2024 NBA Draft Thread – (June 26 & 27)

[165bows]

Celtics just worked out Enrique Freeman, forward from Akron.

Krysten Peek, draft analyst of Yahoo Sports reported on No Ceilings podcast that Freeman has been killing workouts and she wouldn’t be surprised if he went first round, though she did not connect him to Boston.

Good to hear!

I made a couple posts awhile ago about Freeman..and how he looked really good in the combine scrimmages. Like his energy, motor..he's got size, can rebound, put the ball on the floor, he's improving as a shooter.

I was actually kind of surprised he wasn't yet on the list of guys we have had in for a workout. He seemed to fit the profile of some of the other PF/small ball 5 guys we had been bringing in, and older guys.

I don't think I buy him as a 1st round pick, but think he is a good flier to take in the 2nd round. I can see him possibly developing into a solid contributor off the bench as a backup 4, small ball 5 type of guy.. who can be kind of like Brissett but w/ more offensive skill..

This guy does think Freeman is a 1st round pick:

Read on Twitter

I'd be down with some modern day Anderson Varajeo energy.

They've said many times they really believe in their development process, so an older guy who prob hasn't had the same access but is still improving could have a lot of untapped potential.

[playa-hater]

Celtics just worked out Enrique Freeman, forward from Akron.

Krysten Peek, draft analyst of Yahoo Sports reported on No Ceilings podcast that Freeman has been killing workouts and she wouldn’t be surprised if he went first round, though she did not connect him to Boston.

Also mentioned rumored first round promises to Tyler Smith, Daron Holmes and Baylor Scheierman. Said Cam Christie and Justin Edwards also performing well in workouts and moving up boards.

At 39 minutes:

Watch on YouTube

Great puff piece on Freeman, he was the kid who was a walk-on.

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/05/23/enrique-freeman-the-most-interesting-player-in-2024-draft-class-akron/

These are BY FAR my favorite type of stories.. Good luck to that kid from here on out!

[Hal14]

Yeah, it's a cool story. Dude had to walk on at a mid major college. Was not mentioned in pretty much any draft discussions until like a few weeks ago. And now he might be a 1st round pick.

Very cool.

Also worth noting that Freeman was in for a pre-draft workout for the Celtics last year too. But decided to return to college for another year. So the fact that Boston brought him back in for a workout again this year likely means there's a decent level of interest..

[playa-hater]

My saying of there are Gems in every draft I believe Holds true even more this year. Dang.. still haven't figured out who I want most yet.

[playa-hater]

Yeah, it's a cool story. Dude had to walk on at a mid major college. Was not mentioned in pretty much any draft discussions until like a few weeks ago. And now he might be a 1st round pick.

Very cool.

As you said in the other post, I am not sure (YET) If I would want to spend a first on Freeman. But the flip side is he looks like such a good "glue" type of player that would be happy doing anything for Boston.

This is one where If Boston does draft him I will just trust Brad knows what he is doing.

[Kalela]

Tyler Smith..6'10 225 forward from the G league.. Just saw 2 mocks where he went into the second round.Although previously he's always been mid first round somewhere
Since we all know anything can happen come draft night, Any thoughts on him and his ability and fit with boston.?
I've been calling for an athletic big forward forever.. He certainly seems to have that Type of I would love..
I'm going to start looking at his game closely

I like this kid. Underrated prospect. I would be surprised if he is available where the Celtics draft though. The G League team he was on was terrible but he always stood out to me whenever I watched them.

[redslastlaugh]

Wiretap says New Orleans is considering it, trading down from 21 to add future 2nds.

I wonder if we may have trouble repeating last years brilliant haul, that the NBA is ready for it

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276056/Pelicans-Could-Move-Back-In-NBA-Draft-To-Pick-Up-Future-Seconds

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

[djFan71]

Wiretap says New Orleans is considering it, trading down from 21 to add future 2nds.

I wonder if we may have trouble repeating last years brilliant haul, that the NBA is ready for it

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276056/Pelicans-Could-Move-Back-In-NBA-Draft-To-Pick-Up-Future-Seconds

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

Yeah, WAS up and POR down are the 2 moves I've thought were the most reasonably feasible. And getting ahead of those same teams was my exact thinking as well (esp DEN and Danny). I didn't even think about being able to give WAS their pick back, though. That's a nice wrinkle.

Before the alleged Holmes promise he was my target for this. If he's gone and assumedly Da Silva as well, I'm not sure who I'd do it for. Maybe Tyson?

[phincsfan]

Wiretap says New Orleans is considering it, trading down from 21 to add future 2nds.

I wonder if we may have trouble repeating last years brilliant haul, that the NBA is ready for it

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276056/Pelicans-Could-Move-Back-In-NBA-Draft-To-Pick-Up-Future-Seconds

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

I'm sure the Wiz are trying to package that 26 with Poole and asking for a ham sandwich in return.

