2023 NBA Draft – Thurs, 8PM, June 22

[playa-hater]

as I'm starting to look into prospects more at this time I'm coming to the realization all the players that I think I want will be going ahead of our pick 33..

PP sign and trade Grant Williams and our 33rd to get in the mid twenties I pray..

Literally Brad Stevens' statue is on the line with this.. Make it happen or else..

[Hal14]

as I'm starting to look into prospects more at this time I'm coming to the realization all the players that I think I want will be going ahead of our pick 33..

PP sign and trade Grant Williams and our 33rd to get in the mid twenties I pray..

Literally Brad Stevens' statue is on the line with this.. Make it happen or else..

Why, who do you want that you don't think will be there? Lively and Nnaji? Lively will definitely be gone.

Nnaji there's a good chance he'll be gone. A slight chance he's still there - especially if we get 33 rather than 345.

Bona, there's a good chance he'll still be there. He just had shoulder surgery so won't be able to do any predraft workouts and is aiming for a return date in October. So that hurts his stock.

I saw a mock today that had Clowney going at pick 38.

IMO, this is a very deep draft. You can get a good player at 33 or 35. Hell, there's 60 or even 70 good players in this draft.

[playa-hater]

as I'm starting to look into prospects more at this time I'm coming to the realization all the players that I think I want will be going ahead of our pick 33..

PP sign and trade Grant Williams and our 33rd to get in the mid twenties I pray..

Literally Brad Stevens' statue is on the line with this.. Make it happen or else..

Why, who do you want that you don't think will be there? Lively and Nnaji? Lively will definitely be gone.

Nnaji there's a good chance he'll be gone. A slight chance he's still there - especially if we get 33 rather than 345.

Bona, there's a good chance he'll still be there. He just had shoulder surgery so won't be able to do any predraft workouts and is aiming for a return date in October. So that hurts his stock.

I saw a mock today that had Clowney going at pick 38.

IMO, this is a very deep draft. You can get a good player at 33 or 35. Hell, there's 60 or even 70 good players in this draft.

Don't think there are "60-70 good players" but there are some for sure. Almost every good Big 3 man 4 or 5 types are going off the board it seems.. Yes it is early. But as I posted already, I want no part of another 6'6 and smaller player. Unless we are trading Brown for another position, there is no chance any young guard/wing gets any experience in the next few years.

We have a PG who got a triple double in his only start and can't get off the bench in most games. Get a talented "bigger" player and develop him.

I love PP but Jaden Mcdaniels was sitting right there.

Just about every draft there are some good Big men who go in RD 2 and we never draft any.. No more Begarins, Edwards, Yams please..

Ill make my top 5 wish list when I see most/all of the prospects

[Hal14]

as I'm starting to look into prospects more at this time I'm coming to the realization all the players that I think I want will be going ahead of our pick 33..

PP sign and trade Grant Williams and our 33rd to get in the mid twenties I pray..

Literally Brad Stevens' statue is on the line with this.. Make it happen or else..

Why, who do you want that you don't think will be there? Lively and Nnaji? Lively will definitely be gone.

Nnaji there's a good chance he'll be gone. A slight chance he's still there - especially if we get 33 rather than 345.

Bona, there's a good chance he'll still be there. He just had shoulder surgery so won't be able to do any predraft workouts and is aiming for a return date in October. So that hurts his stock.

I saw a mock today that had Clowney going at pick 38.

IMO, this is a very deep draft. You can get a good player at 33 or 35. Hell, there's 60 or even 70 good players in this draft.

Almost every good Big 3 man 4 or 5 types are going off the board it seems.. Yes it is early. But as I posted already, I want no part of another 6'6 and smaller player. Unless we are trading Brown for another position, there is no chance any young guard/wing gets any experience in the next few years.

We have a PG who got a triple double in his only start and can't get off the bench in most games. Get a talented "bigger" player and develop him.

I love PP but Jaden Mcdaniels was sitting right there.

Just about every draft there are some good Big men who go in RD 2 and we never draft any.. No more Begarins, Edwards, Yams please..

Ill make my top 5 wish list when I see most/all of the prospects

Fair enough.

4's and 5's who could be on the board still for our pick:

Kris Murray
James Nnaji
Noah Clowney
Adem Bona
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Bobi Klintman
Tristan Vukcevic
Kobe Brown
Eli N'Diaye
Zach Edey
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Aliou Diarra
Jalen Slawson

The first 6 guys are 1st round caliber prospects, imo. The rest are guys you could take in the 2nd round who have potential to be solid NBA players.

[playa-hater]

The player I really want is Lively. Best defensive anchor in the draft. Would help solve a lot of problems. May not even fall close enough to trade up for.. But until then he is my number one hopeful target.

