Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26, pt 3 – (Trade Deadline = Thurs, Feb. 5, 3pm, ET)

[bucknersrevenge]

Going to be a very interesting the next 17 days before the trade deadline. Celtics RealGM (including myself) seem to be leaning more towards keeping Anfernee Simons but there is one big questions that I don't believe anyone knows, will Simons be happy with a bench role moving forward.

Simons is 26 years old and has been a starter the last 3.5 years before the trade to the Celtics. If Simons wants to be a starter then he could be looking for a starter opportunity next year in the NBA and that could trump everything. Again, I have no clue what he will prioritize after this year.

If Brad Stevens doesn't feel optimistic about resigning Simons then I could easily see him moved over the next 17 days for more longer term assets.

This IS a big question. My hunch from a million miles away is that Simons spoke about wanting to contribute to a winning environment and play on TV in big games that matter before he was even traded. That has been a thing for him for a couple of years now. He has never played in a playoff environment like the TD Garden. That has changed people. The culture with this coach and staff and players is one thing. But playing on national TV at a hotbed like the Garden in front of OUR fans has put a lot of players over the top about being here once they've had the chance. I don't think it will be any different for Simons. It's gonna be everything he ever dreamed of if he makes it beyond the deadline.

Also factoring in is the FA market.who has space to offer him a new deal. As far as I know BOTH LA teams, the Wizards, Nets, Jazz, and Bulls will be under the cap. Few teams are going to be able to offer him the combination of salary, role, visibility (being on the East Coast in primetime matters), and contending situation that we can. He gets to play with some of the best players in the league. Continue his growth into a more complete player, which I think he also appreciates as a challenge.

I think he'll want to start if he comes back for sure but either way I think Brad could convince him that regardless of role that minutes would be there to contribute and perhaps a 2 year deal at a lower rate which saves the team some money but doesn't lock him into that for a long time makes sense for both sides. 2/34-35M is what I'm thinking.

[Parasite]

I’d offer him a 3/48 contract right now and would be thrilled if he accepted it.

[165bows]

I’m fine if he stays and plays well but I’m really not sure how many minutes there are for him once Tatum returns.

I mean, this year he will play some just because but next year would be a different story.

[redslastlaugh]

I’m fine if he stays and plays well but I’m really not sure how many minutes there are for him once Tatum returns.

I mean, this year he will play some just because but next year would be a different story.

Also, playoffs will show if Queta/Garza are playoff capable bigs. If we need to allocate $15M - $30 million for a different starting center for next season, that money has to come from somewhere.

[Bill Lumbergh]

I’m fine if he stays and plays well but I’m really not sure how many minutes there are for him once Tatum returns.

I mean, this year he will play some just because but next year would be a different story.

That's true, but it could also be a case of choosing to keep Simons rather than PP, in which case there'll still be plenty of minutes for him.

[Dogen]

I’d offer him a 3/48 contract right now and would be thrilled if he accepted it.

That seems about right for Simons. A little more than I'd like, and maybe a two year contract is better, but if the team wants to keep him that is certainly in the ball park for negotiations.

And he'd still be 4th on the team as far as salary. Question is: does the team want to pay one of the higher salaries for someone with a skill set that is already covered by White at a salary above, or Hauser/Pritchard at a salary level below? I'm not comparing the skill sets directly, just that the team has an ..."unbalanced investment portfolio" for backcourt and wings. If the team decides to move players other than Simons (and JT, JB, White), than we might get some improvement at the big positions, but probably not afford one of the more elite players.

So far, the Celtics are doing very well with a lot of offensive firepower on the wings, and "center by committee". That may be template for the time being or a great deal shows up.

If Hauser is the expendable one, I'm interested in Day'Ron Sharpe. Hauser to Spurs, Sochan to Nets, Sharpe to Boston. Celtics shave some off the payroll and get a big. Spurs get a lights out shooter and reunion with Luke. Nets get an expiring but a guy who could possibly fit well into their future plans. Sochan is good, but sort of buried in SA.

[Fierce1]

I’m fine if he stays and plays well but I’m really not sure how many minutes there are for him once Tatum returns.

I mean, this year he will play some just because but next year would be a different story.

As long as it's a 3-guard rotation, his minutes will not be affected.

It's Hauser's minutes that will be affected once Tatum returns.

[Fierce1]

I keep finding articles about how the Celtic defense would be elite if they got JJJ.

Guess there's some truth to that.

[djFan71]

I don't see how Simons gets more than the NTMLE. We could go up to that, but I would actually try to get a discount. If he wants to go elsewhere and play meaningful ball, I just don't see clear playoff teams having the ability to give him more. 3/$45M with a team option 3rd year or less with a player option 3rd year. I'm not even sure I'd go that high, probably 3/$40M. If he wants it, great. If not, good luck.

[brackdan70]

I’m fine if he stays and plays well but I’m really not sure how many minutes there are for him once Tatum returns.

I mean, this year he will play some just because but next year would be a different story.

Good point. I don’t mind if he takes some of Pritchards minutes and Tatum and Brown are less than 32 a night. Could have a couple from White as well. Still going to be like a 20min average at best maybe quite a bit less.

