Free Agent, Trade, Buyout, Extension & Conversion Thread, 2025 con't

[WeLikeOurGuys]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

2nd pick for JB really tempting.

that's the only "blow it up" scenario that might be realistic and I would be fine with.

[Celts17Pride]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop in the prime of his career. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

[Fierce1]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

2nd pick for JB really tempting.

that's the only "blow it up" scenario that might be realistic and I would be fine with.

Agree.

I'm a fan of Harper.

[NotAKnicksFan]

Can we do JB our first and pritchard for #2 and Castle and Vassel

Trade zinger + Hauser ,#2 and castle to milwaukee for giannis and bobby portis

[winsomme2]

The only team that has cap space is Brooklyn and everyone is trying to rent their cap space. It won't easy and it will be very costly. Nobody is taking Holiday or Porzingis into cap space. It's a pipe dream. Celtics need to move $23 million when you include this year's draft picks and even more if you bring back Horford and/or Kornet.

KP is the x factor for me. As much has he hasn't been there for us in the playoffs the past two seasons, he could bounce back next season because he is still relatively young and has an appealing skillset.

This post viral syndrome could keep limiting him or he could be fine. There really is no way to know. If he is fine, his contract instantly becomes way more valuable or he just becomes way more valuable to us. Who knows? He's literally just one big wild card...

If he is fine and plays well early next season. It could actually go a long way to the Cs being a top 4 team in the EC through the early part of the season.

Teams are not going to offer much for Porzingis until he proves he can play (maybe this summer for Latvia) otherwise the only teams that would be interested in him are teams that want a expiring contract to move long term money. In the 2nd case, the Celtics are better off keeping him.

Totally agree. He's way more valuable to us right now.

But if he comes back healthy and playing well, he INSTANTLY changes his value. He would be a high level unique talent on an expiring contract. Those cam be super valuable.

The fact that his health condition isn't like recovering from a surgery is good and bad. The recovery time is like indefinite or instant. He is simultaneously unmovable or a top trade chip. One he shows he can play, he's a great trade chip or even someone we need on our team to stay competitive. It's super weird situation to plan for for a GM.

[Fierce1]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

Tatum is different.

If he stays with the Celtics, he can become the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Celtic records will be broken if Tatum is a Celtic for life.

[WeLikeOurGuys]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

Totally get it — but what if you land a top-5 pick in the 2026 draft? That class has some legit studs. Maybe you flip that pick into another star to pair with Tatum and Harper.

Or you go the other direction: get as much value as you can for Tatum and build around Harper, that 2026 top pick, and whatever you get in return for Tatum.

Again, I'm not team blow up but that path does intrigue me a lot lol.

[hugepatsfan]

Nets fan coming in peace throwing out an idea, how's this? Too much for Boston? Not enough? Basically #8, Claxton, Vassell, Keldon for both Jaylen and getting under the 2nd apron dumping multi-year salary instead of KP's expiring (which could probably be moved separately pretty easily).

Could switch Vassell or Keldon to Barnes on expiring and/or add in some more picks (likely from Brooklyn). Could also switch Claxton to Cam Johnson if that's preferred.



More of a retool saving money but adding a bunch of younger assets and the 8th overall pick to retool around Tatum when he's healthy. Keeps White.

Whether or not to trade Brown is a philosophical question that a lot of Celtics fans are going to have strong opinions on one way or another. So some are going to flame your post just off the bat there.

Brown's actual trade value is kind of a crap shoot because a lot of metrics paint a less favorable picture of him than his reputation as a star player and many are still weighing that super max in the new CBA. The deal, as you proposed it with Claxton and especially if Cam Johnson, seems like tremendous value for BOS if they do move him. You go post that on the general trade board and people will call you mean names for over valuing Brown, I bet. Again though, some just have a philosophical objection to BOS trading their 2nd best player and how that would impact Tatum's competitive window once back.

If BOS is taking beck Keldon/Vassell then Claxton probably makes more sense. But BOS most likely looks to shed an extra $20M or so to get below the tax altogether if they move Brown so ultimately it's more baout how the follow up deals line up.

[winsomme2]

2nd pick for JB really tempting.

that's the only "blow it up" scenario that might be realistic and I would be fine with.

Agree.

I'm a fan of Harper.

It's one of the only JB trade scenarios that I could be tempted by.

[Fierce1]

Also no need to rush trading KP because he's an expiring.

Cs only need to be under the aprons when the season ends in 2026.

[Celts17Pride]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

Tatum is different.

If he stays with the Celtics, he can become the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Celtic records will be broken if Tatum is a Celtic for life.

Put the green kool-aid down. I'm sure they are saying the same thing in Milwaukee.

[Fierce1]

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

Tatum is different.

If he stays with the Celtics, he can become the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Celtic records will be broken if Tatum is a Celtic for life.

Put the green kool-aid down. I'm sure they are saying the same thing in Milwaukee.

The Bucks are not the Celtics.

Imagine breaking Hondo's scoring record.

JT also has a ring now.
It's not like he's CP3 or Steve Nash.

Winning a chip already achieved.

