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

[Celts17Pride]

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Looks like speculation to me.

[Celts17Pride]

I want either Giannis or Harper and Vassell.

And I think I get my wish this offseason.

I'm 99.9% certain none of those players will be on the Celtics in 2025/2026.

[Larry_Russell]

Read on Twitter

Looks like speculation to me.

Would GLADLY take Williams.

[Celts17Pride]

Read on Twitter

Looks like speculation to me.

Would GLADLY take Williams.

Don't think the Celtics would be interested in Williams because after next year he is going to want big money but who knows? Maybe the Celtics get a 1 year look at him.

[brackdan70]

I want either Giannis or Harper and Vassell.

And I think I get my wish this offseason.

I'm 99.9% certain none of those players will be on the Celtics in 2025/2026.

I am 100% certain

[brackdan70]

Read on Twitter

Looks like speculation to me.

Would GLADLY take Williams.

Don't think the Celtics would be interested in Williams because after next year he is going to want big money but who knows? Maybe the Celtics get a 1 year look at him.

Yeah likely only if he is part of a larger salary shedding deal.

[celticgreenie]

I can definitely believe the Mark Williams rumors and Celtics as his agent is Jeff Schwartz, who has represented countless Celtics over the years. I would really appreciate it if he could send Jokic or Cunningham our way...

[playa-hater]

Actually, no you don't. When you are a contending team, which is what you are with Tatum/Brown, you don't trade one of those guys for a high draft pick when both are still in their prime. Because even if you "feel" a guy will eventually be good the keys is he very well might not be, and almost definitely won't be immediately.

People treat these prospects as sure things; they very much are not. The first pick is usually very good, but once you get past that things drop of quickly. i looked up the outcomes of picks 2-5 for the 2006-2021 drafts (22-24 are too early to tell). But of those 18 years the and the 72 players picked 2-5 in those drafts only 28 went on to make at least one all-star team. Thats a 38% chance to get a guy who makes at least one all-star team.

So based on your philosophy, you wouldn't have traded Brown for rookie Cade Cunningham? Yet Cade is turning out to be an MVP level player already, all while making far less money. My point is taking one step back to take 2 or 3 steps forward is well worth it. Now all this only matters if You believe Harper can be that good. Certainly not a sure thing, but taking the right gamble can pay huge dividends.

No, I would not have, not at the time of his drafting. First off, the idea that Cade is "turning out to be an MVP level player already" is insane over hype. He made all-NBA third team, let's take a breath. Secondly thanks to that he's going to make 46 million next year, that's only 8 million less than Jaylen will make. Hardly "making far less money."

Besides those caveats, Cade will be good for a long time. But the point is YOU DON'T KNOW THAT at the time of the draft. He was a #1 pick, the Celtics won't be trading for a #1 pick, they'd be trading Jaylen for something like #2-#10, which as I pointed out has a pretty low success rate, even at the low of bar of ever making a single all-star team. You might get a Cade level player, but the odds are higher you get a Michael Beasley, a James Wiseman or a some fine but unremarkable rotation guy.

Just 2 points. Cade going forward will certainly be in the MVP talks. and your point on not knowing about Cade becoming great certainly holds true for anyone drafted. I did say it would be a gamble. But at times a "calculated gamble" is what makes or breaks a team.

[playa-hater]

I am now firmly convinced SAS are trading for Giannis. They have so much Ammo. That would put the spurs as favorites for years IMO.

The rumor of KD to Houston I also believe comes to Fruition.

[keevsnick1]

So based on your philosophy, you wouldn't have traded Brown for rookie Cade Cunningham? Yet Cade is turning out to be an MVP level player already, all while making far less money. My point is taking one step back to take 2 or 3 steps forward is well worth it. Now all this only matters if You believe Harper can be that good. Certainly not a sure thing, but taking the right gamble can pay huge dividends.

No, I would not have, not at the time of his drafting. First off, the idea that Cade is "turning out to be an MVP level player already" is insane over hype. He made all-NBA third team, let's take a breath. Secondly thanks to that he's going to make 46 million next year, that's only 8 million less than Jaylen will make. Hardly "making far less money."

Besides those caveats, Cade will be good for a long time. But the point is YOU DON'T KNOW THAT at the time of the draft. He was a #1 pick, the Celtics won't be trading for a #1 pick, they'd be trading Jaylen for something like #2-#10, which as I pointed out has a pretty low success rate, even at the low of bar of ever making a single all-star team. You might get a Cade level player, but the odds are higher you get a Michael Beasley, a James Wiseman or a some fine but unremarkable rotation guy.

Just 2 points. Cade going forward will certainly be in the MVP talks. and your point on not knowing about Cade becoming great certainly holds true for anyone drafted. I did say it would be a gamble. But at times a "calculated gamble" is what makes or breaks a team.

