Summer League 2025, Multi-Game Thread – (Games 1 - 4)

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Very, very soon to make judgments...
but early sign says we should have taken Hugo at #28 and just stayed at #32 and selected Max Raynaud

Raynaud looks real nice, so upset we didnt get him.

I would have taken Liam at #28 and if they still wanted Hugo, they could have either moved up to 29 - 31 to draft him or wait until #32...

[Dogen]

Sounds like JD's unguaranteed spot may be in peril, they may also plan to dump off Tillman, and all around have more roster tweaks to go. Maybe they already checked out Bassey's medicals when he was in Boston last week and would move to lock him up sooner rather than later.

It's been time to move on from Davison for a while now. The team did right by him with the contract, but it's never seemed like the right fit here.

Tillman too. It was fun to think he could absorb some Horford minutes, but the health and shooting have not been there for him.

Question is the comparison of Tillman and Bassey's medical records. All things being relatively equal in that regard, I'd take Bassey as he's bigger can can play above the rim.

[cloverleaf]

Sounds like JD's unguaranteed spot may be in peril, they may also plan to dump off Tillman, and all around have more roster tweaks to go. Maybe they already checked out Bassey's medicals when he was in Boston last week and would move to lock him up sooner rather than later.

It's been time to move on from Davison for a while now. The team did right by him with the contract, but it's never seemed like the right fit here.

Tillman too. It was fun to think he could absorb some Horford minutes, but the health and shooting have not been there for him.

Question is the comparison of Tillman and Bassey's medical records. All things being relatively equal in that regard, I'd take Bassey as he's bigger can can play above the rim.

He certainly had a healthy bounce to his game on Friday.

[Dogen]

Sounds like JD's unguaranteed spot may be in peril, they may also plan to dump off Tillman, and all around have more roster tweaks to go. Maybe they already checked out Bassey's medicals when he was in Boston last week and would move to lock him up sooner rather than later.

It's been time to move on from Davison for a while now. The team did right by him with the contract, but it's never seemed like the right fit here.

Tillman too. It was fun to think he could absorb some Horford minutes, but the health and shooting have not been there for him.

Question is the comparison of Tillman and Bassey's medical records. All things being relatively equal in that regard, I'd take Bassey as he's bigger can can play above the rim.

He certainly had a healthy bounce to his game on Friday.

He sure did. But it was one summer league game after rest from the regular season. Tillman may have looked very spry too.

Brad sounded positive but slightly guarded about Bassey. Just need to give it time and do the right thing for the player and the team. There has been some concern that another team is going to snap him up after one relatively surprising game (that he was even on the roster!), but one would think that there has been some strategy behind it and that he'll stick around for the summer.

I heard Bassey already got a camp deal, but haven't been able to confirm that yet.

[redslastlaugh]

It's been time to move on from Davison for a while now. The team did right by him with the contract, but it's never seemed like the right fit here.

Tillman too. It was fun to think he could absorb some Horford minutes, but the health and shooting have not been there for him.

He certainly had a healthy bounce to his game on Friday.

He sure did. But it was one summer league game after rest from the regular season. Tillman may have looked very spry too.

I agree it's Tillman's health/mobility and also his shooting.
In 2023 X-man took 5% of his attempts as 3PTA. Last yr his 3PT attempt rate was around 60%. Sixty percent of Xavier Tillman's shots last season were3pt attempts. Like, what??

I don't understand why the coaches didn't try to flex the system to take advantage of Tillman as a passer, screener and defender like they did with Luke Kornet? Luke wasn't encouraged to let the 3pt shot fly? Xavier Tillman never got the leeway to play his game, maybe it was the knee and lack of mobility, who knows?

But watching Xman last yr, it looked like a player who had lost his confidence and like a square peg being forced into a round hole.

I know Brad mentioned him at the presser, but this seemed like a courtesy to not disrespect the player by not even mentioning him. I don't see Tillman on the roster past the trade deadline, and probably gone by opening night

[bisme37]

Read on Twitter

[Celts17Pride]

Probably get a look at Jalen Bridges today. See if he has a chance.

[cloverleaf]

I'm thinking neither Jordan nor Hugo nor Baylor will play more than 3 games in total.

