Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[redslastlaugh]

Who are some players who you would like as the Celtics next center? Not necessarily this year but for a title run when Tatum comes back.

I would love Bam but I don’t see Miami/Riley trading him to Boston

Sabonis and Gobert are too expensive.
Lively would be great, Gafford a maybe, Kessler would be alright.
I’d like to see how Queta progresses given more PT first…same for Garza.

Yea, Queta just keeps getting better, I want to see how he performs in a bigger role with bigger expectations. There were some reports he's really been busting his butt working out this summer. He knows he has a huge career opportunity in front of him.

Garza has been buried behind the deepest front court in the league, he might be an opportunity away from surprising us.

And Amari Williams is elite size, elite college rebounder and elite big man passer. He could be something, so I want to see him get a chance.

So many of today's starting bigs were 2nd round picks (Jokic, Hartenstein, Zubac, Gafford) or even undrafted like Naz Reid, that I'm not that concerned when analysts ridicule our center room because guys do improve and outperform expectations and if nobody develops we can still go get a starter in the trade or free agent market down the road

[jfs1000d]

I have no problem if they sign both Vucevic and Simmons to Two Year Deals and waive/trade Tillman/Walsh...

Would be amazing.


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[Celts17Pride]

I have no problem if they sign both Vucevic and Simmons to Two Year Deals and waive/trade Tillman/Walsh...

Would be amazing.


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Makes sense if they are trying to win which I don’t believe they are.

[phincsfan]

By the way, I'm jumping at Nikola Vucevic for the vet min. if the Bulls buy him out.

I've been on the Vucevic train for a while.

Guy plays 70+ games a season. Double double machine but iffy on D. Can't have everything in life.

With a season like this though, I'd rather see Neems get a chance to start with more minutes.

[jfs1000d]

Could be. I hope not though, Im still hoping Amari pans out as a quirky nonrecurring event type of center. I like that Brad went so far outside of the box to swing on him.

Obviously, if he has no touch, no jumpshot, no motor, etc ... he isn't gonna last long... but i still have hopes

Stevens picked Amari Williams and Shulga because he traded down to make sure he took guys that were willing to take two ways. Both players will be gone within two years. People that think otherwise are just getting drunk on the green kool-aid.

The idea that you could draft two players (28 & 32) and get to sign them at very favorable terms for up to 4yrs and then have matching rights via restricted FA but that they're not gonna be willing to sign 2-ways so it's better to trade down to get players who will accept 2-ways.... basically I don't get it...

If you want two guys on 2-ways, just sign whoever is undrafted. Shulga went #57 ... it's a 59 pick draft, he probably wasn't even getting picked so you didn't need to trade assets to acquire Max Shulga on a 2-way most likely ... Brad is the most successful NBA exec of all time, without a draftee with 1 (lol *one*) career win share, truly bizarre way he approaches the draft... i think the good things about the draft, the ability to scout undiscovered talent and lock them up to very favorable contract terms, Brad seems to view it as a negative that you're basically stuck with a young guy you don't want...

Overrating the difference between 30 and 50. It isn't that big a move.


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[phincsfan]

Stevens picked Amari Williams and Shulga because he traded down to make sure he took guys that were willing to take two ways. Both players will be gone within two years. People that think otherwise are just getting drunk on the green kool-aid.

The idea that you could draft two players (28 & 32) and get to sign them at very favorable terms for up to 4yrs and then have matching rights via restricted FA but that they're not gonna be willing to sign 2-ways so it's better to trade down to get players who will accept 2-ways.... basically I don't get it...

If you want two guys on 2-ways, just sign whoever is undrafted. Shulga went #57 ... it's a 59 pick draft, he probably wasn't even getting picked so you didn't need to trade assets to acquire Max Shulga on a 2-way most likely ... Brad is the most successful NBA exec of all time, without a draftee with 1 (lol *one*) career win share, truly bizarre way he approaches the draft... i think the good things about the draft, the ability to scout undiscovered talent and lock them up to very favorable contract terms, Brad seems to view it as a negative that you're basically stuck with a young guy you don't want...

Overrating the difference between 30 and 50. It isn't that big a move.


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Is it really all Stevens though when it comes to drafting? The Ainge show has fully left town.

[playa-hater]

While you guys debate if you want Vuc or not, maybe he gets interest from other teams that can offer him more and/or a better situation overall , both financially and a deeper playoff run perhaps. One team I see him fitting well with is Indiana and there wide open system. Obviously not having Hali is tough next season. But after losing Myles Turner and Ayton, I would be shocked If Indiana doesn't make a run on Vuc.

[CelticFaninLBC]

I have no problem if they sign both Vucevic and Simmons to Two Year Deals and waive/trade Tillman/Walsh...

Would be amazing.


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Makes sense if they are trying to win which I don’t believe they are.

Doubtful that Stevens will try to tank.

[jmr07019]

Never heard of this guy until 10 minutes ago… but what about Santi Aldama?

He is 24 years old with 4 years experience. He was drafted 30th overall by Memphis and has shown a good upward trajectory over his four years in the league. 6-11, 20% defensive rebound % and 59% TS% last year. He shoots the 3. He fits into the Porzingis TPE having signed a 3 year 52 million dollar deal this month.

Is Memphis willing to trade him? They just gave Jaren Jackson a monster contract and drafted Zack Edey 9th overall. Perhaps they signed him so they wouldn’t lose an asset for nothing and would be open to dealing him for some combo of Hauser/Baylor/Hugo/pick(s)

[bucknersrevenge]

Read on Twitter

I'm not saying that this is a confirmation that he's staying but it's not NOT a confirmation that he's staying. Also suggests he slots in right next to starting PG Derrick White too.