He might be an MVP candidate going forward, he might never progress past where he is right now. The leap from 15th bets player to top 5 is the roughest jump in the game.

As for gambles I'm fine with gambles, but not when you know that your teams ceiling is championship. You throw that way chasing a gamble and it might be 30 years before you get back.

There are situations in which I'd trade Brown, or White, or really anybody not named Tatum. Those situations are not for a draft pick heavy package.

[cl2117]

Taking $ savings and number of trades to the extreme... I'm not sure I'd do it, but if both guys pan out, it's a coup.

In: Lonzo, Marshall, 27, SAC 26 2nd, CHA 27 2nd, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK) from DET, $56.5M in savings
Out: Jrue, KP, Hauser, Tillman, 28

This is getting 2 young-ish players (both 27) I really like, adding some future 2nd round picks, and moving up 1 spot in this draft.
Plenty of space to resign Al and Kornet while still being under the tax. Probably another vet as well.

Lonzo has the knee risk, but he's a great defender / passer / 3pt shooter when healthy. Great buy low due to the injury risk.
Marshall same premise - buy low now before he busts out. Hope this year's shooting was the anomaly, not 23-24.


White, Pritchard, Brown, Horford, Kornet
Lonzo, Baylor, Walsh, Marshall, Queta
27, JD, 32, vet FA
* Tatum

Won't win a ton as is, but with Tatum back, that's a contender again. Esp if Baylor, 28 or vet FA amount to anything.

Obviously won't happen, but I did all the math, so look in the spoiler if you're crazy enough to. Depending on what Luke/Al sign for you don't even have to do the Hauser part.

Spoiler:

Trade 1
------------
BOS in: Gafford, Marshall, Mann, Niang
BOS out: Jrue, KP, Tillman

DAL in: Jrue, Tillman
DAL out: Gafford, Marshall, Martin

ATL in: KP, Martin
ATL out: Mann, Niang

Saves $18.5M


Trade 2
-----------
Hauser to SAC for SAC 26 2nd, CHA 27 2nd
Saves $10 M

Trade 3
--------
BOS in: Lonzo, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK)
BOS out: Mann, Niang, 28

CHI in: Mann, Fontecchio, 28
CHI out: Lonzo

DET in: Niang
DET out: Fontecchio, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK)
Saves $13.7M

Bulls sell on Lonzo and get a pick
Pistons get a tough vet for same $

Trade 4
-------
BKN in: Knecht, Vanderbilt
BKN out: 27

LAL in: Gafford
LAL out: Knecht, Vanderbilt

BOS in: 27
BOS out: Gafford
Saves $14.3M

Lakers get Luka's lob threat / off Vanderbilt contract.
BKN gets Knecht and eats salary that doesn't matter for one of their redundant picks.

I like the concept but I just don't believe in the horses you've chosen in Lonzo and Marshall. Still though with that kind of cap savings and that little investment on our part to get it done makes it worth considering.

I'm not a believer in Naji. Last year very much feels like the aberration for his career rather than the early breakout year. Lonzo I would love healthy but I just don't believe in that knee. Both relatively reasonable punts at their salary numbers. I know he's a year longer but I'd take Caleb Martin over Marhsall if that's an option.

And then I'd still look to keep Hauser and manage what I could spend on Luke/Al around that. Hopefully still bring back Luke and have the chance to keep Horford on the vet minimum if he's down for another year (probably wishful thinking).

I just think Hauser is a really valuable rotation piece that fits well next to whatever else we end up having on the roster. Plus I think he has the chance to be a sneaky good flip candidate if Tatum/JB are out of action most of next year. If he can get up ten 3's a game I think he averages 15+ points and all of a sudden we might be getting a 1st back for him rather than 2nds if we were forced to put him on the market.

[Larry_Russell]

I am now firmly convinced SAS are trading for Giannis. They have so much Ammo. That would put the spurs as favorites for years IMO.

The rumor of KD to Houston I also believe comes to Fruition.

I dont think they do. fit is weird.

But maybe..

[Fierce1]

Mark Williams is worth a look.

Has a higher ceiling than Gafford.

[Gant]

John Karalis‬

Austin Ainge, on Brad Stevens reaction to him getting the President of Basketball Operations job in Utah: "He tried to negotiate with me, like, immediately. It was great.”

https://bsky.app/profile/johnkaralis.com/post/3lqplckiycs2h

[165bows]

Idk Spurs have a few really solid draft assets but I don’t love their young tradeable players outside of castle.

Keldon Johnson, Barnes, Vassell are the epitome of valueless salary filler imo.

Castle, #2, #14, unp ATL first and some lesser picks is a solid offer but it’s not overwhelming. Guess I’m just spoiled from the Nets trade idk.

