2025 NBA Draft Thread, part 1 – Capture the Flagg

[Hal14]

I wouldn't hate it if we traded up for this guy:

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[phincsfan]

If Small is a target, and he should be, that 32nd pick could turn into other assets because he should go after 32.

His highlights are obviously highlights, but of anybody has time check out some full games. He’s a high iq player. WV should have been in the tourney and I understand why they turned down the NIT. But it would have been cool to see him in the tourney.

[Dogen]

I wouldn't hate it if we traded up for this guy:

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Spitballin' a trade because I think Houston could be a partner: Jrue + Hauser for Dillon Brooks + Cam Whitmore + #10 (Newell)

Houston gets upgrade for next two season run, keeps their core with extra vet help in Jrue and shooting in Hauser.

Boston gets ...(gulp) Brooks (brings some toughness to Celtics), a young talent in Whitmore that Houston is not playing -- and Asa Newell likely there at #10.

[Fierce1]

I don't know if Brad will do it or can do it, but Dylan Harper is worth trading for.

Harper's game is a good fit with Tatum.

[winsomme2]

I don't know if Brad will do it or can do it, but Dylan Harper is worth trading for.

Harper's game is a good fit with Tatum.

No idea what the price tag would be for Harper but I totally agree that he is the perfect compliment for Tatum and JB for that matter. He plays like Cade Cunningham with a ceiling of SGA. The question is how the physicality of the pros will affect his development.

Darryn Peterson in the next draft is a similar talent. How can we get one of these guys??

I keep coming back to ball handling and I think it is the skill that changes games. It's why I hope Brad takes a serious look at Tahaad Pettiford even though his size could be a problem. Ball handling is that important.

[brackdan70]

I don't know if Brad will do it or can do it, but Dylan Harper is worth trading for.

Harper's game is a good fit with Tatum.

I would have to think Spurs love the idea of him and Wemby being a force for a decade.

Cs best assets are White and Brown and if you trade them that makes the Bos 26 1st a good asset.
So a package around White, Brown and 2026 1st for 2nd pick…I was told there would be no fireworks lol.

[ThePigeon]

White + Brown + 1st round pick for Dylan Harper
He should be the second coming of Bird+Magic to garner this return

[Larry_Russell]

White + Brown + 1st round pick for Dylan Harper
He should be the second coming of Bird+Magic to garner this return

Grosss, GROSSS GROOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSS overpay.

[Larry_Russell]

I don't know if Brad will do it or can do it, but Dylan Harper is worth trading for.

Harper's game is a good fit with Tatum.

I would have to think Spurs love the idea of him and Wemby being a force for a decade.

Cs best assets are White and Brown and if you trade them that makes the Bos 26 1st a good asset.
So a package around White, Brown and 2026 1st for 2nd pick…I was told there would be no fireworks lol.

The deal will be
Brown to Spurs
Harper, Johnson and Barnes to Boston

Followup

Jrue to Dallas
Marshall, Gafford, Martin to Boston


Lineup 2025-26

Harper/Pritchard
White/Scheierman
Marshall/Martin/Hauser/Walsh
Johnson/Barnes
KP/Gafford/Kornet/Queta


Then shop Kristaps and Hauser for the final 14 million needed in cap savings.

[ddb]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum. Guys, Tatum is coming back! He's 27 years old and his max contract has a long way to go. This isn't a Kobe situation where he was much older, and the team was rebuilding.
Jaylen Brown is an All-Star in his prime. DWhite is a stud in his prime. Jrue Holiday is still a really good player with good basketball left in the tank. KP is still a really good player, when healthy. Pritchard is fresh off 6th man of the year. Sam Hauser is a knockdown shooter. Al Horford is still a rock-solid player.
Now, with all that said, I understand how the 2nd apron works, how the cap works, and how the tax works. I understand that Boston needs to do something to get under the 2nd apron. And they most likely will get below the 2nd apron. But why are we giving up? It's so hard to win back-to-back titles. Last year was pretty easy, but let's not forget that outside of the KP playoff injury, the Celts were healthy. And even an injured KP had a historic 1st quarter in game 1 of the finals. This year, even before Tatum went down, the Celtics were simply too injured to win a title. It wasn't happening. JB, Jrue, Hauser, KP all hobbled.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here, is I cannot imagine Brad Stevens is looking at this roster and thinking, "it's over". Rather, I'd imagine he's thinking, "how can I get us under the 2nd apron, but also get creative and find a way to bring in a diamond in the rough guy that can help us win games in Tatum's absence and help get us over the top once Tatum returns." DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF BRAD STEVENS FINDS ANOTHER DWHITE TYPE via TRADE. Meaning, impact guy.
Everyone is throwing Jrue, KP and JB trades into the trade machine. I could see maybe 1 of Jrue or KP dealt if the return gets the team under the apron and gets the team younger/more athletic.

