2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Dogen]

I’d try and trade for Derick lively now that Dallas has cooper and AD

Dallas really likes Lively, for good reason, but yeah with Davis there that's too many guys at similar position. Maybe Davis is a 4/5 and Cooper a 4/3. With Gafford and Washington, that's 5 front court guys that can all start. I think Flagg will play his way into starting, and fans will want to see him. That leaves Gafford (if AD will start at center), Lively, or Washington as an odd man out. Lively probably has the best trade value right now, despite injuries.

Lively would be a nice get for the Celtics, but we don't really have the contracts to match unless a third team involved.

[Dogen]

I’d try and trade for Derick lively now that Dallas has cooper and AD

If they maximize win now window and defense approach

Jrue

For

Washington
Lively
Martin
Prosper


Would cs need to add a pick?

Gives them top 6 rotation of
Jrue
Kyrie
Flagg
Ad
Gafford
6th man Klay

Jrue for Washington and Gafford might make a lot of sense for both teams.

Send Brown to Spurs for the #2, Vassell and Barnes.

PG: Harper/Pritchard
SG: White/Schierman
SF: Vassell/Hauser
PF: Washington/Barnes
C: Kristaps/Gafford

Look to offlead Kristaps somewhere for a pick/depth or something, Develop Gafford, Develop Vassell, Develop HArper and then when Tatum returns....Boom...New Dynasty.

Gret defensive versatility as any of Vassell, White, Harper can guard anyone elses pg-sf. So switchability is great. Washington can do the heavy defensive lifting when Tatum returns.

These trades favor the Celtics, but I really like the general gist-- somewhat blow it up, but stay relevant. Jrue and Brown go to playoff potential teams where they can contribute. The Celtics get a mix of solid if not spectacular established vets and a high potential rookie while Tatum recovers. And Celtics keep their picks to keep building. In 2026-27 we could be right back in it with a healthy Tatum, a rising Harper, and good supporting cast.

It's hard to know what to do with Porzingis. He's been such an enigma that maybe it's better to at least see if his trade value can be raised, or maybe keep him and he does a team friendly deal (if his health issues are resolved).

[Dogen]

OTOH, if the Spurs think they can end up with a core of Fox, Giannis, and Wemby next season, I think both their lottery picks are gone, gone, gone.

[Larry_Russell]

If they maximize win now window and defense approach

Jrue

For

Washington
Lively
Martin
Prosper


Would cs need to add a pick?

Gives them top 6 rotation of
Jrue
Kyrie
Flagg
Ad
Gafford
6th man Klay

Jrue for Washington and Gafford might make a lot of sense for both teams.

Send Brown to Spurs for the #2, Vassell and Barnes.

PG: Harper/Pritchard
SG: White/Schierman
SF: Vassell/Hauser
PF: Washington/Barnes
C: Kristaps/Gafford

Look to offlead Kristaps somewhere for a pick/depth or something, Develop Gafford, Develop Vassell, Develop HArper and then when Tatum returns....Boom...New Dynasty.

Gret defensive versatility as any of Vassell, White, Harper can guard anyone elses pg-sf. So switchability is great. Washington can do the heavy defensive lifting when Tatum returns.

These trades favor the Celtics, but I really like the general gist-- somewhat blow it up, but stay relevant. Jrue and Brown go to playoff potential teams where they can contribute. The Celtics get a mix of solid if not spectacular established vets and a high potential rookie while Tatum recovers. And Celtics keep their picks to keep building. In 2026-27 we could be right back in it with a healthy Tatum, a rising Harper, and good supporting cast.

It's hard to know what to do with Porzingis. He's been such an enigma that maybe it's better to at least see if his trade value can be raised, or maybe keep him and he does a team friendly deal (if his health issues are resolved).

He is an expiring....so after a year you are free from him (or resign cheaply) or you move him and a couple of seconds to Brooklyn for Claxton, or to a team desparate for a center.

[Larry_Russell]

OTOH, if the Spurs think they can end up with a core of Fox, Giannis, and Wemby next season, I think both their lottery picks are gone, gone, gone.

Spurs dont want Giannis. It doesnt fit them at all.

Timeline is wrong

And a team with Fox, Wemby and Giannis is crowded.