Edit: we really should trade Hauser imo. Tatum gets all his 23 minutes and then 3 from white and pritchard each and two from Brown and Simons each. Gives Tatum 33 and we roll!!!

[165bows]

They aren't trading Hauser to keep Simons. Hauser is a better shooter and Joe just went out of his way to say Sam is one of their better defenders.

[darrendaye]

They aren't trading Hauser to keep Simons. Hauser is a better shooter and Joe just went out of his way to say Sam is one of their better defenders.

I'm still looking at Milwaukee for Simons. There are trades to be had if Milwaukee will pay up to move Kuzma to a 3rd team.

[Riverwalk2021]

They need to consolidate the trio of Hauser, Pritchard and Simons. Just a matter of finding the right deal. Too much redundancy when Tatum comes back with your bigs still a major weakness in the POs. POs is about versatility especially on the defensive end with increased physicality. The White/JRUE/Brown/Tatum/Horford lineup was so versatile. That's why guys like Porzingis, Hauser and Prtichard lose value/struggle. They are targeted and can't handle the increase physicality.

[Fierce1]

I don't think PP gets traded.
Ball handling becomes an issue if the Cs don't have PP.

So it's between Hauser and Simons if the Cs are going to make a significant trade, like Zubac or JJJ.

But if it's just for Day Sharpe, Simons and Hauser don't have to be involved in the trade.

White, Simons, and PP are a great 3-guard rotation.
Just have to balance the minutes.

I know Sam will get less minutes when Tatum returns, but so what?
Only use Sam when needed.

Celts are playing well and have great cohesion and chemistry.
So not making drastic changes is the ideal.

But if the Celtics are really going for a home run move, a guy like JJJ would turn the Celtics into the best defensive unit in the NBA today.
At least that's what some articles are saying.

Can't wait for this trade season to be over.

[fallguy]

They aren't trading Hauser to keep Simons. Hauser is a better shooter and Joe just went out of his way to say Sam is one of their better defenders.

Yes. Sam is battle tested, the best shooter on the team, and solid on defense.

It's more likely to me they staple Simons to the bench post-Tatum return than it is they trade Sam.

[djFan71]

I don't think PP gets traded.
Ball handling becomes an issue if the Cs don't have PP.

So it's between Hauser and Simons if the Cs are going to make a significant trade, like Zubac or JJJ.

But if it's just for Day Sharpe, Simons and Hauser don't have to be involved in the trade.

White, Simons, and PP are a great 3-guard rotation.
Just have to balance the minutes.

I know Sam will get less minutes when Tatum returns, but so what?
Only use Sam when needed.

Celts are playing well and have great cohesion and chemistry.
So not making drastic changes is the ideal.

But if the Celtics are really going for a home run move, a guy like JJJ would turn the Celtics into the best defensive unit in the NBA today.
At least that's what some articles are saying.

Can't wait for this trade season to be over.

The running Wall of Shame for this thread disagrees with your last statement.

[djFan71]

I honestly have no idea what Brad will do, or really even what I want him to. First time for this. I think a minor more like Sharpe is great, but am fine if we don't. Anf has been playing well, but I still think he's not here long term. So, I can see trading him, but also not and jsut riding it out thru the playoffs. I've traded Sam plenty of times, but only for $ which we don't seem to care all that much about anymore. And there's no point trading Sam to resign Simons to slightly more (imo).

I think a big move is probably more likely in the summer, but the team is playing so well, and Tatum is close, so you kinda wanna make a move to help this season. But only if it also helps next year, which is the big key.

So..... shrug?

Boucher elsewhere seems the most likely, to get him PT and save us on partial rest of year contract. Beyond, that, man I dunno.

[165bows]

I honestly have no idea what Brad will do, or really even what I want him to. First time for this. I think a minor more like Sharpe is great, but am fine if we don't. Anf has been playing well, but I still think he's not here long term. So, I can see trading him, but also not and jsut riding it out thru the playoffs. I've traded Sam plenty of times, but only for $ which we don't seem to care all that much about anymore. And there's no point trading Sam to resign Simons to slightly more (imo).

I think a big move is probably more likely in the summer, but the team is playing so well, and Tatum is close, so you kinda wanna make a move to help this season. But only if it also helps next year, which is the big key.

So..... shrug?

Boucher elsewhere seems the most likely, to get him PT and save us on partial rest of year contract. Beyond, that, man I dunno.

Simons looked like trash running point in the first half - I think he (along with everyone else) will look better with less responsibility when JT returns.

Queta had the best +/- on the team as is common. Just dump the pick for a big they are close enough to being a real contender that with Tatum and another real big man it’s time.

So if it’s Sharpe or someone bigger name it’s probably time to upgrade hard part imo is they don’t get to really see what they are working with and have to go with adding two variables at the same time which is tough.

Ie kind of flying blind a bit because they won’t know what they’ve got with this team adding JT to it until it’s too late.

[Celts17Pride]

I flip flop everyday on moving Simons. Last night against the Pistons he looked overwhelmed in my opinion. I think if there is a good deal, Brad Stevens won't hesitate to move Simons. I think the only thing that has changed from the beginning of the season is now it's going to take a good deal and the Celtics are not just going to move him for the sake of moving him.

[bfchs123]

Tillman and Boucher for Big Al?