#3 pick

[Darthlukey]

Nope, he should be able to play immediately.

Why do you say that?
NBA players have to be 19, right?
Doesn't that include Euro players?

If the person's nineteenth birthday falls within the calendar year of the Draft, they are eligible, from my understanding of the rule. Given that he has played professional basketball in Europe, he bypasses the one-year college eligibility rule, though hypothetically a U.S. player would also be eligible, assuming they played at least on season of College basketball, or one year in the NBA Developmental-League under the same circumstances of entering the league at eighteen (assuming that their nineteenth birthday is within the calendar year).

This may (or may not) be a popular opinion that I have but the draft system seems to want to take advantage of young US athletes (free development in college, free revenue for the NCAA etc) whilst still remaining an option for international players. I view it as USA basketball (NCAA & NBA) wanting to have their cake & eat it too.

[Domejandro]

Why do you say that?
NBA players have to be 19, right?
Doesn't that include Euro players?

If the person's nineteenth birthday falls within the calendar year of the Draft, they are eligible, from my understanding of the rule. Given that he has played professional basketball in Europe, he bypasses the one-year college eligibility rule, though hypothetically a U.S. player would also be eligible, assuming they played at least on season of College basketball, or one year in the NBA Developmental-League under the same circumstances of entering the league at eighteen (assuming that their nineteenth birthday is within the calendar year).

This may (or may not) be a popular opinion that I have but the draft system seems to want to take advantage of young US athletes (free development in college, free revenue for the NCAA etc) whilst still remaining an option for international players. I view it as USA basketball (NCAA & NBA) wanting to have their cake & eat it too.

That is exactly what it is. Though the system still can potentially negatively impact young European players, this is primarily an exploitative scheme by the NCAA and NBA, in my opinion.

[threrf23]

Bender turns 19, on Nov, 17.
Does that mean, that he can't play an NBA game, until his birthday?

Nope, he should be able to play immediately.

Why do you say that?
NBA players have to be 19, right?
Doesn't that include Euro players?

Giannis didn't turn 19 until December of his rookie season.

You simply have to turn 19 within a given calendar year in order to be considered 19.

[threrf23]

If the person's nineteenth birthday falls within the calendar year of the Draft, they are eligible, from my understanding of the rule. Given that he has played professional basketball in Europe, he bypasses the one-year college eligibility rule, though hypothetically a U.S. player would also be eligible, assuming they played at least on season of College basketball, or one year in the NBA Developmental-League under the same circumstances of entering the league at eighteen (assuming that their nineteenth birthday is within the calendar year).

This may (or may not) be a popular opinion that I have but the draft system seems to want to take advantage of young US athletes (free development in college, free revenue for the NCAA etc) whilst still remaining an option for international players. I view it as USA basketball (NCAA & NBA) wanting to have their cake & eat it too.

That is exactly what it is. Though the system still can potentially negatively impact young European players, this is primarily an exploitative scheme by the NCAA and NBA, in my opinion.

Perhaps, but there are also no rules to discourage US players from playing internationally (instead of attending college or even finishing high school).

[Domejandro]

This may (or may not) be a popular opinion that I have but the draft system seems to want to take advantage of young US athletes (free development in college, free revenue for the NCAA etc) whilst still remaining an option for international players. I view it as USA basketball (NCAA & NBA) wanting to have their cake & eat it too.

That is exactly what it is. Though the system still can potentially negatively impact young European players, this is primarily an exploitative scheme by the NCAA and NBA, in my opinion.

Perhaps, but there are also no rules to discourage US players from playing internationally (instead of attending college or even finishing high school).

Of course, but not entering the NCAA system can have serious implications on one's Draft stock due to limited playing time and/or exposure. Though it does not enforce the concept directly, there is a blatant push towards entering the NCAA system. I am simply of the opinion that capable high-school players should be allowed to enter the NBA. Provisions should allow for second round draft picks to enter (or rejoin) their collegiate programs.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Work with Philly on swapping #3 for Okafor - Dunn makes sense for Philly.

this is the (discredited?) move we heard about before the trade deadline. from tonight's twitters it seems that Noel is more likely the odd man out there. hell of a pick-up for somebody. just not sure what price he would command.

What's the word on Noel?

[Andrew McCeltic]

My preferred scenario: trade out and then back in.