And Giannis demands the ball a lot, which takes away from both Fox and Wemby


The fit is just terrible

[Dogen]

Jrue for Washington and Gafford might make a lot of sense for both teams.

Send Brown to Spurs for the #2, Vassell and Barnes.

PG: Harper/Pritchard
SG: White/Schierman
SF: Vassell/Hauser
PF: Washington/Barnes
C: Kristaps/Gafford

Look to offlead Kristaps somewhere for a pick/depth or something, Develop Gafford, Develop Vassell, Develop HArper and then when Tatum returns....Boom...New Dynasty.

Gret defensive versatility as any of Vassell, White, Harper can guard anyone elses pg-sf. So switchability is great. Washington can do the heavy defensive lifting when Tatum returns.

These trades favor the Celtics, but I really like the general gist-- somewhat blow it up, but stay relevant. Jrue and Brown go to playoff potential teams where they can contribute. The Celtics get a mix of solid if not spectacular established vets and a high potential rookie while Tatum recovers. And Celtics keep their picks to keep building. In 2026-27 we could be right back in it with a healthy Tatum, a rising Harper, and good supporting cast.

It's hard to know what to do with Porzingis. He's been such an enigma that maybe it's better to at least see if his trade value can be raised, or maybe keep him and he does a team friendly deal (if his health issues are resolved).

He is an expiring....so after a year you are free from him (or resign cheaply) or you move him and a couple of seconds to Brooklyn for Claxton, or to a team desparate for a center.

Ugh, if it comes to that for the Unicorn, then so be it I guess. Makes sense to hold onto him for a year as his value is really low. KP has been a good soldier about all the injuries, I don't think it's his fault, so I'd rather just keep him unless some team makes a decent offer.

[Dogen]

OTOH, if the Spurs think they can end up with a core of Fox, Giannis, and Wemby next season, I think both their lottery picks are gone, gone, gone.

Spurs dont want Giannis. It doesnt fit them at all.

Timeline is wrong

And a team with Fox, Wemby and Giannis is crowded.

And Giannis demands the ball a lot, which takes away from both Fox and Wemby

The fit is just terrible

"[Insert Any Team Name Here] don't want Giannis" said no team ever.

Crowded? A blazing fast scoring guard in Fox, a ball-handling bull in Giannis, and a 94ft-covering freak 2.0 in Wemby.

I could see the fit not being perfect, but it's not "just terrible". Add a couple utility bigs, a couple 3-D guys, and a bench PG around those guys and it's a big problem for opposing teams. Like any other team with a big three, they'll need to sacrifice for the greater good.

[Larry_Russell]

OTOH, if the Spurs think they can end up with a core of Fox, Giannis, and Wemby next season, I think both their lottery picks are gone, gone, gone.

Spurs dont want Giannis. It doesnt fit them at all.

Timeline is wrong

And a team with Fox, Wemby and Giannis is crowded.

And Giannis demands the ball a lot, which takes away from both Fox and Wemby

The fit is just terrible

"[Insert Any Team Name Here] don't want Giannis" said no team ever.

Crowded? A blazing fast scoring guard in Fox, a ball-handling bull in Giannis, and a 94ft-covering freak 2.0 in Wemby.

I could see the fit not being perfect, but it's not "just terrible". Add a couple utility bigs, a couple 3-D guys, and a bench PG around those guys and it's a big problem for opposing teams. Like any other team with a big three, they'll need to sacrifice for the greater good.

Its BAD. Wemby 34% from three, Fox a ball dominate 35% from 3 player, Giannis a super ball dominate 0% shooter from 3. Sochan a 0% shooter from 3, Vassel, Castle, Barnes would all be gone trading for Giannis.

[Hal14]

I highly doubt Jrue's contract would be seen as positive value by any team in the league. We'd probably have to give up positive assets to get off it.

100%.

Jrue and KP. I figure we'd probably have to attach a 1st rounder (or maybe our early 2nd rounder in this year's draft) to get off either contract.

Brad has his hands full this offseason to figure things out.

He's been awesome so far in his POBO tenure. Will be very interesting to see what he cooks up this summer.

I don't think he's gonna blow it up.

Think he's gonna try to walk that line between staying competitive but also trimming the tax bill. The goal is, try and win at least 1 more title before Tatum turns 35..