[WeLikeOurGuys]

I'm sorry, but I don't think we need another often-injured big man named Williams on this team. In fact, can we please get a big who's not injury-prone, so we don't have to rely so heavily on Horford during the regular season?

[Celts17Pride]

I'm sorry, but I don't think we need another often-injured big man named Williams on this team. In fact, can we please get a big who's not injury-prone, so we don't have to rely so heavily on Horford during the regular season?

I personally like Gafford because of his rebounding and toughness. I would also like Queta to develop a mean streak over the summer. Mitchell Robinson pretty much pushed every Celtics center around like that were rag dolls in the playoffs. I personally need Stevens to get some tougher big men.

[ddb]

Read on Twitter

Looks like speculation to me.

Would GLADLY take Williams.

I'll pass on having another often-injured Williams play center for the Boston Celtics. No Thank You

[brackdan70]

Read on Twitter

Looks like speculation to me.

Would GLADLY take Williams.

I'll pass on having another often-injured Williams play center for the Boston Celtics. No Thank You

Yeah. He plays even less than Porzingis.

[djFan71]

Taking $ savings and number of trades to the extreme... I'm not sure I'd do it, but if both guys pan out, it's a coup.

In: Lonzo, Marshall, 27, SAC 26 2nd, CHA 27 2nd, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK) from DET, $56.5M in savings
Out: Jrue, KP, Hauser, Tillman, 28

This is getting 2 young-ish players (both 27) I really like, adding some future 2nd round picks, and moving up 1 spot in this draft.
Plenty of space to resign Al and Kornet while still being under the tax. Probably another vet as well.

Lonzo has the knee risk, but he's a great defender / passer / 3pt shooter when healthy. Great buy low due to the injury risk.
Marshall same premise - buy low now before he busts out. Hope this year's shooting was the anomaly, not 23-24.


White, Pritchard, Brown, Horford, Kornet
Lonzo, Baylor, Walsh, Marshall, Queta
27, JD, 32, vet FA
* Tatum

Won't win a ton as is, but with Tatum back, that's a contender again. Esp if Baylor, 28 or vet FA amount to anything.

Obviously won't happen, but I did all the math, so look in the spoiler if you're crazy enough to. Depending on what Luke/Al sign for you don't even have to do the Hauser part.

Spoiler:

Trade 1
------------
BOS in: Gafford, Marshall, Mann, Niang
BOS out: Jrue, KP, Tillman

DAL in: Jrue, Tillman
DAL out: Gafford, Marshall, Martin

ATL in: KP, Martin
ATL out: Mann, Niang

Saves $18.5M


Trade 2
-----------
Hauser to SAC for SAC 26 2nd, CHA 27 2nd
Saves $10 M

Trade 3
--------
BOS in: Lonzo, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK)
BOS out: Mann, Niang, 28

CHI in: Mann, Fontecchio, 28
CHI out: Lonzo

DET in: Niang
DET out: Fontecchio, 2029 2nd (worse of MIL, NYK)
Saves $13.7M

Bulls sell on Lonzo and get a pick
Pistons get a tough vet for same $

Trade 4
-------
BKN in: Knecht, Vanderbilt
BKN out: 27

LAL in: Gafford
LAL out: Knecht, Vanderbilt

BOS in: 27
BOS out: Gafford
Saves $14.3M

Lakers get Luka's lob threat / off Vanderbilt contract.
BKN gets Knecht and eats salary that doesn't matter for one of their redundant picks.

I like the concept but I just don't believe in the horses you've chosen in Lonzo and Marshall. Still though with that kind of cap savings and that little investment on our part to get it done makes it worth considering.

I'm not a believer in Naji. Last year very much feels like the aberration for his career rather than the early breakout year. Lonzo I would love healthy but I just don't believe in that knee. Both relatively reasonable punts at their salary numbers. I know he's a year longer but I'd take Caleb Martin over Marhsall if that's an option.

And then I'd still look to keep Hauser and manage what I could spend on Luke/Al around that. Hopefully still bring back Luke and have the chance to keep Horford on the vet minimum if he's down for another year (probably wishful thinking).

I just think Hauser is a really valuable rotation piece that fits well next to whatever else we end up having on the roster. Plus I think he has the chance to be a sneaky good flip candidate if Tatum/JB are out of action most of next year. If he can get up ten 3's a game I think he averages 15+ points and all of a sudden we might be getting a 1st back for him rather than 2nds if we were forced to put him on the market.

Yeah, this was my "take it to the extreme" trial balloon. I doubt we go this far. You could stop anywhere on that path. Keep Hauser, Martin, etc. But I wanted to follow this one thru to the end.

Any ideas who you would want to target? I think young guys in that $10-18M/year range, signed for a couple, that have some upside still. That's what I was looking for. I'm even willing to throw in picks to make it happen for the right guy(s).

EDIT: Made a new thread for young trade targets:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2461920