hauser, Joe Ingles level of shooters with okay measurables and able to hang on D.

Scheierman would be fine.The guy I like better in this role is Cam Spencer. Worse measurables but a better defender. Major problems are he's really old and prob can't do much switching, but most of his advanced stats are better than Scheierman.

 

[Justthetippett]

Scheierman would be fine.The guy I like better in this role is Cam Spencer. Worse measurables but a better defender. Major problems are he's really old and prob can't do much switching, but most of his advanced stats are better than Scheierman.

Spencer would be nice as a Svi replacement and I think will be there at 54. If they stick at 30, I would like to see them pick a big/wing, like Klintman, Smith or Diadet.

 

[BaseballJones]

Scheierman would be fine.The guy I like better in this role is Cam Spencer. Worse measurables but a better defender. Major problems are he's really old and prob can't do much switching, but most of his advanced stats are better than Scheierman.

I’m on board with Spencer. Who cares that he’s “old”? He will not be any sort of centerpiece for the long term. He will be useful for this window, which is all they need given the status of the team and their draft position. He’s got incredible drive and work ethic, can really shoot, and is solid overall.

I mean, it’s not a great draft and the Celtics almost certainly aren’t going to be able to draft a game changer, so why not just grab a guy who could/should be a solid fit for this current team?

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

The calculus on the big man question changes if Luke and Xavier aren't retained

Fair point

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

I'll admit, I could be talked into drafting Bronny just to see how much you could extract from Klutch and the Lakers front office to trade him to LA before the start of training camp

Could we get a couple of future 1st round pick swaps, in something like '26 and '28, by which time LeBron should be well retired and won't care?

James has always been willing to overpay and force his franchises into bad deals in order to get what he wants right now. And starting in a couple of years we're going to need to start replenishing our young talent.

Now might be the time to buy low(er) on the future draft assets to make that happen

 

[Van Everyman]

Not sure if this was posted earlier but there’s a little noise about Ime and the Rockets trying to get Smart from the Grizzlies:

• The third draft night possibility involves the Rockets moving back, and collecting additional draft capital, significant enough to warrant Houston relinquishing its top-three selection. In this instance, the Grizzlies pose an interesting option. Both general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka are fans of veteran guard Marcus Smart, league sources said. Is there a possibility Memphis could entice Houston by offering Smart in addition to the No. 9 pick and future assets, to move up and grab Clingan if he isn’t already gone? Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, who has fans within the Rockets organization, could be available if Houston were to move back.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5574543/2024/06/20/rockets-draft-notebook-donovan-clingan/?source=user_shared_articleHouston Rockets draft notebook 2.0: Big board debates, domino effect and more

 

[benhogan]

PC Nation what's up with Devin Carter?

Should we expect Memphis or OKC to snag him ahead of the Heat

 

[TomRicardo]

PC Nation what's up with Devin Carter?

Should we expect Memphis or OKC to snag him ahead of the Heat

His draft stock has been moving up, I don't think he will fall to the Heat. The Spurs seem enamored with him.

 

[NomarsFool]

I don’t like the idea of drafting Bronny with the intention of holding him hostage. Lebron is a big voice and would badmouth the Celtics until the end of time.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I don’t like the idea of drafting Bronny with the intention of holding him hostage. Lebron is a big voice and would badmouth the Celtics until the end of time.

LeBron is a partner with John Henry and might like to be closer to his investments.

 

[FireChief]

LeBron is a partner with John Henry and might like to be closer to his investments.

There's no way the union would let him be any team's 'vet minimum ring chaser' let alone the C's... however, if it came out that he had a previously unknown twin brother, LeRon, who is suspiciously close with Cliff Paul...