[playa-hater]

I'm guessing that Raynaud's agent would not have settled for a 2-way.

If you are drafting at #32, you want to get the player on a four yr standard rookie scale contract, with a 3rd yr trigger date and a 4th yr team option. This is a good thing. Sometimes it seems like the Celtics under this leadership sees it as a bad thing, which is (from my persective) hard to understand.

If Brad had decided we're just going to take the best player at our pick and sign him to a standard contract, we'd have taken Austin Reaves in 2021 not Juhann Begarin.

I wonder if Brad has PTSD or something from demetrius Jackson and Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters...

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

[phincsfan]

If you are drafting at #32, you want to get the player on a four yr standard rookie scale contract, with a 3rd yr trigger date and a 4th yr team option. This is a good thing. Sometimes it seems like the Celtics under this leadership sees it as a bad thing, which is (from my persective) hard to understand.

If Brad had decided we're just going to take the best player at our pick and sign him to a standard contract, we'd have taken Austin Reaves in 2021 not Juhann Begarin.

I wonder if Brad has PTSD or something from demetrius Jackson and Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters...

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Raynaud may have wanted a guaranteed contract and not just a 2way like the Brit's gonna get.

That would be over 5mil guaranteed to 2 rookies this year. Times are tough for the rich these days

[Dogen]

If you are drafting at #32, you want to get the player on a four yr standard rookie scale contract, with a 3rd yr trigger date and a 4th yr team option. This is a good thing. Sometimes it seems like the Celtics under this leadership sees it as a bad thing, which is (from my persective) hard to understand.

If Brad had decided we're just going to take the best player at our pick and sign him to a standard contract, we'd have taken Austin Reaves in 2021 not Juhann Begarin.

I wonder if Brad has PTSD or something from demetrius Jackson and Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters...

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Yeah, Maxime was my first choice of Max's in the second round. And he almost slipped to 46.

Question is, will he really be any good in NBA? Like, any better than Garza?

Luka's college stats in 2020-21: 44% 3pt, 24.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6 bpg, and all at a hulking 6'11", 265lb.

Let's get him!


Edit: Luka went 52 in his draft and has... some things to work on, let's say. I do prefer Raynaud, but I'm not sure there will be a profound difference and Luka already has a few pro years under his belt.

[celticgreenie]

I'm guessing that Raynaud's agent would not have settled for a 2-way.

If you are drafting at #32, you want to get the player on a four yr standard rookie scale contract, with a 3rd yr trigger date and a 4th yr team option. This is a good thing. Sometimes it seems like the Celtics under this leadership sees it as a bad thing, which is (from my persective) hard to understand.

If Brad had decided we're just going to take the best player at our pick and sign him to a standard contract, we'd have taken Austin Reaves in 2021 not Juhann Begarin.

I wonder if Brad has PTSD or something from demetrius Jackson and Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters...

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

Good point. My best guess unless a big man draft prospect is KP level good, Brad doesn't want that guy taking touches and shots away from the Jays.

[ThePigeon]

If you are drafting at #32, you want to get the player on a four yr standard rookie scale contract, with a 3rd yr trigger date and a 4th yr team option. This is a good thing. Sometimes it seems like the Celtics under this leadership sees it as a bad thing, which is (from my persective) hard to understand.

If Brad had decided we're just going to take the best player at our pick and sign him to a standard contract, we'd have taken Austin Reaves in 2021 not Juhann Begarin.

I wonder if Brad has PTSD or something from demetrius Jackson and Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters...

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Maybe the "we don't like rookies" stuff is both Brad and Joe don't like rookies and draft just for letting players go (or forced to draft players in the 1st round)

Getting a FRP like in 32 instead of getting Williams and Shulga who will probably be out of the league (or not even getting there) in 2-3 years is a fumble IMO

Brad likes to get the known NBA commodities on the cheap instead of drafting (Queta, Garza, Minott, Tillman, Springer, Kebangele, Banton, Champagnie, Bruno Fernando and even Kornet) or get an old (23-24) undrafted guys and develop them
Hauser is a win
Queta is WIP
Springer, Kebangele, Banton, Champagnie, Bruno Fernando are busts (ok, maibe Champagnie isn't one, but he isn't here)

[phincsfan]

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Yeah, Maxime was my first choice of Max's in the second round. And he almost slipped to 46.