[redslastlaugh]

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

Yeah, WAS up and POR down are the 2 moves I've thought were the most reasonably feasible. And getting ahead of those same teams was my exact thinking as well (esp DEN and Danny). I didn't even think about being able to give WAS their pick back, though. That's a nice wrinkle.

Before the alleged Holmes promise he was my target for this. If he's gone and assumedly Da Silva as well, I'm not sure who I'd do it for. Maybe Tyson?

Actually, the 2025 WAS 2nd we have next year is even better than just owning WAS 2nd outright. We own whatever is the best 2nd out of WAS/DET/GSW seconds.

This was Dean Demakis post 2023 draft grade commentary:

38. Boston— Jordan Walsh: A++++

Jordan Walsh would have been an A pick at 25th overall as one of the best picks on the board, and this grade gets a + for every additional 2nd rounder that Brad Stevens scooped in 4 trades.

He ended up getting

—2024 Mavs 2nd (probably in the 40s)
—2025 best of WAS/DET/GSW 2nd (probably early 30s)
—2026 best of NOP/POR/NYK/MIN 2nd (probably 30s)
—2027 Atlanta 2nd (who knows where)

That is a monster haul when I had Jordan Walsh vying with Julian Phillips for best player available at the pick he traded down from.

https://deanondraft.substack.com/p/2023-draft-grades-pick-by-pick

But then I wonder if next years draft looks so much better, maybe save our seconds to be able to move up next year. I guess it depends who, if anyone, falls on draft night.

[phincsfan]

The C's worked out Freeman, Dillon Jones and Shead last year.

I like Sheierman if he showed defensive promise and I like Ajay Mitchell if Brad can move up in the 2nd.

[Hal14]

Wiretap says New Orleans is considering it, trading down from 21 to add future 2nds.

I wonder if we may have trouble repeating last years brilliant haul, that the NBA is ready for it

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276056/Pelicans-Could-Move-Back-In-NBA-Draft-To-Pick-Up-Future-Seconds

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Brad has been GM for 3 drafts now and he's made 0 1st round picks..let alone traded up higher in the 1st round..

And it's not just a Brad thing. It's extremely rare for any contender to trade up in the 1st round of the draft.

-Rumor has it, the Knicks are looking to trade their 1st round picks, as opposed to trading up
-The Bucks traded a bunch of 1st round picks, got Jrue, won a title
-Lakers traded 1st round picks, got AD, won the 2020 title
-Sixers traded their 1st rounder a couple yrs ago for De'Anthony Melton and rumor has it, they're looking to trade out of the 1st round this year as well
-The suns hate making 1st round picks as much as Brad does
-I don't recall any recent examples where a contender (or even a near-contender) traded up in the 1st round. The closest example I can come up with is Memphis in 2021, trading up from 17th pick to 10th pick. But the Grizzlies were only 38-34 (and a 1st round exit) the previous season, so by no means were they a contender. Trading up from 17 is certainly much different than trading up from 30.
-The Pelicans are looking to trade out of the 1st round this year:

Read on Twitter

[redslastlaugh]

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.
I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Brad has been GM for 3 drafts now and he's made 0 1st round picks..let alone traded up higher in the 1st round..

And it's not just a Brad thing. It's extremely rare for any contender to trade up in the 1st round of the draft.

I think you’re probably right that it’s unlikely that Brad will trade up, I doubt he will.

But there are certainly examples of a playoff team trading up or into the first round if a high rated prospect is sliding.

Famously the Spurs in 2011 traded a starter (George Hill) for the 15th pick to take Kawhi Leonard. That team had Prime Tony Parker and still-good TD and Manu.

So it does happen if the value is there.

[Gant]

Read on Twitter

[playa-hater]

Wiretap says New Orleans is considering it, trading down from 21 to add future 2nds.

I wonder if we may have trouble repeating last years brilliant haul, that the NBA is ready for it

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276056/Pelicans-Could-Move-Back-In-NBA-Draft-To-Pick-Up-Future-Seconds

Time to zag an trade up! Brad was just laying the framework for that last year to sucker everyone else into thinking it was the right thing to do.

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.

Next year is considered a great draft, Washington is expected to be in tank mode. But we have their next years’ 2nd round pick, likely to be 31-35, among the picks we got trading down last draft.

#30 plus giving WAS their 2025 2nd rounder back to get to 26, ahead of Minny, Denver and Danny Ainge?? If a prospect Brad has top 20 starts sliding, would he move up?? Could be doable, I dunno.

I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

Great idea.. although I am a bit jealous.I did not think of it first..

[djFan71]

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.
I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Brad has been GM for 3 drafts now and he's made 0 1st round picks..let alone traded up higher in the 1st round..