[Hal14]

Never heard of this guy until 10 minutes ago… but what about Santi Aldama?

He is 24 years old with 4 years experience. He was drafted 30th overall by Memphis and has shown a good upward trajectory over his four years in the league. 6-11, 20% defensive rebound % and 59% TS% last year. He shoots the 3. He fits into the Porzingis TPE having signed a 3 year 52 million dollar deal this month.

Is Memphis willing to trade him? They just gave Jaren Jackson a monster contract and drafted Zack Edey 9th overall. Perhaps they signed him so they wouldn’t lose an asset for nothing and would be open to dealing him for some combo of Hauser/Baylor/Hugo/pick(s)

I think they like him very much, which is why they extended him. They also traded up to draft him a few yrs ago..and they drafted him quite a bit higher than he was projected to go. Was projected to go 45-60 range (some even projected him to go undrafted) but they traded up to pick him at 30 so they must like him.

They just lost Jay Huff so they need the depth up front.

I think they play a lot of double big lineups, with Aldama/JJJ at the 4 and Edey/Clarke at the 5. So having all 4 of them works out well - rather than it being a logjam.

If they are open to moving 1 of them though, I would think it'd be Clarke, since he is the one who didn't just recently get drafted or extended..and he's coming off a season ending knee injury..

After signing his extension, I believe Aldama isn't eligible to be traded until December 15.

Aldama is also more of a 4, so doesn't really solve our problem of finding a starting 5. He can shoot but is pretty bad on d. He's basically like a younger Vucevic/Olynyk type..

[jmr07019]

Never heard of this guy until 10 minutes ago… but what about Santi Aldama?

He is 24 years old with 4 years experience. He was drafted 30th overall by Memphis and has shown a good upward trajectory over his four years in the league. 6-11, 20% defensive rebound % and 59% TS% last year. He shoots the 3. He fits into the Porzingis TPE having signed a 3 year 52 million dollar deal this month.

Is Memphis willing to trade him? They just gave Jaren Jackson a monster contract and drafted Zack Edey 9th overall. Perhaps they signed him so they wouldn’t lose an asset for nothing and would be open to dealing him for some combo of Hauser/Baylor/Hugo/pick(s)

I think they like him very much, which is why they extended him. They also traded up to draft him a few yrs ago..and they drafted him quite a bit higher than he was projected to go. Was projected to go 45-60 range (some even projected him to go undrafted) but they traded up to pick him at 30 so they must like him.

They just lost Jay Huff so they need the depth up front.

I think Brandon Clarke is the big they would probably be open to moving.

After signing his extension, I believe Aldama isn't eligible to be traded until December 15.

Aldama is also more of a 4, so doesn't really solve our problem of finding a starting 5. He can shoot but is pretty bad on d. He's basically like a younger Vucevic/Olynyk type..

Memphis may like him but he’s still a bench guy and their team needs shooting.

Hauser + Hugo and a 1st for Aldama? They would have to at least think about it.

Or maybe the Celtics pump Simons value first half of the year and trade him for Aldama. Might even be able to squeeze a first out of Memphis. They just picked up a bunch in the Bane trade.

[Larry_Russell]

I still feel like vrad thoughtbhe was gonna be able to get this great haul for simons and he grossly miscalculated his value and is now in full damage control while trying to talk simons up

[Gant]

Bobby Krivitsky‬

The Celtics are signing Aaron Scott to an Exhibit 10 deal, per David Berov.

Well deserved. I think Scott can make an impact in Maine while growing his game in the G League.

[Fierce1]

I still feel like vrad thoughtbhe was gonna be able to get this great haul for simons and he grossly miscalculated his value and is now in full damage control while trying to talk simons up

It is what it is.

All of us should just accept that was the best Brad could do for Jrue.

Just take the L.

[He_Got_Game]

Read on Twitter

I'm not saying that this is a confirmation that he's staying but it's not NOT a confirmation that he's staying. Also suggests he slots in right next to starting PG Derrick White too.

I did NOT know that this guy was an athletic freak and actually beat Obi Toppin in a dunk contest. So this guy can really shoot, he's still young, and his head just about gets up to the rim on dunks. Hmmm.... I'm wondering if we just struck Gold here. This smells like Derrick White part two. I think Brad Stevens might have done it again.

[bucknersrevenge]

I still feel like vrad thoughtbhe was gonna be able to get this great haul for simons and he grossly miscalculated his value and is now in full damage control while trying to talk simons up

Brad rarely miscalculates. He just plans for multiple options. If one plan doesn't go through, he pivots to the next one. Brad acquired Simons because he's a good young player on an expiring deal. Now Brad has options. He always leaves himself with options.

[Parliament10]

I still feel like vrad thoughtbhe was gonna be able to get this great haul for simons and he grossly miscalculated his value and is now in full damage control while trying to talk simons up

Brad rarely miscalculates. He just plans for multiple options. If one plan doesn't go through, he pivots to the next one. Brad acquired Simons because he's a good young player on an expiring deal. Now Brad has options. He always leaves himself with options.

Agreed. The Options are open, with Simons and his Contract.

[Fierce1]

Just because Brad didn't make the trade that some of us wanted, that doesn't mean it's a miscalculation.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I still feel like vrad thoughtbhe was gonna be able to get this great haul for simons and he grossly miscalculated his value and is now in full damage control while trying to talk simons up

He got off of Jrue's contract. It's already a win regardless of what happens with Simons.