Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[winsomme2]

Parsing Brad's words, I think he mainly doesn't want to trade first round picks to dump money. He probably doesn't want to trade seconds either, but I don't think it's coming down to the seconds.

I imagine teams are asking Brad for his 2026 first round pick or really far our tradeable firsts like our 2031 or 2032.

And Brad is saying, "those are too valuable to use to clean up the accounting. We have to reserve those for basketball purposes."

If BRK would take Ant Simons + 2 second round picks, I think Brad would definitely do that. He just won't do all the seconds nor will he trade any firsts for a pure salary dump. That's how I take it.

Something is bothering me that I wonder if it bothers other people as well.

So Brad has been saying that he doesn't want to trade draft assets in order to get out of money.

I guess that's maybe true but it's not what he's said or done.

Also, if these second rounds are so low in value that they can't even help move Simons contract, then don't trade down and make then even less valuable. Stay and make the pick. There was talent on the board at 32.

[redslastlaugh]

Parsing Brad's words, I think he mainly doesn't want to trade first round picks to dump money. He probably doesn't want to trade seconds either, but I don't think it's coming down to the seconds.

That's how I take it.

Something is bothering me that I wonder if it bothers other people as well.

So Brad has been saying that he doesn't want to trade draft assets in order to get out of money.

I guess that's maybe true but it's not what he's said or done.

Also, if these second rounds are so low in value that they can't even help move Simons contract, then don't trade down and make then even less valuable. Stay and make the pick. There was talent on the board at 32.

Well, the seconds have value. We used seconds to acquire players Brad wanted in the past: Mike Muscala, Xavier Tillman, Jaden Springer. And we may still use seconds to incentivize another team to take Niang or Simons. Could be initially, teams were holding out for a first, but the asking price may come down if they change their view on Celts need to trade. When summer started, I think a lot of teams thought they could extract first round picks from us because we were desperate given how severe is our tax problem.

Some have said, Brad didn't want to give a roster contract to two rookies and #32 pick doesn't generally accept a 2-way contract.
Some have said, Brad doesn't like rookies on the roster generally for reasons we've just speculated about.
Some have said, Brad didn't think any players left on the board had a first round grade and signing a FA like Garza or Minott was just a better use of a roster spot.

I don't know the reason though. I don't think it's that 2nds are not valuable though. Even if Brad doesn't see value in using them for drafting NBA players, other front offices value them quite a lot so they're good to have for future trade optionality.

[phincsfan]

In the end I bet Stevens see’s Simon as a guy who can fill a scoring need while at the same time an asset to be moved at the deadline for the best draft deal.

A playoff contender willing to pay some taxes who won’t mind giving up a pick in the 20’s for him.

[winsomme2]

Parsing Brad's words, I think he mainly doesn't want to trade first round picks to dump money. He probably doesn't want to trade seconds either, but I don't think it's coming down to the seconds.

That's how I take it.

I guess that's maybe true but it's not what he's said or done.

Also, if these second rounds are so low in value that they can't even help move Simons contract, then don't trade down and make then even less valuable. Stay and make the pick. There was talent on the board at 32.

Well, the seconds have value. We used seconds to acquire players Brad wanted in the past: Mike Muscala, Xavier Tillman, Jaden Springer. And we may still use seconds to incentivize another team to take Niang or Simons. Could be initially, teams were holding out for a first, but the asking price may come down if they change their view on Celts need to trade. When summer started, I think a lot of teams thought they could extract first round picks from us because we were desperate given how severe is our tax problem.

Some have said, Brad didn't want to give a roster contract to two rookies and #32 pick doesn't generally accept a 2-way contract.
Some have said, Brad doesn't like rookies on the roster generally for reasons we've just speculated about.
Some have said, Brad didn't think any players left on the board had a first round grade and signing a FA like Garza or Minott was just a better use of a roster spot.

I don't know the reason though. I don't think it's that 2nds are not valuable though. Even if Brad doesn't see value in using them for drafting NBA players, other front offices value them quite a lot so they're good to have for future trade optionality.

Lots of logical speculation here. Hopefully if it’s a price tag issue like you are suggesting it does come down.

I’m just going based on what Brad is saying and doing and right now finding it frustrating.

We have so few ways to add talent and the current roster is just really lacking.

[Riverwalk2021]

Seems like Brad wants to flip Simmons for cheaper useful players and draft assets based on the Derozan proposed trade of Demar + a first for Simmons. Im fine with keeping him but they need to extend him at a discount at like $15M per year otherwise just dump him for a cheaper useful player on a expiring like Vuc.

