Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Celts17Pride]

I have to admit, I find it kind of strange Brad Stevens doesn't just go and give Al Horford a 2 year deal worth about $5-6 million annually and deal with the 2nd apron issues during the season and at the mid-season trade deadline. Seems like there is a lot more to this story that we don't know yet.

Brad Stevens keeps saying the Celtics definitely want him back but it doesn't seem that way. I think we will find out more about this scenario later.

Al was considering retirement this summer - he still might retire. So there's a chance that if he does play this season, it'll be his last one. I'm sure he just wants to go to a team where he'll have a better chance at competing for another ring. And he knows with us trading KP/Jrue and Tatum's injury, that ain't happening this season in Boston.

Plus, maybe some other team like GS will offer him more $ than Boston can, especially given our cap/apron constraints.

While it might seem easy to just say "oh, just sign him to a contract we can't afford to pay..no big deal, we'll figure out this apron still during the season" I don't think teams actually think that way.

And why go through all that trouble, jump through hoops and hope/pray that we'll be able to trim salary mid-season to sign a 39 year old big during a season we aren't going to compete for a title? Mine as well just develop our young guys..

I personally think it's either Big Al doesn't want to be back or the Celtics don't want him back. Very strange considering Big Al's history in Boston.

[hugepatsfan]

If they signed Horford for $5-6M then to get back under the 2nd apron they'd have to either:

1) Ditch Hauser on a long term deal that seems solid
2) Pay probably multiple 2nds to dump Niang's contract
3) Execute a tough transaction with Simons to save money since that deal and archetype of player seem very devalued league wide

In addition, if they ever decide to get all the way below the luxury tax, you compound the issue because they probably have too much respect for Horford to ever dump him for savings midseason. That means they'd have to make some combo of a painful move longer term (Hauser) or a negative valuation trade (Simons/Niang) for more savings to accommodate Horford.

In the end, factoring in the 2nd apron it probably "costs" a couple of seconds to keep Horford when you factor in the other move they'd need to make. If they ever pivot to going all the way below the tax it adds another handful of 2nds, maybe even a 1st to the effective "cost" of keeping him.

IMO, it's simply a matter of it just not being worth that all-inclusive cost to keep a guy pushing 40 when Tatum is out for the year anyway.

[Celts17Pride]

Read on Twitter

[165bows]

If they signed Horford for $5-6M then to get back under the 2nd apron they'd have to either:

1) Ditch Hauser on a long term deal that seems solid
2) Pay probably multiple 2nds to dump Niang's contract
3) Execute a tough transaction with Simons to save money since that deal and archetype of player seem very devalued league wide

In addition, if they ever decide to get all the way below the luxury tax, you compound the issue because they probably have too much respect for Horford to ever dump him for savings midseason. That means they'd have to make some combo of a painful move longer term (Hauser) or a negative valuation trade (Simons/Niang) for more savings to accommodate Horford.

In the end, factoring in the 2nd apron it probably "costs" a couple of seconds to keep Horford when you factor in the other move they'd need to make. If they ever pivot to going all the way below the tax it adds another handful of 2nds, maybe even a 1st to the effective "cost" of keeping him.

IMO, it's simply a matter of it just not being worth that all-inclusive cost to keep a guy pushing 40 when Tatum is out for the year anyway.

Well that's my point if you leave off Garza and Minot and keep a roster spot empty that gets you most of the way there. So while they could reverse course, dump guys and bring back Al, it just seems likely they knew early on that he wasn't being brought back or coming back, one way or the other.

My guesses would be either he didn't want to be part of a non-contender in what could be his last year or alternatively they are developing (tanking) a little harder than some might think and therefore it didn't make sense.

But like said above time may tell.

[Celts17Pride]

If they signed Horford for $5-6M then to get back under the 2nd apron they'd have to either:

1) Ditch Hauser on a long term deal that seems solid
2) Pay probably multiple 2nds to dump Niang's contract
3) Execute a tough transaction with Simons to save money since that deal and archetype of player seem very devalued league wide

In addition, if they ever decide to get all the way below the luxury tax, you compound the issue because they probably have too much respect for Horford to ever dump him for savings midseason. That means they'd have to make some combo of a painful move longer term (Hauser) or a negative valuation trade (Simons/Niang) for more savings to accommodate Horford.