[Hal14]

The player I really want is Lively. Best defensive anchor in the draft. Would help solve a lot of problems. May not even fall close enough to trade up for.. But until then he is my number one hopeful target.

I'd love to get him. He's gonna be really good in the league. #12 player on my big board right now.

But yeah, like you said - probably will go so high that we won't even be able to trade up to get him. I doubt we trade up and if we do, the highest we get is probably 24 or *maybe* 23.

Lively will likely be gone by pick 20 at the latest. So I guess you never know? We can dream..

[return2glory]

The player I really want is Lively. Best defensive anchor in the draft. Would help solve a lot of problems. May not even fall close enough to trade up for.. But until then he is my number one hopeful target.

Reminds me too much of WCS, who I never liked as a player. Great athlete, no offensive skills. The may difference will be if Lively loves basketball, if he is a hard worker and if wants to get better. Celtics have been good at finding out that info.

I will take Zack Eddy. Not anything close to Lively athletically, but he is bigger, stronger and has a really good post game. Also Eddy is a hard worker, there is no doubt about that following him for the past 2 seasons.

[playa-hater]

The player I really want is Lively. Best defensive anchor in the draft. Would help solve a lot of problems. May not even fall close enough to trade up for.. But until then he is my number one hopeful target.

Reminds me too much of WCS, who I never liked as a player. Great athlete, no offensive skills. The may difference will be if Lively loves basketball, if he is a hard worker and if wants to get better. Celtics have been good at finding out that info.

I will take Zack Eddy. Not anything close to Lively athletically, but he is bigger, stronger and has a really good post game. Also Eddy is a hard worker, there is no doubt about that following him for the past 2 seasons.

Not a bad comparable and you may be right. But I am hoping guessing that Lively being bigger and much longer will be a steadier defensive anchor where as I never really saw that in WCS

[return2glory]

The player I really want is Lively. Best defensive anchor in the draft. Would help solve a lot of problems. May not even fall close enough to trade up for.. But until then he is my number one hopeful target.

Reminds me too much of WCS, who I never liked as a player. Great athlete, no offensive skills. The may difference will be if Lively loves basketball, if he is a hard worker and if wants to get better. Celtics have been good at finding out that info.

I will take Zack Eddy. Not anything close to Lively athletically, but he is bigger, stronger and has a really good post game. Also Eddy is a hard worker, there is no doubt about that following him for the past 2 seasons.

Not a bad comparable and you may be right. But I am hoping guessing that Lively being bigger and much longer will be a steadier defensive anchor where as I never really saw that in WCS

If he is there when we pick and Brad wants him, I will trust it because I'm hoping they have checked on his the type of person he is as far as work ethic.

[leper-con]

Have we started to bring in prospects yet.
.

[playa-hater]

Have we started to bring in prospects yet.
.

I could be wrong but I thought stuff like that usually happens after a draft combine..

[snowman]

I don't expect Brad to go for a big in this draft. We have Big Al, Rob (who I expect will move into the starters spot in a one big lineup next year), Gallo, Muscala, Grant (if resigned), Blake (if resigned), Kornet (if contract guaranteed) and Kabengele (expecting him to be our big added to the roster if one of the listed not brought back) for next year. Guard rotation is one of the best in the league, so much so that we can't find minutes for Pritchard (who likely will be traded) or JD (who will take Pritchard's roster spot if he is moved).

I really see us taking a small forward, somewhere between the size as Brown and Tatum. I expect the player taken to be between 6'6 and 6'9 that is athletic and can defend. I'm looking at Bilal Caulibaly, Jalen Wilson, Jaime Jaquez Jr (we can have our own JJJ) or someone along those lines.

I really like Jalen Wilson. Great size at 6'8, 225. Only downside I see is he'll be 23 by draft time, but looks like a smart player, and good shooter. He made 3 or more 3's in 13 games this past season. Very few players can say that at his size from last year, and most of them are slotted to go in the lottery. Reminds me of Seddiq Bey coming out of school, but bigger, and I was one of the ones wanted Bey more than Nesmith.

[Kalela]

I really like Jalen Wilson. Great size at 6'8, 225. Only downside I see is he'll be 23 by draft time, but looks like a smart player, and good shooter. He made 3 or more 3's in 13 games this past season. Very few players can say that at his size from last year, and most of them are slotted to go in the lottery.

I am with you here. His age shouldn't deter anyone from drafting him. He is a really good player. Will probably go higher than where the Celtics draft despite his age.