3/23 to Utah for Favors, 12

12/16/player(s) for pick in 5-8 range to get Murray or Hield.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Think 12/16/Young/Rozier for 7, or 16/Bradley for 6..

IT/Smart
Murray (6)/Hunter
Crowder/Turner
Favors/Olynyk/Mickey
Amir/Skal-or-Deyonta-or-Damian Jones

Plus cap to max one or two players.

[greenpierce]

Right now, I go with Bender. Celt starters are short at every single position and we can use his skills and length.

[jfs1000d]

If okafor was in this draft he would go 1 or 2. I like the guy and believe in the talent.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[DavorFanCroatia]

The only argument against drafting Bender if they keep the pick is to draft a guy with more immediate impact to worsen the nets 2017 pick.

The argument against Bender is he sucks. Unless your impressed with his 4 points and 2 rebound averages in the Euroleague. Bender could be good but it won't be for another 3 years

Do you realize that Bender is 16 months younger then Simmons, and played against much, much better competition in Europe. He played against grown man. Simmons played against kids. If you think that Simmons or Ingram would have great numbers on any top tier Euroleague team you are very wrong

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

I'd trade it to the sixers for Okafor. Makes sense for both teams. Sixers have too many bigs and the celtics have too many guards.

[165bows]

I could talk myself into that deal. I loved Okafor coming out of HS but I think the defensive slowness and weakness on the boards is tough.

Big picture though I think he'd look a lot better in Boston than he did last year and he'd be a good bit better of a trade chip in 1.5 years than either what he is currently or #3. So I'd do it as a good investment.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

I could talk myself into that deal. I loved Okafor coming out of HS but I think the defensive slowness and weakness on the boards is tough.

Big picture though I think he'd look a lot better in Boston than he did last year and he'd be a good bit better of a trade chip in 1.5 years than either what he is currently or #3. So I'd do it as a good investment.

He is slow and his defense isn't great but he can score down low which is what the Celtics need badly. Plus I do wonder how much of a toll it takes on the the players when before the game even starts they already know they have almost no chance to win. Maybe if Okafor is in a more winning situation he simply plays better or digs in more?

Regardless Simmons will be the 3rd drafted player in a row that wants no part of philly. I guarantee he is looking forward to playing there like i look forward to a dentist appointment.

[ParticleMan]

i'd rather pry noel for that package if we can.

[radcot]

I thought (and said) going into the lottery that this was a 3 player draft, not a 2 player draft. We now have the opportunity to take one of those three (Bender). Obviously if Durant were not a free agent, we would trade the pick for him. Cousins? In his own special way, he's just as much of a risk as Bender. Butler? Tempting, but probably not going anywhere and not quite worth the 3rd pick if he were. I vote we swing for the fences and the future with Bender and then draft Valentine at 16 for some immediate help with our shooting.

[165bows]

I could talk myself into that deal. I loved Okafor coming out of HS but I think the defensive slowness and weakness on the boards is tough.

Big picture though I think he'd look a lot better in Boston than he did last year and he'd be a good bit better of a trade chip in 1.5 years than either what he is currently or #3. So I'd do it as a good investment.

He is slow and his defense isn't great but he can score down low which is what the Celtics need badly. Plus I do wonder how much of a toll it takes on the the players when before the game even starts they already know they have almost no chance to win. Maybe if Okafor is in a more winning situation he simply plays better or digs in more?

Regardless Simmons will be the 3rd drafted player in a row that wants not part of philly. I guarantee he is looking forward to playing there like i look forward to a dentist appointment.

Yeah he didn't look enthused on day one last year at the draft.

This team would still really need another forward but I could see it from the standpoint of improving their assets over the medium term. A 21-22 year old high end scoring big plus another lotto pick next year keeps them right in the trade market.

[robbie84]

I think we'd have a good shot at swapping #3 with Phoenix for #4 and #13 if they really want Bender (and we don't).
Ending up with something like Hield and Skal Labissiere would be a good result.
When Bender comes over to work out it will be great to see him go to work.

[Andrew McCeltic]

We have a lot of potential options for trading the third pick, but a big risk is that LA decides to outbid us with the second pick. I could see Indiana dealing Paul George and George Hill to LA for 2/Russell very easily.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Such an 80s throwback to have Philly and LA getting in our way at the top of the draft.