[ddb]

I don't know if Brad will do it or can do it, but Dylan Harper is worth trading for.

Harper's game is a good fit with Tatum.

I would have to think Spurs love the idea of him and Wemby being a force for a decade.

Cs best assets are White and Brown and if you trade them that makes the Bos 26 1st a good asset.
So a package around White, Brown and 2026 1st for 2nd pick…I was told there would be no fireworks lol.

The deal will be
Brown to Spurs
Harper, Johnson and Barnes to Boston

Followup

Jrue to Dallas
Marshall, Gafford, Martin to Boston


Lineup 2025-26

Harper/Pritchard
White/Scheierman
Marshall/Martin/Hauser/Walsh
Johnson/Barnes
KP/Gafford/Kornet/Queta


Then shop Kristaps and Hauser for the final 14 million needed in cap savings.

I only think the Spurs would send out #2 if it meant landing Giannis. I cannot see them sending out #2 for Brown. We have to remember that San Antonio does not need to rush anything. Harper fits their timeline. A core of Fox/Castle/Harper/Wemby will be interesting next season and then has the potential to be dominate in the near future.

[ddb]

just a from a pure draft standpoint, really like Edgecombe

[Celts17Pride]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum.

This is exactly what people don't understand. It took 4-5 years for Tatum to become Jayson Tatum. Same thing for Jaylen Brown. Tatum is in the prime of his career, he is not waiting 4-5 years.

[Celts17Pride]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum. Guys, Tatum is coming back! He's 27 years old and his max contract has a long way to go. This isn't a Kobe situation where he was much older, and the team was rebuilding.
Jaylen Brown is an All-Star in his prime. DWhite is a stud in his prime. Jrue Holiday is still a really good player with good basketball left in the tank. KP is still a really good player, when healthy. Pritchard is fresh off 6th man of the year. Sam Hauser is a knockdown shooter. Al Horford is still a rock-solid player.
Now, with all that said, I understand how the 2nd apron works, how the cap works, and how the tax works. I understand that Boston needs to do something to get under the 2nd apron. And they most likely will get below the 2nd apron. But why are we giving up? It's so hard to win back-to-back titles. Last year was pretty easy, but let's not forget that outside of the KP playoff injury, the Celts were healthy. And even an injured KP had a historic 1st quarter in game 1 of the finals. This year, even before Tatum went down, the Celtics were simply too injured to win a title. It wasn't happening. JB, Jrue, Hauser, KP all hobbled.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here, is I cannot imagine Brad Stevens is looking at this roster and thinking, "it's over". Rather, I'd imagine he's thinking, "how can I get us under the 2nd apron, but also get creative and find a way to bring in a diamond in the rough guy that can help us win games in Tatum's absence and help get us over the top once Tatum returns." DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF BRAD STEVENS FINDS ANOTHER DWHITE TYPE via TRADE. Meaning, impact guy.
Everyone is throwing Jrue, KP and JB trades into the trade machine. I could see maybe 1 of Jrue or KP dealt if the return gets the team under the apron and gets the team younger/more athletic.

It wouldn't shock me if Stevens just moved Porzingis and Hauser. Moving Hauser makes sense because you already have his replacement on the roster in Baylor Scheierman.

[Hal14]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum. Guys, Tatum is coming back! He's 27 years old and his max contract has a long way to go. This isn't a Kobe situation where he was much older, and the team was rebuilding.
Jaylen Brown is an All-Star in his prime. DWhite is a stud in his prime. Jrue Holiday is still a really good player with good basketball left in the tank. KP is still a really good player, when healthy. Pritchard is fresh off 6th man of the year. Sam Hauser is a knockdown shooter. Al Horford is still a rock-solid player.
Now, with all that said, I understand how the 2nd apron works, how the cap works, and how the tax works. I understand that Boston needs to do something to get under the 2nd apron. And they most likely will get below the 2nd apron. But why are we giving up? It's so hard to win back-to-back titles. Last year was pretty easy, but let's not forget that outside of the KP playoff injury, the Celts were healthy. And even an injured KP had a historic 1st quarter in game 1 of the finals. This year, even before Tatum went down, the Celtics were simply too injured to win a title. It wasn't happening. JB, Jrue, Hauser, KP all hobbled.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here, is I cannot imagine Brad Stevens is looking at this roster and thinking, "it's over". Rather, I'd imagine he's thinking, "how can I get us under the 2nd apron, but also get creative and find a way to bring in a diamond in the rough guy that can help us win games in Tatum's absence and help get us over the top once Tatum returns." DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF BRAD STEVENS FINDS ANOTHER DWHITE TYPE via TRADE. Meaning, impact guy.
Everyone is throwing Jrue, KP and JB trades into the trade machine. I could see maybe 1 of Jrue or KP dealt if the return gets the team under the apron and gets the team younger/more athletic.

