Random Thoughts on the Draft and Summer League Schedule

 The next big date on the NBA schedule is Thursday, June 23 when the draft will determine the next step in the Celtics future.  The Celtics have 8 picks in that draft with three in the first round, including the #3 overall pick.  They also pick 16th and 23rd in the first round along with picks 31, 35, 45, 51 and 58 in the second round. 



Most of the rumors and articles have centered on the 3rd pick, which Danny is reportedly trying fairly hard to trade.  If Danny can't find a trade partner, Dragan Bender, Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn, Jaylen Brown, or Jamal Murray may end up on the Celtics roster, and on their Summer League Team.    Personally, I'm leaning toward picking Bender.  For some reason,  when I watched his clips, he reminded me a bit of Kevin Durant and I think he has star potential.  

Whether Danny trades that 3rd pick or not,  I don't expect him to make 8 picks and expect them to make the team.  He may package a couple of picks or more for a higher pick or for other considerations.  He my make a few second round picks and expect to stash them in Europe for a year or two.  Don't discount 2nd round picks as there have been quite a few second round picks who have become stars in the league.   Sixtieth pick, Isaiah Thomas is one of them.

In between the draft and the Summer Leagues, there will be the start of free agency on July 1.  I expect the time from  now until Summer League ends is going to be very busy for Celtics fans.  The Celtics have 8 draft picks,  an exciting group of players for Summer League and also a lot of cap room to try to lure free agents to town.  It is going to be an exciting next few weeks before the off season slows to a crawl. 

The Celtics will participate in the Vegas Summer League once again and the schedule was released today.   Many of the top picks will be playing in these games and so it should be fun to watch.  I also expect to see last year's picks working on their game in this league as well.  I've already seen posts from Terry Rozier and RJ Hunter who are looking forward to getting back on the court in Las Vegas.

The Celtics will first play on Saturday, July 9 at 3:00 PM Pacific time against the Chicago Bulls.  They will be back in action again on Saturday in the 7:30 pm Pacific Time against Phoenix.  They are also scheduled to play on Tuesday, July 12 at 3 pm PT against the Dallas Mavericks.   Following those 3 games, there will be a playoff schedule culminating on Monday July 18 with a Championship game.

The Celtics will once again be participating in the Utah Summer League just before the Vegas Summer League begins.  Utah will hold their Summer League from July 4 through July 7 and will include Philadelphia, Boston, Utah, and San Antonio.  The Celtics will play 3 games in 4 days against the Sixers, Jazz and Spurs in that order. 

Here is the schedule for the Utah Summer League:
(Since Utah is in the Mountain time zone,  I am guessing that these are Mountain Times)
July 4
Vivint Smart Home Arena
5 p.m. - Celtics vs. 76ers
7 p.m. - Spurs vs. Jazz

July 5
Vivint Smart Home Arena
3 p.m. - 76ers vs. Spurs
5 p.m. - Celtics vs. Jazz

July 7
Jon M. Huntsman Center
5 p.m. - Celtics vs. Spurs
7 p.m. - 76ers vs. Jazz

Here is the complete schedule for the Las Vegas Summer League:

(All times are PACIFIC time)
Friday, July 8
Cox Pavilion
3 p.m. -- Milwaukee vs. Cleveland
5 p.m. -- Atlanta vs. Houston
7 p.m. -- Sacramento vs. Toronto
Thomas & Mack
3:30 p.m. -- NBA D-League vs. Memphis
5:30 p.m. -- Minnesota vs. Denver
7:30 p.m. -- L.A. Lakers vs. New Orleans
Saturday, July 9
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. -- Phoenix vs. Portland
3 p.m. -- Boston vs. Chicago
5 p.m. -- Denver vs. Memphis
7 p.m. -- Dallas vs. Miami
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. -- Cleveland vs. Brooklyn
3:30 p.m. -- Washington vs. Utah
5:30 p.m. -- Philadelphia vs. L.A. Lakers
7:30 p.m. -- San Antonio vs. Golden State

Sunday, July 10
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. -- Atlanta vs. Washington
3 p.m. -- Minnesota vs. Toronto
5 p.m. -- Utah vs. New Orleans
7 p.m. -- San Antonio vs. Portland

Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. -- Milwaukee vs. NBA D-League
3:30 p.m. -- Houston vs. Sacramento
5:30 p.m. -- Chicago vs. Philadelphia
7:30 p.m. -- Phoenix vs. Boston
Monday, July 11
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. -- Milwaukee vs. Memphis
3 p.m. -- Houston vs. NBA D-League
5 p.m. -- Miami vs. Denver
7 p.m. -- Sacramento vs. New Orleans
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. -- Brooklyn vs. Atlanta
3:30 p.m. -- Toronto vs. Dallas
5:30 p.m. -- Cleveland vs. Minnesota
7:30 p.m. -- Golden State vs. L.A. Lakers
Tuesday, July 12
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. -- Washington vs. Brooklyn
3 p.m. -- Boston vs. Dallas
5 p.m. -- San Antonio vs. Chicago
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. -- Portland vs. Utah
3:30 p.m. -- Miami vs. Phoenix
5:30 p.m. -- Philadelphia vs. Golden State
Wednesday, July 13
Seeds 9-24 will play in 8 games at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 14
Seeds 1-8 will play against the winners of July 13th games at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 15
Losers from games on July 13th and July 14th will play at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 16 - Quarterfinals
Winners from games on July 14th will play at the below times:
Thomas & Mack: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 - Semifinals
Winners from games on July 16th will play at the below times:
Thomas & Mack: 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Monday, July 18 -- Championship
Thomas & Mack
Winners from games on July 17 will play at the below time:
Thomas & Mack: 6 p.m.


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