2023 NBA Draft – Thurs, 8PM, June 22

[Hal14]

I figure Leonard Miller will probably end up going 1st round. But if we get 33rd pick and he's still there, he's an intriguing option.

Not many guys with his skill set at 6'10" who are only 19. Can operate as the roll man or the ball handler out of the PnR. Rare to see a guy who can do either, who's only 19.

Many consider the shooting to be a weakness for him, but he's got really good touch near the rim and on floaters and stuff.

And look at the improvement he made from 3 as the season went on:

First 23 games: 26.2%
Last 15 games = 38.7%

He's kind of a project and kind of raw. But there's a high ceiling there too. Plays hard, high motor.

When you watch this, remember - he's only 19 and he's playing in the g league, which is a step above the NCAA in terms of competition.

Watch on YouTube

[playa-hater]

Even drafting a 2 is probably not best. On a team where Brown D White and hopefully soon Begarin, there will be Zero playing time. Where as a Bigger player can easily get time to develop over Blake, Kornet and possibly over Grant if he walks.. That and Tatum and Hauser are our only Bigger Wings..

My Idea; scenario would be a 3-4 combo and a athletic Big.

I hear ya. And out of the 4 positions, 2 is the one I'm least interested in.

But more than likely, we're not drafting a guy who's gonna contribute anything in year 1. You're likely looking at someone who won't contribute till year 2 - or even year 3. By that time, we may have different needs on the roster.

And Begarin might come over at some point but there's also a chance that he never comes over. He's got to figure his shot out. Last 3 seasons:

2023 26.9% from 3
2022 30.9% from 3
2021 34.2% from 3

His shooting has gotten worse each year..

With that being said, if we got a 2, you're ideally getting a guy who can play both the 2 and the 3..

Seeing Begarin live the other day was eye opening. He couldn't even make shots consistently in warm ups. Maybe Ben Sullivan can work some magic on him and turn him into a NBA level shooter but I wouldn't hold my breath. It's a shame too because the rest of his game would absolutely translate.

The Celtics front office really shouldn't operate under the assumption that they need to keep a roster spot open to make room for Begarin next year or further down the line.

The Bold is why I had advocated for keeping Begarin state-side this past summer. Playing on a 2 way with the G League would have enabled us to keep a close eye on him.. help him develop his shot more/better with NBA level trainers/coaches. No offense to his current Euro team, but I doubt they have the same level of trainers/coaches and facilities as Boston +G League.

As stated, If Begarin can do everything well BUT shoot, then he will still end up barely playable.

[Hal14]

More Bobi Klintman propoganda:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

I like the way he describes his game. A "modern wing" and he's 6'10"

Read on Twitter

Really like him as a potential 2nd round sleeper pick.

Keeping a close eye to see if he declares for the draft or returns to school for another year..

[djFan71]

Remaining schedules:

HOU: DET, LAL, DEN, @CHA, @WIZ
SAS: @GSW, @SAC, @PHO, POR, MIN, DAL

Some winnable games for HOU (esp tomorrow v DET). But that POR, DAL 2 of last 3 for SAS could just tankalicious. Nobody will want to win those. Hopefully, Kyrie has some pride and.... nope, nvm. Can't do it.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Remaining schedules:

HOU: DET, LAL, DEN, @CHA, @WIZ
SAS: @GSW, @SAC, @PHO, POR, MIN, DAL

Some winnable games for HOU (esp tomorrow v DET). But that POR, DAL 2 of last 3 for SAS could just tankalicious. Nobody will want to win those. Hopefully, Kyrie has some pride and.... nope, nvm. Can't do it.

Denver could have the number 1 seed locked up by the time that game rolls around. Hopefully they'll rest some guys.

[Hal14]

Keeping a close eye on whether Jordan Walsh declares for the draft. He could be a really solid pickup if we have a pick in the 33-40 range and he's still there.

Wouldn't hate it at all if we can snag him.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Good chance he is gone in the first 32 picks though, so not getting my hopes up too much. But Walsh is a dog - and he literally just turned 19 so plenty of upside.

The downside? He shot 28% from 3. The mechanics aren't bad. The FT% wasn't too bad (71%). Just needs to keep putting in the reps and some NBA level coaching will help.

[165bows]

Keeping a close eye on whether Jordan Walsh declares for the draft. He could be a really solid pickup if we have a pick in the 33-40 range and he's still there.