Question is, will he really be any good in NBA? Like, any better than Garza?

Luka's college stats in 2020-21: 44% 3pt, 24.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6 bpg, and all at a hulking 6'11", 265lb.

Let's get him!


Edit: Luka went 52 in his draft and has... some things to work on, let's say. I do prefer Raynaud, but I'm not sure there will be a profound difference and Luka already has a few pro years under his belt.

I agree in regards to comparing Garza and Raynaud, but Garza's option wasn't declined until the 29th, draft was the 27th. My question is "what was their plan?". Were they really waiting on Al's decision?

IMO, they're soft tanking without saying they are because if the frontcourt ends up being what some say will be very bad, then a top 5 pick is definitely in the books. I'm not saying Raynaud would have stepped in and solidified the frontcourt, but they weren't even looking for scoring in the frontcourt through the draft.

[Parliament10]

https://www.nba.com/2025-summer-league-vegas-standings
Going into this Game, Celtics are 9th seed.
5 Teams are Undefeated at 2-0.

[Dogen]

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Yeah, Maxime was my first choice of Max's in the second round. And he almost slipped to 46.

Question is, will he really be any good in NBA? Like, any better than Garza?

Luka's college stats in 2020-21: 44% 3pt, 24.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6 bpg, and all at a hulking 6'11", 265lb.

Let's get him!


Edit: Luka went 52 in his draft and has... some things to work on, let's say. I do prefer Raynaud, but I'm not sure there will be a profound difference and Luka already has a few pro years under his belt.

I agree in regards to comparing Garza and Raynaud, but Garza's option wasn't declined until the 29th, draft was the 27th. My question is "what was their plan?". Were they really waiting on Al's decision?

IMO, they're soft tanking without saying they are because if the frontcourt ends up being what some say will be very bad, then a top 5 pick is definitely in the books. I'm not saying Raynaud would have stepped in and solidified the frontcourt, but they weren't even looking for scoring in the frontcourt through the draft.

I admit that this is the first year that -- aside from getting out of the 2nd apron -- I have no idea what the plan is. Maybe Brad doesn't really either yet. There are new owners. Must be a lot of things going on that we don't know about.

I'm waiting for the moment where Brad does his rabbitt out of a hat trick and we all go " Oh, well played, good sir!" but the draft was a head scratcher. Seems like we added one young talent in Hugo, a couple of maybes in Amari and Max. Also added some future assets, saved guaranteed money and kept a regular roster spot open (if it's true that guys like Raynaud didn't want to sign a two-way).

It all makes some sense for the long term, but for 2025-26 season? A bit underwhelming.

Unless Brad still has a trick up his sleeve.

[Parliament10]

Yeah, Maxime was my first choice of Max's in the second round. And he almost slipped to 46.

Question is, will he really be any good in NBA? Like, any better than Garza?

Luka's college stats in 2020-21: 44% 3pt, 24.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6 bpg, and all at a hulking 6'11", 265lb.

Let's get him!


Edit: Luka went 52 in his draft and has... some things to work on, let's say. I do prefer Raynaud, but I'm not sure there will be a profound difference and Luka already has a few pro years under his belt.

I agree in regards to comparing Garza and Raynaud, but Garza's option wasn't declined until the 29th, draft was the 27th. My question is "what was their plan?". Were they really waiting on Al's decision?

IMO, they're soft tanking without saying they are because if the frontcourt ends up being what some say will be very bad, then a top 5 pick is definitely in the books. I'm not saying Raynaud would have stepped in and solidified the frontcourt, but they weren't even looking for scoring in the frontcourt through the draft.

I admit that this is the first year that -- aside from getting out of the 2nd apron -- I have no idea what the plan is. Maybe Brad doesn't really either yet. There are new owners. Must be a lot of things going on that we don't know about.

I'm waiting for the moment where Brad does his rabbitt out of a hat trick and we all go " Oh, well played, good sir!" but the draft was a head scratcher. Seems like we added one young talent in Hugo, a couple of maybes in Amari and Max. Also added some future assets, saved guaranteed money and kept a regular roster spot open (if it's true that guys like Raynaud didn't want to sign a two-way).