I'm on the camp of keeping the Jays together, but if the Cs do trade JB, it's not a reason for JT to ask for a trade.

As long as JT and White are still on the team, it will be in the hunt, especially if the #2 pick has the potential to become a star.

[winsomme2]

The more I think about it, the more I'm on Team "blow it up"—if Tatum is really going to miss almost the whole year and if someone offers a godfather package for Jaylen Brown, like the Spurs.

If you're able to get the 2nd pick—which is a big if and probably not that feasible—then I’d pull the trigger. Trade Brown, bring in Dylan Harper, let Tatum sit out for most of the year, get a very high draft pick, and head into the 2026–27 offseason with flexibility and a new core built around Tatum and Harper.

Then, you can either trade that top pick for another star or just draft another young piece to add to the Tatum/Harper core.

Of course, all of this hinges on the Spurs actually being willing to give you the 2nd pick for Brown.

I've mentioned this before, in my opinion if you go the high draft pick route you might as well move Tatum too because he's not going to wait for a draft pick to develop. Tatum took 4/5 years to become what he is, Brown took 5 years, SGA took 5 years. Tatum in my opinion is not waiting 5 years for a draft pick to develop, he would ask out like Giannis is probably going to do now. Just doesn't fit the Tatum time frame in my opinion. If Jaylen Brown is traded, it will be for an already established star in my opinion.

Tatum is different.

If he stays with the Celtics, he can become the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Celtic records will be broken if Tatum is a Celtic for life.

Also, SGA and Tatum took that long to be the franchise player but Jalen Williams was able to essentially be Robin right away. He was a borderline all star in his second year. OKC was already super dangerous last year and now should be good going forward.

It's easier IMO to step into the Robin role. And I see Dylan Harper more in that light. I could see him being really good right away and then actually extending JTs window.

I'm not saying I would do it, but Harper is super interesting to me. Especially because he has that ball handling ability that I am currently obsessed with adding to this team.

The JB factor that makes me hesitate is the Js did show they could win together and there isn't a player that has worked harder to improve his game than JB.

[Celts17Pride]

Tatum is different.

If he stays with the Celtics, he can become the Celtics' all-time leading scorer.

Celtic records will be broken if Tatum is a Celtic for life.

Put the green kool-aid down. I'm sure they are saying the same thing in Milwaukee.

The Bucks are not the Celtics.

Imagine breaking Hondo's scoring record.

JT also has a ring now.
It's not like he's CP3 or Steve Nash.

Winning a chip already achieved.

I'm on the camp of keeping the Jays together, but if the Cs do trade JB, it's not a reason for JT to ask for a trade.

As long as JT and White are still on the team, it will be in the hunt, especially if the #2 pick has the potential to become a star.

Like I said, I'm sure Tatum is looking forward to rehabbing then coming back to wait 4/5 years for a draft pick to develop during the prime years of his career.

[Netaman]

Whether or not to trade Brown is a philosophical question that a lot of Celtics fans are going to have strong opinions on one way or another. So some are going to flame your post just off the bat there.

Brown's actual trade value is kind of a crap shoot because a lot of metrics paint a less favorable picture of him than his reputation as a star player and many are still weighing that super max in the new CBA. The deal, as you proposed it with Claxton and especially if Cam Johnson, seems like tremendous value for BOS if they do move him. You go post that on the general trade board and people will call you mean names for over valuing Brown, I bet. Again though, some just have a philosophical objection to BOS trading their 2nd best player and how that would impact Tatum's competitive window once back.

If BOS is taking beck Keldon/Vassell then Claxton probably makes more sense. But BOS most likely looks to shed an extra $20M or so to get below the tax altogether if they move Brown so ultimately it's more baout how the follow up deals line up.

Thanks for the reply, that makes sense. I could see Nets being in a follow-up deal (or just adding a 4th team) with the Nets taking back KP's expiring instead of Hauser, and maybe send Houser to the 4th team with some kind of meh pick or asset attached from someone. Here's a version of that with the nets pumping out more value to SAS and taking back more salary from Boston.



The SAS part of this equation is obviously the hardest to figure with Giannis/Harper. If Giannis stays and they don't love the fit with Harper/Fox/Castle Brown then makes a lot of sense there. He's younger than Giannis, would cost less in assets, and likely opens their playoff window better than any rookie could. Also resolves some of their positional imbalances. Adding in CamJ gives them a well rounded lineup around Wemby/Fox, and they still have all their future assets to continue adding.

[hugepatsfan]

Also no need to rush trading KP because he's an expiring.

Cs only need to be under the aprons when the season ends in 2026.

That could seriously backfire. The main selling point you have on KP is that the upside is so great that if you're just giving him away for salary savings that it's good value. If you wait until the deadline, he could have a great healthy year and up his value, but he could also be hurt and then you totally tank it.

If you move him now I think you can get salary savings without attaching any assets. Or you could get small assets if you took back salary, but that doesn't really make sense for us. If you wait until the deadline it goes one of two ways where either he nets salary savings AND real value because he's healthy/playing well but if he's injured/ineffective then it goes in the total other direction where now you're attaching some actual assets for those savings if you need them.