It wouldn't shock me if Stevens just moved Porzingis and Hauser. Moving Hauser makes sense because you already have his replacement on the roster in Baylor Scheierman.

I don't think that gets us under the 2nd apron, does it?

Wyc said we're getting under the 2nd apron..

Think Jrue might be gone as well..

[ddb]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum.

This is exactly what people don't understand. It took 4-5 years for Tatum to become Jayson Tatum. Same thing for Jaylen Brown. Tatum is in the prime of his career, he is not waiting 4-5 years.

100%. I truly believe that Brad Stevens is the man for this job in this moment in time. I have complete faith that he will figure out ways to fix the tax stuff while also adding/subtracting pieces that will ultimately lead to Boston being a prime contender for the 26-27 season. I think it's completely justifiable to take a step back in order to take 2 steps forward for when Tatum is good to go.

And I'm just throwing this out there as a hypothetical, and this will never happen, but if he was a complete prick who only cared about winning, Brad could simply trade Jayson Tatum for Giannis right after July 6th when JT becomes eligible to be dealt.
In that unlikely scenario, you move Hauser to get under the 2nd apron and in a weak East you try to win another title next season. Just saying, it's possible.

Jrue/White/JB/Giannis/KP
PP/BS/Horford/Kornet

[Celts17Pride]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum.

This is exactly what people don't understand. It took 4-5 years for Tatum to become Jayson Tatum. Same thing for Jaylen Brown. Tatum is in the prime of his career, he is not waiting 4-5 years.

100%. I truly believe that Brad Stevens is the man for this job in this moment in time. I have complete faith that he will figure out ways to fix the tax stuff while also adding/subtracting pieces that will ultimately lead to Boston being a prime contender for the 26-27 season. I think it's completely justifiable to take a step back in order to take 2 steps forward for when Tatum is good to go.

And I'm just throwing this out there as a hypothetical, and this will never happen, but if he was a complete prick who only cared about winning, Brad could simply trade Jayson Tatum for Giannis right after July 6th when JT becomes eligible to be dealt.
In that unlikely scenario, you move Hauser to get under the 2nd apron and in a weak East you try to win another title next season. Just saying, it's possible.

Jrue/White/JB/Giannis/KP
PP/BS/Horford/Kornet

I don't think Tatum would do this over the next 2-3 years but if you get to like 2027/2028 and Tatum has 2 years left on his contract and the Celtics are a 35-45 win team, I could easily see Tatum asking out like Giannis will probably do this year. Tatum would be 30 years old and would see his opportunities to win another championship dwindling. I do agree, I trust Brad Stevens to maneuver this situation.

[Hal14]

Guess we won't be drafting this guy lol

Read on Twitter

[Curmudgeon]

The Celtics need to get one of Wolf, Raynaud or Kalkbrenner with pick 28 or 32.

[return2glory]

I'm seeing a ton of nuclear bomb trades that would completely end any and all shots the Celtics would have at another title with Jayson Tatum. Guys, Tatum is coming back! He's 27 years old and his max contract has a long way to go. This isn't a Kobe situation where he was much older, and the team was rebuilding.
Jaylen Brown is an All-Star in his prime. DWhite is a stud in his prime. Jrue Holiday is still a really good player with good basketball left in the tank. KP is still a really good player, when healthy. Pritchard is fresh off 6th man of the year. Sam Hauser is a knockdown shooter. Al Horford is still a rock-solid player.
Now, with all that said, I understand how the 2nd apron works, how the cap works, and how the tax works. I understand that Boston needs to do something to get under the 2nd apron. And they most likely will get below the 2nd apron. But why are we giving up? It's so hard to win back-to-back titles. Last year was pretty easy, but let's not forget that outside of the KP playoff injury, the Celts were healthy. And even an injured KP had a historic 1st quarter in game 1 of the finals. This year, even before Tatum went down, the Celtics were simply too injured to win a title. It wasn't happening. JB, Jrue, Hauser, KP all hobbled.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here, is I cannot imagine Brad Stevens is looking at this roster and thinking, "it's over". Rather, I'd imagine he's thinking, "how can I get us under the 2nd apron, but also get creative and find a way to bring in a diamond in the rough guy that can help us win games in Tatum's absence and help get us over the top once Tatum returns." DO NOT BE SURPRISED IF BRAD STEVENS FINDS ANOTHER DWHITE TYPE via TRADE. Meaning, impact guy.
Everyone is throwing Jrue, KP and JB trades into the trade machine. I could see maybe 1 of Jrue or KP dealt if the return gets the team under the apron and gets the team younger/more athletic.

Good to see you posting again. Great post.

People want to blow up this team. No loyalty. That's why I said a few posts ago that I'm glad none of these posters are the GM of the Celtics. I say that with love and respect. Leave it to Brad. He will put this team in a position to get back to the top, not rebuild. It's not going to be easy, but it can be done.