It all makes some sense for the long term, but for 2025-26 season? A bit underwhelming.

Unless Brad still has a trick up his sleeve.

It's looking more and more like we're going more so for the long-term.
We're not Tanking, but this is a Development year, to be sure.

[redslastlaugh]

Years ago, like bubble era Celtics, Bill Simmons said on a pod that C's front office wanted to put their resources into wings and guards because they felt, unless you're talking about a Jokic-level franchise center, you can always get big men cheaply to do the dirty work.

Danny rarely took a big in the draft, but he took some here and there: Semi Erden, Jordan Mickey, Colton Iverson, Robert Williams

Maybe the front office still feels like that though. If the player doesnt project to all star then don't waste picks on that position. Or maybe they just didn't like Raynaud and Kalkbrenner as much as they liked Amari Williams, which is possible. Amari Williams has a 7-6 wingspan is 260lbs and just averaged 5 asst/36 at highest level of NCAA hoops. But importantly, they took Amari at #46 not #28 or 32, and that says something imo

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

[redslastlaugh]

I think it's interesting that Brad has used his top picks the last 3 drafts to grab a wing (Hugo, Baylor, Walsh) while passing up on KP archetypes Filipowski and Raynaud. Maybe Brad just really likes wings lol.

Anyways, all will be forgiven if the Garza signing works out.

The fact is that Brad passed on Raynaud twice. That trade down (again) from 32, which had 1st Rd talent still there to get a bunch of late picks that very likely won't do anything on the NBA level is killing me. Especially when we had a HUGE need for center. Especially a young talented one.

How's it going to look If RealGM > Brad at drafting in a few years

Yea, I wish the Celtics pool reporters would just ask Brad for his thoughts about the draft.

When Danny was doing the post-Nets trade rebuild and was taking lots of rookies that Brad had to try to develop as coach, did Brad object to this strategy?

When Joe says he doesnt like rookies is that also Brad's opinion? Is this because most rookies will fail and realizing that disappointment becomes disruptive? Or are rookies bad for team chemistry because never before did they sit on the bench on their previous teams, and now they're not playing and this produces a bad attitude?

Does Brad not like the draft because the players he wants are always gone before he picks? Like Brad wants offensively talented centers who can also protect the rim and that's Wemby or Porzginis or Myles turner who aren't going be on the board at 32?

Does Brad just dislike the draft in general, having been a recruiter in college and he prefers you present your opportunity, make your pitch and the prospect just picks the school wants to attend?

Is it just too random. There are 5 or 6 players taken after the first round who are gonna be good and you can't really know as an evaluator who those are with certainty?

Does Brad just not want to take players because they get a guaranteed contract and Brad would rather fill that with a vet minimum 27 yr old free agent?

Like Celtics fans say Brad doesn't like rookies, doesn't like the draft etc but nobody has ever asked him to explain what exactly he doesn't like about it?

long rant, lol

[redslastlaugh]

Maybe the "we don't like rookies" stuff is both Brad and Joe don't like rookies and draft just for letting players go (or forced to draft players in the 1st round)

Getting a FRP like in 32 instead of getting Williams and Shulga who will probably be out of the league (or not even getting there) in 2-3 years is a fumble IMO

Brad likes to get the known NBA commodities on the cheap instead of drafting (Queta, Garza, Minott, Tillman, Springer, Kebangele, Banton, Champagnie, Bruno Fernando and even Kornet) or get an old (23-24) undrafted guys and develop them

The "we don't like rookies" is maybe more understandable for a coach, the coach is thinking about winning tonight's game.
But for a GM, it doesnt even make sense?

If you look at the modern NBA what successful GM hasn't made super successful draft picks?

Krause with Pippen, Grant and Kukoc in the 2nd
Presti with Tony Parker, Russ Westbrook, Ibaka and on and on
Buford with Manu, Kawhi, George Hill etc etc on and on
Myers with Draymond
Danny Ainge with Rondo, AlJeff, Tatum, Brown, etc
Riley with D Wade
Jerry West had Kobe Bryant, Klay Tompson, etc

What is an example of a successful GM who didn't do work in the draft??