Wouldn't hate it at all if we can snag him.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Good chance he is gone in the first 32 picks though, so not getting my hopes up too much. But Walsh is a dog - and he literally just turned 19 so plenty of upside.

The downside? He shot 28% from 3. The mechanics aren't bad. The FT% wasn't too bad (71%). Just needs to keep putting in the reps and some NBA level coaching will help.

Hadn’t seen this site before but it’s got some interesting takes on Walsh. Thinking about it more he does fit a general MO they’ve used for their second round picks.

Ie, very young athletes with potential and a bunch of time and need for growth in their skills.

https://theswishtheory.com/scouting-reports/jordan-walsh/#long-form-report

[playa-hater]

Every year Some players shoot up the draft boards.. When some go up others have to be pushed down... And the center position is often overlooked in this day and era of basketball... I'm really hoping one of the 1st round talents can slide to us early in the 2nd... No offense to Blake Griffin cornett and whom ever.... I really want A young talented replacement...

[Memokerobi]

Rockets win vs Detroit to tie SAS in the win column. Spurs hanging with the Warriors through 2 but the Dubs should win

[djFan71]

Rockets win vs Detroit to tie SAS in the win column. Spurs hanging with the Warriors through 2 but the Dubs should win

And POR passed ORL by losing while the Magic beat the Wiz. 33 and 35 still on the table.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

The new CBA is going to increase the number of two way players from 2 to 3. That should really give the Celtics more flexibility to pick a guy that won't be stashed and still avoid a roster crunch.

Good results from Houston and Portland as well so a great night overall.

[Hal14]

I like Eli N'Diaye as a potential draft and stash guy for next year.

Watch on YouTube

Tell me that he doesn't at least kind of look like KD in some of these clips, like the play at 4:31 and 4:45 for example.

Crazy thing is, he's only 17 in these clips. But turns 19 next year so is eligible for 2023 draft.

6'8" now - might not be done growing..

Watch on YouTube

Like Eli N'Diaye as a potential 2nd round draft and stash.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

6'9". Doesn't turn 19 till the end of June. Plays for Real Madrid, which is arguably the best pro team in the world that's not in the NBA - they play in the EuroLeague, the best league in the world, outside of the NBA. And he gets to battle everyday in practice against teammates Edy Tavares and Vincent Poirier, 2 of the best big men in Europe (both former NBA players).

Still raw on both ends of the floor. And still very young. So likely would get stashed for a year or 2.

But the long term upside is a guy who could legit make all-defense team. Defensively, he's got the potential to be a mix of Usman Garuba, Jarred Vanderbilt and Timelord.

But at a young age, he has already shown some intriguing driving/shooting/pass flashes for a raw big man. So he could end up with more ball skills than those guys.

Read on Twitter

The potential is there to play the 4 or the 5.

[playa-hater]

For what it's worth the big kid on UCONN looks like Kornet part 2

2 Kornets better than one

[djFan71]

I'm currently on the Pritchard and 35 for something in the 20s to get Clowney train. Possibly GG Jackson.

BKN or IND both have multiple picks in the 20s and those type of trade backs actually happen. More so if it was just 33 & 35 instead of Pritch, but I'd prefer the Pritchard version.... I'd do 33 & 35 as well, though.

[djFan71]

^^^ Also, POR an option at 19. They'd have their lotto pick already, get the home state hero to add to their collection of short guards and their own pick back. Probably takes all 3 in that scenario tho - PP, 33 & 35.

[Hal14]

I'm currently on the Pritchard and 35 for something in the 20s to get Clownley train. Possibly GG Jackson.

BKN or IND both have multiple picks in the 20s and those type of trade backs actually happen. More so if it was just 33 & 35 instead of Pritch, but I'd prefer the Pritchard version.... I'd do 33 & 35 as well, though.

I am high on both Clowney and GG.

Don't get my hopes up, thinking we might actually get GG haha. He's #10 on my big board.

They're different players, obviously. Clowney is a better defender, rim protector, rebounder and less skilled/dynamic offensively. GG is less of a rim protector/rebounder/defender than Clowney but could legit average 20 PPG in the NBA one day.

GG could develop into a stud.

I don't want to get my hopes up, though. It's at least a possibility that we could flip Pritchard (probably have to include other assets) to move into the 1st round. But I doubt it happens. The M.O. since Brad took over has been trading picks, acquiring vets and trying to swing on young athletic guys with some upside in the 2nd round.