In the end, factoring in the 2nd apron it probably "costs" a couple of seconds to keep Horford when you factor in the other move they'd need to make. If they ever pivot to going all the way below the tax it adds another handful of 2nds, maybe even a 1st to the effective "cost" of keeping him.

IMO, it's simply a matter of it just not being worth that all-inclusive cost to keep a guy pushing 40 when Tatum is out for the year anyway.

The point I am making is if the Celtics traded Simons and acquired another $12 million in cap space under the 2nd apron, I still don't get an indication that the Celtics would offer Big Al $5-6 million to bring him back. I think it's very strange given Horford's history in Boston. More to this story then we know in my opinion.

[celticgreenie]

If they signed Horford for $5-6M then to get back under the 2nd apron they'd have to either:

1) Ditch Hauser on a long term deal that seems solid
2) Pay probably multiple 2nds to dump Niang's contract
3) Execute a tough transaction with Simons to save money since that deal and archetype of player seem very devalued league wide

In addition, if they ever decide to get all the way below the luxury tax, you compound the issue because they probably have too much respect for Horford to ever dump him for savings midseason. That means they'd have to make some combo of a painful move longer term (Hauser) or a negative valuation trade (Simons/Niang) for more savings to accommodate Horford.

In the end, factoring in the 2nd apron it probably "costs" a couple of seconds to keep Horford when you factor in the other move they'd need to make. If they ever pivot to going all the way below the tax it adds another handful of 2nds, maybe even a 1st to the effective "cost" of keeping him.

IMO, it's simply a matter of it just not being worth that all-inclusive cost to keep a guy pushing 40 when Tatum is out for the year anyway.

The point I am making is if the Celtics traded Simons and acquired another $12 million in cap space under the 2nd apron, I still don't get an indication that the Celtics would offer Big Al $5-6 million to bring him back. I think it's very strange given Horford's history in Boston. More to this story then we know in my opinion.

I agree with your point. I wonder if it hasn't leaked because Stevens doesn't even know he can unload the Simons contract within a reasonable time before Al finally makes his decision. Plus something like that leaking would hurt Stevens even more in trying to facilitate a Simons trade.

[bisme37]

I'm confused about the wording in this...

Two additional teams since have joined the list of potential Horford landing spots. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have expressed interest in the 39-year-old, but he is still mulling retirement.

“Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, he didn’t (sign),” Spears said Monday on ESPN’s NBA Today, per Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “(The) Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table.

“He’s still considering retiring, he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and a lesser extent to the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/two-teams-emerge-al-horford-181949416.html

I've been operating under the assumption that Al isn't remotely excited about moving to the west coast and enrolling his 75 kids in new schools just so he can play one year for the Warriors and not win anything.

The last line of the thing I quoted here... is it saying he's not going to make a decision that takes him so far from his family? Or it's saying if his new team takes him far from his family that's fine and not part of the calculus?

[WeLikeOurGuys]

I'm confused about the wording in this...

Two additional teams since have joined the list of potential Horford landing spots. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have expressed interest in the 39-year-old, but he is still mulling retirement.

“Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, he didn’t (sign),” Spears said Monday on ESPN’s NBA Today, per Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “(The) Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table.

“He’s still considering retiring, he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and a lesser extent to the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/two-teams-emerge-al-horford-181949416.html

I've been operating under the assumption the Al isn't remotely excited about moving to the west coast and enrolling his 75 kids in new schools just so he can play one year for the Warriors and not win anything.

The last line of the thing I quoted here... is it saying he's not going to make a decision that takes him so far from his family? Or it's saying if his new team takes him far from his family that's fine and not part of the calculus?

I think it means being far from family won’t be a factor in his decision.
It's weridly written tho

[Parliament10]

I have to admit, I find it kind of strange Brad Stevens doesn't just go and give Al Horford a 2 year deal worth about $5-6 million annually and deal with the 2nd apron issues during the season and at the mid-season trade deadline. Seems like there is a lot more to this story that we don't know yet.