And it's not just a Brad thing. It's extremely rare for any contender to trade up in the 1st round of the draft.

I think you’re probably right that it’s unlikely that Brad will trade up, I doubt he will.

But there are certainly examples of a playoff team trading up or into the first round if a high rated prospect is sliding.

Famously the Spurs in 2011 traded a starter (George Hill) for the 15th pick to take Kawhi Leonard. That team had Prime Tony Parker and still-good TD and Manu.

So it does happen if the value is there.

Yeah, I think we all know the chance is low. But a) fun to talk about, and b) we might be in a special case.

We're a contending team with our top 6 set for the next year or more (depending on Al). With the new CBA and being above the 2nd apron, we don't have avenues to add top talent via trading 1st round picks without touching our top 6 due to not being able to aggregate salaries any more. We can only get PP money or less back.

Our options to add talent are a) low salary trades, b) vet min signings, c) the draft.

In that light, it could be slightly more possible we trade up to grab a guy we like - which sneakily also could add a higher salary (if we trade up high enough to matter). Again, I doubt it happens. And even if it does, it could be next year, etc. But, Hal, your comparisons from previous years don't apply AS much to our scenario as a new CBA 2nd apron team. Still valid, for sure, but you can see where the conditions have changed a little.

Side note: We all know I'd snatch up that Pellies offer, right???

[Hal14]

The one spot we might be able to move up to is WAS at 26.
I just don’t know that Brad would ever trade up tho.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Brad has been GM for 3 drafts now and he's made 0 1st round picks..let alone traded up higher in the 1st round..

And it's not just a Brad thing. It's extremely rare for any contender to trade up in the 1st round of the draft.

I think you’re probably right that it’s unlikely that Brad will trade up, I doubt he will.

But there are certainly examples of a playoff team trading up or into the first round if a high rated prospect is sliding.

Famously the Spurs in 2011 traded a starter (George Hill) for the 15th pick to take Kawhi Leonard. That team had Prime Tony Parker and still-good TD and Manu.

So it does happen if the value is there.

So there's only 1 example of it happening. And it was 13 years ago.

And the Spurs were also a 1st round exit the year before that, so they were more likely to make a bold move..and they also were in a position to try and reload the roster with a young, talented player since their Big 3 (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) were all getting deep into their 30's. So a much different position than the Celtics are in - likely winning the championship and led by a bunch of guys who are 26, 27, 28 and 29 (tatum, brown, KP, white).

[playa-hater]

No No No, everyone has it wrong.. Brad plays Chess not checkers. The one thing Brad has done more often than trading down or out is ...wait for it..... Surprise everyone!.. Just when you think you know you don't..

Brad may have traded down often but now he has his ammo to go for a kill..

#INBRADWETRUST

So on that note I will start digging up mid-level prospects and BOOM !

[playa-hater]

Players I like at or around 21 that probably won't be there at 30 most likely.

Not necessarily in Order. But Green has my edge at the moment

Tristan da Silva
Kel'el Ware
DaRon Holmes II
Kyshawn George
Johnny Furphy
Zach Edey
Jaylon Tyson

*still looking at others.

Is there one in the bunch who is clearly better than any other 30th pick talent? Maybe..If Brad targets one of them, then Go for it!

[redslastlaugh]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Brad has been GM for 3 drafts now and he's made 0 1st round picks..let alone traded up higher in the 1st round..

And it's not just a Brad thing. It's extremely rare for any contender to trade up in the 1st round of the draft.

I think you’re probably right that it’s unlikely that Brad will trade up, I doubt he will.

But there are certainly examples of a playoff team trading up or into the first round if a high rated prospect is sliding.

Yeah, I think we all know the chance is low. But a) fun to talk about, and b) we might be in a special case.

We're a contending team with our top 6 set for the next year or more (depending on Al). With the new CBA and being above the 2nd apron, we don't have avenues to add top talent via trading 1st round picks without touching our top 6 due to not being able to aggregate salaries any more. We can only get PP money or less back.

Our options to add talent are a) low salary trades, b) vet min signings, c) the draft.

{…}

Side note: We all know I'd snatch up that Pellies offer, right???

Interesting idea about the Pels pick.

I wonder what would be a fair offer for 21?

Like #30, the aforementioned 2025 WAS/DET/GSW 2nd, and like a far out Celtics 2nd, like in 2030 all for the Pellies #21 ??

Trading #41 for Jaden Springer takes away one pretty good 2nd we coulda used for draft day deals.

Summing up our draft assets tradeable on (or just after the draft):

2024 : #30 and #54
2025 : Our 1st, best of WAS/DET/GSW 2nd (probably early 30s)
2026 : Our first, best of NOP/POR/NYK/MIN 2nd (probably 30s)
2027 : Our first
2030 : Our second
2031 : Our first, our second

Plus draft rights to Yam Madar & Juhan Begarin.