hugepatsfan wrote:cloverleaf wrote:Walsh just turned 19 four months ago. Gotta sting a bit for JD that Jordan's already got a regular deal.
Walsh was drafted towards the top of the 2nd round. JD was almost undrafted. Different range of the draft reflects different view of them as prospects, to some degree.
Yes. Also, they play different positions. JD is a PG with White, Brogdon and Pritchard all in front of him. Ideally, you wait to start the clock on that dirt cheap rookie contract until the dude has a legit chance at getting some real minutes.
That's what we did with Hauser (g league year 1, then give him 4 year year rookie contract - he then got rotation minutes in year 2).
Unless we move Pritchard, there's probably no chance for JD to get rotation minutes this season. So probably best to keep him on a 2-way. Hell, even if Pritchard is moved, they may try signing a veteran guard to backfill that spot if they don't think JD is ready.
After all, Walsh has an NBA-ready skill - his defense. Hauser had an NBA-ready skill - his shooting (and the C's also waited until he was at least playable defensively before giving him that rookie deal). Pritchard had an NBA ready skill - his shooting. Plus, we weren't very deep in the back court back when Pritchard was a rookie - Kemba and Smart had injuries and Pritchard was better than Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters (not saying much).
JD still has some work to do with his shooting, defense and decision making with the ball. I think you keep him on a 2-way, hope he cleans some of that stuff up this season in the g league. Gets more reps, more development, gets more used to the pro game, the speed, physicality of the game, more exposure to the stuff the Celtics run, etc. And then you get him on a standard rookie contract next season - by that time, Pritchard is likely a goner.
Walsh plays more of a premium position (wing) with more of a realistic path to getting minutes. He could end up being the 2nd wing off the bench, after Hauser. And depending on matchups and how the game is going, Mazzulla may even elect to go with Walsh (over Hauser) at times as the first wing off the bench - if he wants some defense/energy/hustle/intensity out there, rather than shooting..