[b3n]

I don't expect Brad to go for a big in this draft. We have Big Al, Rob (who I expect will move into the starters spot in a one big lineup next year), Gallo, Muscala, Grant (if resigned), Blake (if resigned), Kornet (if contract guaranteed) and Kabengele (expecting him to be our big added to the roster if one of the listed not brought back) for next year. Guard rotation is one of the best in the league, so much so that we can't find minutes for Pritchard (who likely will be traded) or JD (who will take Pritchard's roster spot if he is moved).

I really see us taking a small forward, somewhere between the size as Brown and Tatum. I expect the player taken to be between 6'6 and 6'9 that is athletic and can defend. I'm looking at Bilal Caulibaly, Jalen Wilson, Jaime Jaquez Jr (we can have our own JJJ) or someone along those lines.

I really like Jalen Wilson. Great size at 6'8, 225. Only downside I see is he'll be 23 by draft time, but looks like a smart player, and good shooter. He made 3 or more 3's in 13 games this past season. Very few players can say that at his size from last year, and most of them are slotted to go in the lottery. Reminds me of Seddiq Bey coming out of school, but bigger, and I was one of the ones wanted Bey more than Nesmith.

Agreed. I was also in favor of Bey over Nesmith. Jalen Wilson, Dariq Whitehead, & Jordan Walsh are on my short list.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I tried to find recent mock drafts/big boards to see what the consensus is around where the Celtics will pick.

ESPN
33. Trayce Jackson-Davis
34. Dillon Mitchell
35. Sidy Cissoko

CBS Sports
33. Kevin McCullar Jr.
34. Sidy Cissoko
35. Marcus Sasser

Tankathon
33. Bilal Coulibaly
34. Jalen Wilson
35. Jaime Jaquez Jr.

NBA Draft Room
33. Dariq Whitehead
34. Marcus Sasser
35. Jalen Wilson

The Ringer
33. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
34. Leonard Miller
35. Terquavion Smith

Bleacher Report
33. Judah Mintz
34. Marcus Sasser
35. Trayce Jackson-Davis

NBADraft.net
33. Bilal Coulibaly
34. Brandin Podziemski
35. Amari Bailey

Box and One
33. Olivier Maxence-Prosper
34. Adem Bona
35. Oso Ighodaro

[Larry_Russell]

Looking at this logically, this is our lineup next season

Smart/Pritchard/Yam
White/Brogdon/Begarin
Brown/??/Hauser
Tatum/Gallo/??
Timelord/Horford/Muscala

Assuming that Yam and Begarin come over what is truely needed is a LEGIT backup SF and a young bigman,

In an ideal world a healthy Rob Williams (but maybe a young insurance policy)

I think we can address the backup SF issue and maybe even a vet PG with a grant williams sign and trade
and the draft will be a bigman,

A PF/C type who can grab a few minutes here and there at either positions.

[sam_I_am]

Looking at this logically, this is our lineup next season

Smart/Pritchard/Yam
White/Brogdon/Begarin
Brown/??/Hauser
Tatum/Gallo/??
Timelord/Horford/Muscala

Assuming that Yam and Begarin come over what is truely needed is a LEGIT backup SF and a young bigman,

In an ideal world a healthy Rob Williams (but maybe a young insurance policy)

I think we can address the backup SF issue and maybe even a vet PG with a grant williams sign and trade
and the draft will be a bigman,

A PF/C type who can grab a few minutes here and there at either positions.

I don’t think Yam is an NBA talent. I also think PP forces his way out, which is unfortunate. I think the Celtics will match Grant if only to preserve the salary slot due to loss of MLE.

I see roster as:

Smart, White,JD
White, Brogdon, Begarin
Brown, Hauser, Begarin
Tatum, Gallo
Horford, Timelord, Muscala, Kornet

Will Champaign stick around? Will a second round pick make the team? Will PP get us a player or a future 2nd round pick? Will Blake come back for another year?

Vet minimum ring chaser - hopefully a versatile athletic Rudy Gay/Jeff Green type if there is a serviceable one available.

[Hal14]

I don't expect Brad to go for a big in this draft. We have Big Al, Rob (who I expect will move into the starters spot in a one big lineup next year), Gallo, Muscala, Grant (if resigned), Blake (if resigned), Kornet (if contract guaranteed) and Kabengele (expecting him to be our big added to the roster if one of the listed not brought back) for next year. Guard rotation is one of the best in the league, so much so that we can't find minutes for Pritchard (who likely will be traded) or JD (who will take Pritchard's roster spot if he is moved).

I really see us taking a small forward, somewhere between the size as Brown and Tatum. I expect the player taken to be between 6'6 and 6'9 that is athletic and can defend. I'm looking at Bilal Caulibaly, Jalen Wilson, Jaime Jaquez Jr (we can have our own JJJ) or someone along those lines.