You also have to be real with ownership about what the expectations are. If they're demanding you get under the 2nd apron by the deadline, and you're sitting there 5th in the East with Porzingis playing a key role, what happens? You make the cost cutting moves now and the fan base and players will understand/rationalize it, but you do it with a competitive team midyear and now I think you alienate people.

I think the wait and see approach is logical, but in the real world I don't see it as viable. A direction should be firmly established this offseason IMO.

[winsomme2]

Put the green kool-aid down. I'm sure they are saying the same thing in Milwaukee.

The Bucks are not the Celtics.

Imagine breaking Hondo's scoring record.

JT also has a ring now.
It's not like he's CP3 or Steve Nash.

Winning a chip already achieved.

I'm on the camp of keeping the Jays together, but if the Cs do trade JB, it's not a reason for JT to ask for a trade.

As long as JT and White are still on the team, it will be in the hunt, especially if the #2 pick has the potential to become a star.

Like I said, I'm sure Tatum is looking forward to rehabbing then coming back to wait 4/5 years for a draft pick to develop during the prime years of his career.

I'm with Fierce on this. I don't think it would be 4/5 years.

If you had JT come back at next February (obviously no way to know about that) but just for conversation and Brad was able to swing a trade for Dylan Harper. A late season roster of:

DWhite
Jrue
Dylan Harper
JT
KP
Big Al
PP
Hauser

That's pretty interesting. Maybe we'd still have to move Jrue and Hauser for tax reasons, but even without them it still pretty intriguing. At least for the sake of discussion.

[Larry_Russell]

Brown for Giannis

Brown to San Antonio


These are my dream scenarios




Vassell is ready to break the hell out, imo, when paired in the right system (Ours is the right system)
And adding Harper to that as well???? Awesome.




Jrue Holiday to Sacramento
Jaylen Brown and Terrance Davis to the Spurs
Demar Derozan to the Hornets
#2, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Mark Williams, Josh Okogie, (Cash from Charlotte) to Boston


Harper/Pritchard
White/Scheierman/Okogie
Vassell/Hauser/Walsh
Barnes/
Mark/Williams/KP/Kornet/Queta


Explore trades for KP for a big forward (ideally a starter)

[Celts17Pride]

The Bucks are not the Celtics.

Imagine breaking Hondo's scoring record.

JT also has a ring now.
It's not like he's CP3 or Steve Nash.

Winning a chip already achieved.

I'm on the camp of keeping the Jays together, but if the Cs do trade JB, it's not a reason for JT to ask for a trade.

As long as JT and White are still on the team, it will be in the hunt, especially if the #2 pick has the potential to become a star.

Like I said, I'm sure Tatum is looking forward to rehabbing then coming back to wait 4/5 years for a draft pick to develop during the prime years of his career.

I'm with Fierce on this. I don't think it would be 4/5 years.

If you had JT come back at next February (obviously no way to know about that) but just for conversation and Brad was able to swing a trade for Dylan Harper. A late season roster of:

DWhite
Jrue
Dylan Harper
JT
KP
Big Al
PP
Hauser

That's pretty interesting. Maybe we'd still have to move Jrue and Hauser for tax reasons, but even without them it still pretty intriguing. At least for the sake of discussion.

Tatum, Brown, SGA many others took 4/5 years to become what they have become. There is no guarantee Harper will even be good. The draft class every year is a shiny new toy. Guys like Simmons, Zion, J Parker, Wiggins, Jabari Smith, Barnes etc. are always the next best thing. Tatum is not going to wait for that in my opinion. If the Celtics make a big move it will be for a vet not a rookie in my opinion.

[winsomme2]

Like I said, I'm sure Tatum is looking forward to rehabbing then coming back to wait 4/5 years for a draft pick to develop during the prime years of his career.

I'm with Fierce on this. I don't think it would be 4/5 years.

If you had JT come back at next February (obviously no way to know about that) but just for conversation and Brad was able to swing a trade for Dylan Harper. A late season roster of:

DWhite
Jrue
Dylan Harper
JT
KP
Big Al
PP
Hauser

That's pretty interesting. Maybe we'd still have to move Jrue and Hauser for tax reasons, but even without them it still pretty intriguing. At least for the sake of discussion.

Tatum, Brown, SGA many others took 4/5 years to become what they have become. There is no guarantee Harper will even be good. The draft class every year is a shiny new toy. Guys like Simmons, Zion, J Parker, Wiggins, Jabari Smith, Barnes etc. are always the next best thing. Tatum is not going to wait for that in my opinion. If the Celtics make a big move it will be for a vet not a rookie in my opinion.

Oh for sure. It would be a HUGE risk to trade JB for Dylan Harper. No way around it. Do not disagree. Not even saying I would do it at all. I really like the Js together and realize the risk. I honestly do even think SAS would do it either.

I just personally like Dylan Harper as well. And see a lot of Jalen Williams in his game. Very mature. High skill level. Plus, I think it would be easier to step into a Robin type role and play well right away with JT like Jalen did with SGA as opposed to taking over a whole franchise like say Cunningham had to do in DET or Wembanyama had to do with SAS where the timeline to developing is much longer.