[djFan71]

I'm currently on the Pritchard and 35 for something in the 20s to get Clownley train. Possibly GG Jackson.

BKN or IND both have multiple picks in the 20s and those type of trade backs actually happen. More so if it was just 33 & 35 instead of Pritch, but I'd prefer the Pritchard version.... I'd do 33 & 35 as well, though.

I am high on both Clowney and GG.

Don't get my hopes up, thinking we might actually get GG haha. He's #10 on my big board.

They're different players, obviously. Clowney is a better defender, rim protector, rebounder and less skilled/dynamic offensively. GG is less of a rim protector/rebounder/defender than Clowney but could legit average 20 PPG in the NBA one day.

GG could develop into a stud.

I don't want to get my hopes up, though. It's at least a possibility that we could flip Pritchard (probably have to include other assets) to move into the 1st round. But I doubt it happens. The M.O. since Brad took over has been trading picks, acquiring vets and trying to swing on young athletic guys with some upside in the 2nd round.

Same (on hopes/doubt it happens), but too late for me and Clowney, lol. He's my this draft's Claxton level binkie at this point. Tho with Nic, we had the picks in hand already, just didnt use them on him.

[Hal14]

I'm currently on the Pritchard and 35 for something in the 20s to get Clownley train. Possibly GG Jackson.

BKN or IND both have multiple picks in the 20s and those type of trade backs actually happen. More so if it was just 33 & 35 instead of Pritch, but I'd prefer the Pritchard version.... I'd do 33 & 35 as well, though.

I am high on both Clowney and GG.

Don't get my hopes up, thinking we might actually get GG haha. He's #10 on my big board.

They're different players, obviously. Clowney is a better defender, rim protector, rebounder and less skilled/dynamic offensively. GG is less of a rim protector/rebounder/defender than Clowney but could legit average 20 PPG in the NBA one day.

GG could develop into a stud.

I don't want to get my hopes up, though. It's at least a possibility that we could flip Pritchard (probably have to include other assets) to move into the 1st round. But I doubt it happens. The M.O. since Brad took over has been trading picks, acquiring vets and trying to swing on young athletic guys with some upside in the 2nd round.

Same (on hopes/doubt it happens), but too late for me and Clownley, lol. He's my this draft's Claxton level binkie at this point. Tho with Nic, we had the picks in hand already, just didnt use them on him.

Yeah I think Clowney could be like Claxton on the defensive end. On offense, he's shown enough flashes of shooting (in college and in HS) and occasionally attacking closeouts from the perimeter that he could be more dynamic offensively than him.

I'm hoping we get the 33rd pick and he falls to us..

[djFan71]

I am high on both Clowney and GG.

Don't get my hopes up, thinking we might actually get GG haha. He's #10 on my big board.

They're different players, obviously. Clowney is a better defender, rim protector, rebounder and less skilled/dynamic offensively. GG is less of a rim protector/rebounder/defender than Clowney but could legit average 20 PPG in the NBA one day.

GG could develop into a stud.

I don't want to get my hopes up, though. It's at least a possibility that we could flip Pritchard (probably have to include other assets) to move into the 1st round. But I doubt it happens. The M.O. since Brad took over has been trading picks, acquiring vets and trying to swing on young athletic guys with some upside in the 2nd round.

Same (on hopes/doubt it happens), but too late for me and Clownley, lol. He's my this draft's Claxton level binkie at this point. Tho with Nic, we had the picks in hand already, just didnt use them on him.

Yeah I think Clowney could be like Claxton on the defensive end. On offense, he's shown enough flashes of shooting (in college and in HS) and occasionally attacking closeouts from the perimeter that he could be more dynamic offensively than him.

I'm hoping we get the 33rd pick and he falls to us..

I was hoping Claxton fell to 33rd.... But Nets got him at 31 and we got Edwards.
Actually, I was fully prepared to take him 14, or either of the picks in the 20s. But after the trade, I was really, really hoping to get him at 33. Alas, at least we have that CLE preseason game to remember.

[Kalela]

For what it's worth the big kid on UCONN looks like Kornet part 2

Clingan? I think more highly of him than most but I can see him being a future first-round pick. The kid moves well for someone his size and his ability to read the game defensively is pretty good.