I really like Jalen Wilson. Great size at 6'8, 225. Only downside I see is he'll be 23 by draft time, but looks like a smart player, and good shooter. He made 3 or more 3's in 13 games this past season. Very few players can say that at his size from last year, and most of them are slotted to go in the lottery. Reminds me of Seddiq Bey coming out of school, but bigger, and I was one of the ones wanted Bey more than Nesmith.

I think most of us who wouldn't mind seeing the celtics take a big man with this pick are thinking more long term. We're thinking about how long term, we need a big man since Al (who turns 37 in June) is going to be less and less productive and Rob is likely to continue being one of the most injury prone players in the league. We can probably get a 1st round caliber talent with this pick - someone who (if the pick really works out) could potentially start for us long term at the 4 or the 5.

Depending on who we pick, he could either start at the 4, alongside Rob. Or he starts off as a backup big man, and eventually could start at the 5 (during the many games Rob is out with an injury or if we end up trading Rob down the road).

Anyone we pick is probably not going to contribute much (if anything) in year 1. Year 1 is likely a development year (either in G-league + garbage time with the big club or stashed overseas) so you're ideally looking at a guy who could contribute regularly in year 2. By that time (the 2024-2025 season), Kornet, Muscala, Griffin, Kabengele, Gallo) could all be gone and Al will 38 years old. Rob's knees might be toast by then, too. You bring a young (age 22 or under) big in now to start the development process so he can be ready down the road, when needed.

I wouldn't hate it if we picked a wing, but keep in mind:
-We recently picked 2 wings in the lottery and neither worked out, mainly because on this team (with a top 5 player on the planet and another all-star, both in their prime) there's not really room for another wing to get many minutes or make much of an impact. Plus, we have Hauser who is showing good promise. He has taken a big leap in his defensive ability over the past 2 years since he was in college, he's started to improve a little but with taking his man off the dribble. I bet he comes back next season even better.

-Plus we have Champagnie and Begarin. Champagnie averaged 19 PPG in the g-league this season at age 21 - that is VERY rare. I honestly don't know if another player (age 21 or under) has ever averaged that many points in the g-league before. He's actually a pretty similar player (in terms of size, athleticism, skill set, etc.) to Marjon Beauchamp. Champagnie actually posted better numbers in the g-league at age 21 than Beauchamp did - and Beauchamp got drafted in the 1st round last year by the Bucks. So when we signed Champagnie, we essentially added a 1st round pick to our team for free.

-Begarin is a wing we're developing overseas. At this point I think he will probably stay overseas for another year next season, but who knows, he could really impress this year at summer league.

-If we draft a wing with this pick, that might be too many young wings we're trying to develop at the same time and not enough minutes to give them behind Tatum and Brown.

As for Jalen Wilson, yeah he's pretty good. I have him ranked #52 on my big board at the moment, so might be a little bit of a reach taking him at 33 or 35. He may have hit a lot of 3's this season, but he also took a TON of shots. He won't get to take that many shots if he was on the celtics, so he would have to be more efficient with the shots he gets. He shot 33.7% from 3 last season and 26% from 3 the year before that.

Again, he's a good player. But the downside with Wilson is age (like you said) and while he's decent at a lot of things (handle, driving, shooting, defense, passing, rebound, athleticism, size) he isn't great at any of them.

[Hal14]

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[playa-hater]

I don't expect Brad to go for a big in this draft. We have Big Al, Rob (who I expect will move into the starters spot in a one big lineup next year), Gallo, Muscala, Grant (if resigned), Blake (if resigned), Kornet (if contract guaranteed) and Kabengele (expecting him to be our big added to the roster if one of the listed not brought back) for next year. Guard rotation is one of the best in the league, so much so that we can't find minutes for Pritchard (who likely will be traded) or JD (who will take Pritchard's roster spot if he is moved).

I really see us taking a small forward, somewhere between the size as Brown and Tatum. I expect the player taken to be between 6'6 and 6'9 that is athletic and can defend. I'm looking at Bilal Caulibaly, Jalen Wilson, Jaime Jaquez Jr (we can have our own JJJ) or someone along those lines.

I really like Jalen Wilson. Great size at 6'8, 225. Only downside I see is he'll be 23 by draft time, but looks like a smart player, and good shooter. He made 3 or more 3's in 13 games this past season. Very few players can say that at his size from last year, and most of them are slotted to go in the lottery. Reminds me of Seddiq Bey coming out of school, but bigger, and I was one of the ones wanted Bey more than Nesmith.

I am starting to come to the conclusion that while I would Love Boston to get a "true BIGMAN" first and foremost, a good one won't be available. The next best thing may be getting a Bigger Wing. Seems like there are some decent ones who may be available (with or without a trade up)