Brad Stevens keeps saying the Celtics definitely want him back but it doesn't seem that way. I think we will find out more about this scenario later.

Al was considering retirement this summer - he still might retire. So there's a chance that if he does play this season, it'll be his last one. I'm sure he just wants to go to a team where he'll have a better chance at competing for another ring. And he knows with us trading KP/Jrue and Tatum's injury, that ain't happening this season in Boston.

Plus, maybe some other team like GS will offer him more $ than Boston can, especially given our cap/apron constraints.

While it might seem easy to just say "oh, just sign him to a contract we can't afford to pay..no big deal, we'll figure out this apron still during the season" I don't think teams actually think that way.

And why go through all that trouble, jump through hoops and hope/pray that we'll be able to trim salary mid-season to sign a 39 year old big during a season we aren't going to compete for a title? Mine as well just develop our young guys..

I personally think it's either Big Al doesn't want to be back or the Celtics don't want him back. Very strange considering Big Al's history in Boston.

Stevens did say that he offered Horford a Contract.
I think that Horford hasn't given the Celtics a concrete response?

[Parliament10]

I'm confused about the wording in this...

Two additional teams since have joined the list of potential Horford landing spots. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have expressed interest in the 39-year-old, but he is still mulling retirement.

“Golden State obviously expected him to sign last week, he didn’t (sign),” Spears said Monday on ESPN’s NBA Today, per Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “(The) Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table.

“He’s still considering retiring, he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and a lesser extent to the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/two-teams-emerge-al-horford-181949416.html

I've been operating under the assumption the Al isn't remotely excited about moving to the west coast and enrolling his 75 kids in new schools just so he can play one year for the Warriors and not win anything.

The last line of the thing I quoted here... is it saying he's not going to make a decision that takes him so far from his family? Or it's saying if his new team takes him far from his family that's fine and not part of the calculus?

Probably means that the Family is staying here.
Kinda hard to uproute a Family of 5 Kids, just for a year or two of play.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

If I was Horford I would just sit out until January or so, see what teams are doing what and maybe sign with one of them them. Seems like all the teams that are interested in Horford are not contenders.

[Hal14]

If I was Horford I would just sit out until January or so, see what teams are doing what and maybe sign with one of them them. Seems like all the teams that are interested in Horford are not contenders.

I think GS sees themselves as a contender. With Steph, Butler and Draymond..the other pieces they have like Hield, if you add Horford to that, you can squint and maybe see a contender.

At least more of a contender than Boston will be this season.

Realistically, no one else really has a chance this season besides OKC. Unless injuries derail them..

[fallguy]

I just don't think there's a match on either side.

Boston's focus this season should be on developing younger bigs (including some we may not have on the roster yet) and losing games. It's our one season to do this. Force feed them minutes.

Al doesn't need money. He has a title. Would he like another? Sure. But that's not happening in Boston. Why go through another long season just to miss the playoffs or lose early on?

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

If I was Horford I would just sit out until January or so, see what teams are doing what and maybe sign with one of them them. Seems like all the teams that are interested in Horford are not contenders.

I think GS sees themselves as a contender. With Steph, Butler and Draymond..the other pieces they have like Hield, if you add Horford to that, you can squint and maybe see a contender.

At least more of a contender than Boston will be this season.

Realistically, no one else really has a chance this season besides OKC. Unless injuries derail them..

I have Boston as 500 team and being in the play-in. Garza, Williams, Queta and Tillman could be the worst big men rotation in NBA history.

I think the warriors can be a top 4 or 5 team in the west if they can hold up health wise. Could be tough though Curry is 37, Butler is 35 and Green is 35. They kinda remind me of the Celtcs the last couple of years when they had Allen, PP and KG together.

Agree about OKC. Unless they have some catastrophic injuries don't see how they don't repeat.

[ddb]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but if Al signs elsewhere, and Brad can't find a Simons for Center type trade, why not take a chance on Ben Simmons? Sign him to the minimum, tell him he's a Center now, and give it a try. He's 6'10, rebounds, can push tempo right off the rebounder spot, and he can rim run. He's also a versatile defender that can switch out and guard on the perimeter. Intriguing experiment. And guess what, if he stinks, he's injured, or has a bad attitude, you cut him loose. No harm no foul.