[Hal14]

Brad isn’t trading JB unless he asks out. Not sure why fans would want that either. So we can watch a middling team next season? Then watch a disgruntled JT come back to a lottery team? We know who will be on the way out. Move up and hope to god you can hit on a big man in the early twenties. Then spend next season trying to integrate your pick/Baylor/whoever into the lineup.

You think next year they will compete? It’s a throwaway year and i have no problem with it. I want them to be in the lottery.

The last year we had no Tatum on the Celtics, Boston made the ECF.

I doubt Brad treats it like a throwaway year, especially with all of the talent on this roster, outside of tatum.

[redslastlaugh]

Combine scrimmage box scores came out today ... And I learned something new.
St. John's prospect RJ Luis is listed in the box score as Reggie Luis, whoa

RJ Louis real name is reggie, lol ... This actually makes me like him more, lol... Celtics draft him, Luis becomes an impact swingman, and it's the Reggie Lewis redemption arc... sign me up!

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kmrcmi/official_box_score_from_the_first_scrimmage_at/

[Hal14]

This guy worked out for the Celtics the other day:

Read on Twitter

[redslastlaugh]

Javon Small shot 88% from the line this year. 89% from the line in conference. And 87% over his entire collegiate career

I like ft% as a touch indicator and just been a commonality among draft steals, undervalued guards lately

This guy worked out for the Celtics the other day:

Read on Twitter

[phincsfan]

I want the C's to do everything they can to get in the lottery this draft. I can't see getting in the top 3, but every other spot is possible. I think players like Richardson, Newell and Sorber could be solid foundational picks for when JT comes back. I think White is the move because I want the Jay's to stay together. Draft one of those 3 and give them heavy minutes next season.

White can get them the 9th or 10th pick.

[playa-hater]

I want the Big 7'2 kid from Duke. I can see him going anywhere between 4-10th pick. Might be a more mobile Rudy Gobert or Bigger Derick Lively. I want a true anchor and vertical spacer.

[djFan71]

I want the Big 7'2 kid from Duke. I can see him going anywhere between 4-10th pick. Might be a more mobile Rudy Gobert or Bigger Derick Lively. I want a true anchor and vertical spacer.

I'm pretty sure Luke went to Vanderbilt not Duke.

[playa-hater]

I want the Big 7'2 kid from Duke. I can see him going anywhere between 4-10th pick. Might be a more mobile Rudy Gobert or Bigger Derick Lively. I want a true anchor and vertical spacer.

I'm pretty sure Luke went to Vanderbilt not Duke.

[Hal14]

Javon Small shot 88% from the line this year. 89% from the line in conference. And 87% over his entire collegiate career

I like ft% as a touch indicator and just been a commonality among draft steals, undervalued guards lately

This guy worked out for the Celtics the other day:

Read on Twitter

And Small put up 7 assists, 3 steals, was 2/3 from 3 and was a +16 in his scrimmage yesterday at the combine.

He can play.

This game was a playmaking clinic by Small.

Watch on YouTube

Love the way he controls the tempo, runs the offense, facilitates. Distributes the basketball, finds the open man.

He's like a throwback..you don't see many pass-first PG's like him anymore. And he can shoot and defend, and has athleticism.

I'm sure Joe was able to help us get some good intel on him, being a West Virginia player..

We haven't really had a true PG like that since Rondo. Brogdon looked like he was gonna be like that in preseason when he was zipping slick passes all over the court, but then most of the season he was just looking for his own shot. White is a good passer but is more of a natural 2-guard. Jrue has had moments where he operates like a true PG but there's also been many times where they play him more as a wing..hitting corner 3's, posting up smaller guards, etc.

Would be nice to have a true PG floor general distributor type..to throw lobs and zip good passes to the Jays..

[Half-Full]

Tankathon mock draft has us selecting Ryan Kalkbrenner with pick #32. Here is a scouting report on him. Hmmm... reminds me of someone...

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/ryan-kalkbrenner-still-here-for-a

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Maxime Raynaud playing himself out the Celtics range. This is Bilal all over again
https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA_Draft/comments/1kmvdbb/stanfords_maxime_raynaud_performance_in_todays/