Value of 2nd round picks might be super-low right now

[Envelope]

The Celtics are sitting on the 31st and 35th picks, and they have 3 other 2nd round picks this year, but it might be the worst year ever to have such a sweet stash.

Second round picks are only obligated to sign a one year minimum wage contract. We saw KJ McDaniels take this route a couple years ago and it quickly paid off with a bigger free agent contract with the Rockets the next summer.

One year contract, followed by unrestricted free agency. Or sign a 2-4 year deal to be negotiated with the team that drafts them.


That's the choice facing every 2nd round pick this year, while the salary cap and player salaries skyrockets next year and the years after that.

Any high 2nd round pick with any clear NBA ability would be foolish to get locked in to a long term contract this year.

Last year the Celtics were fortunate that 2nd round pick Jordan Mickey accepted a 4 year, 5 million dollar contract, which paid him more than the 26th-30th picks in the first round. Because Mickey could have been an unrestricted free agent this summer and scored at least double the money per year, and possibly more.


So you might see the Celtics and other teams snag some first round talents in the 2nd round this year, but that doesn't mean they'll be able to sign them for any more than one year. As such, I'm not even sure how much trade value these second round picks have.

I haven't seen a lot written about this, but prepare for some 5 second rounders to get paid more than late first rounders, and expect one or two to get paid more than the 15th pick or something. And expect a few others to simply sign one year minimum contracts, which the teams that draft them will not be happy about. And expect that 2nd round picks will not have the trade value they once did.

[bwgood77]

Many second round picks don't even make teams. My guess is that with such uncertainty of an nba career, the vast majority would sign as long of contracts as they can, and the amount they are able to get will be higher because of the cap spike.