I'm imagining a 5-man group of White/Simons/Hauser/Brown/Simmons...Pretty interesting. Cs wouldn't need scoring from him.

[fallguy]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but if Al signs elsewhere, and Brad can't find a Simons for Center type trade, why not take a chance on Ben Simmons? Sign him to the minimum, tell him he's a Center now, and give it a try. He's 6'10, rebounds, can push tempo right off the rebounder spot, and he can rim run. He's also a versatile defender that can switch out and guard on the perimeter. Intriguing experiment. And guess what, if he stinks, he's injured, or has a bad attitude, you cut him loose. No harm no foul.

I'm imagining a 5-man group of White/Simons/Hauser/Brown/Simmons...Pretty interesting. Cs wouldn't need scoring from him.

My biggest objection to Simmons is he doesn't like basketball.

[ddb]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but if Al signs elsewhere, and Brad can't find a Simons for Center type trade, why not take a chance on Ben Simmons? Sign him to the minimum, tell him he's a Center now, and give it a try. He's 6'10, rebounds, can push tempo right off the rebounder spot, and he can rim run. He's also a versatile defender that can switch out and guard on the perimeter. Intriguing experiment. And guess what, if he stinks, he's injured, or has a bad attitude, you cut him loose. No harm no foul.

I'm imagining a 5-man group of White/Simons/Hauser/Brown/Simmons...Pretty interesting. Cs wouldn't need scoring from him.

My biggest objection to Simmons is he doesn't like basketball.

I agree 100%. Maybe he would in Boston? Give him an opportunity to play Center and reinvent his career. And again, if he's an issue in any way just cut him loose. Brad doesn't seem like the type to take chances on guys like Simmons, but what's the alternative? Queta? Tillman? Garza? That could be the worst center committee of all time.

[fallguy]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but if Al signs elsewhere, and Brad can't find a Simons for Center type trade, why not take a chance on Ben Simmons? Sign him to the minimum, tell him he's a Center now, and give it a try. He's 6'10, rebounds, can push tempo right off the rebounder spot, and he can rim run. He's also a versatile defender that can switch out and guard on the perimeter. Intriguing experiment. And guess what, if he stinks, he's injured, or has a bad attitude, you cut him loose. No harm no foul.

I'm imagining a 5-man group of White/Simons/Hauser/Brown/Simmons...Pretty interesting. Cs wouldn't need scoring from him.

My biggest objection to Simmons is he doesn't like basketball.

I agree 100%. Maybe he would in Boston? Give him an opportunity to play Center and reinvent his career. And again, if he's an issue in any way just cut him loose.

Yeah, I don't hate the idea. This is the year for this kind of thing.

[ddb]

My biggest objection to Simmons is he doesn't like basketball.

I agree 100%. Maybe he would in Boston? Give him an opportunity to play Center and reinvent his career. And again, if he's an issue in any way just cut him loose.

Yeah, I don't hate the idea. This is the year for this kind of thing.

The thought of Queta, Tillman, and Garza splitting center minutes gives me anxiety.

[Shak_Celts]

Read on Twitter

He wanted more minutes and placed himself out of his only NBA shot. His agent must not be good. You had to make sure there is a high probability that those minutes are waiting for you before you turn down few, but NBA minutes, with the Celtics.

I feel bad for him and I don’t blame him for always wanting more for himself, but a lot of guys are out of the NBA because they can’t accept roles. Stardom isn’t for every player. A lot of top-talent flames out early because they can’t accept not being the man they were their entire life before the NBA. You hear many top role players say it all the time, guys just don’t want to accept their lot in the NBA.

Yes, there are other factors keeping guys out of the NBA, the NBA is shady asl. Still, one of the recurring themes is guys want to play a lot and show what they believe they can do, well, everyone can’t do it and many won’t get the chance. You either accept that you’re a role player and where you land or expect the NBA to wash you out. They don’t care about you guys, it’s a business.