Niang doesn't fit at all and no doubt he's gone before the trade deadline. Hauser's contract number is more valuable than the player so I could see them keeping him to trade later.

[Fierce1]

Had to display this post just to respond to it when I saw it in someone elses reply.



This is one of the worst takes I have ever seen. Bring that **** to any other board and see where that gets you.


Only negative...


Just like Kyrie....


Jesus, just admit you have never watched him play and youtubed him after hearing about the trade.

God

I watched a few Blazers games the last 2 years.

He's a dynamic scoring guard, just like Kyrie.

No he isnt. Take the L.

There's no L if it's a difference of opinion.

[Parliament10]

True but I’m not taking on that money. Raptors have some decent pieces but they’re all overpaid. At least Simons expires after this year.

People’s heads spin about not wanting the 9th pick in a crappy draft. There’s a reason why Toronto was dangling that pick. After the first few picks it was an absolute toss up on who to draft. 9th pick has a guaranteed number attached to it. No one at that point was worth paying that number plus taking on Barrett for an extra year. But I don’t think anyone is saying Simons is a better player.

FWIW, on Bill Simmons Trade Value Rankings, neither Simons nor Barrett cracks the top 85.

Simons is in a section called "solid assets who can't believe they didn't crack the top 80" along with Jalen Green, PJ Washington, Giddey, Derozan, Draymond and Caruso.

Barrett is nowhere listed at all in the trade value rankings, implying he's a negative asset, ranked outside of the top 125 contracts in the league (there's 125 players listed in the article) which was last updated in January, so prior to the 2025 draft.

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/trade-value

That holds as much value as the **** I just flushed

Cut it out.

You're making a habit of insulting people.

~ Parl

[Patsfan1081]

Parsing Brad's words, I think he mainly doesn't want to trade first round picks to dump money. He probably doesn't want to trade seconds either, but I don't think it's coming down to the seconds.

That's how I take it.

I guess that's maybe true but it's not what he's said or done.

Also, if these second rounds are so low in value that they can't even help move Simons contract, then don't trade down and make then even less valuable. Stay and make the pick. There was talent on the board at 32.

Well, the seconds have value. We used seconds to acquire players Brad wanted in the past: Mike Muscala, Xavier Tillman, Jaden Springer. And we may still use seconds to incentivize another team to take Niang or Simons. Could be initially, teams were holding out for a first, but the asking price may come down if they change their view on Celts need to trade. When summer started, I think a lot of teams thought they could extract first round picks from us because we were desperate given how severe is our tax problem.

Some have said, Brad didn't want to give a roster contract to two rookies and #32 pick doesn't generally accept a 2-way contract.
Some have said, Brad doesn't like rookies on the roster generally for reasons we've just speculated about.
Some have said, Brad didn't think any players left on the board had a first round grade and signing a FA like Garza or Minott was just a better use of a roster spot.

I don't know the reason though. I don't think it's that 2nds are not valuable though. Even if Brad doesn't see value in using them for drafting NBA players, other front offices value them quite a lot so they're good to have for future trade optionality.

All those players just sat the bench. Brad had to use even more assets to dump Springer too, who now is struggling to get minutes in the summer league. Brad doesn’t get any criticism for his drafting, for the most part because he’s always moving out of the picks. I really find it hard believe Brad couldn’t identify one big he liked in all the previous drafts and in turn got a little aggressive to land him.

[Fierce1]

Let's not forget the Cs had KP, Al, Luke, Queta, and Tillman the last 2 seasons.

Maybe Brad was counting on still having most them today.

[dortmunder]

so.... that´s all folks?
this is the roster?

[Fierce1]

so.... that´s all folks?
this is the roster?

Nope!

Patience is the key.

[jirrit]

so.... that´s all folks?
this is the roster?

This is a gap year, all things happening are with 26/27 and the future in mind. They really don't care much about upcoming season, they'll try to find a diamond here or there but chances are slim. Nothing more, nothing less. There's a trade deadline at the All Star break, so still a long window.

[165bows]

so.... that´s all folks?
this is the roster?

Nope!

Patience is the key.

Yeah it’ll eventually get cheaper and worse.

[Fierce1]

so.... that´s all folks?
this is the roster?

Nope!

Patience is the key.

Yeah it’ll eventually get cheaper and worse.

What happened to trust in Brad?

[winsomme2]

Let's not forget the Cs had KP, Al, Luke, Queta, and Tillman the last 2 seasons.

Maybe Brad was counting on still having most them today.

Yeah I think you're right Fierce. When Brad said that he wanted Luke and Al back I believed him. Luke got outpriced unfortunately (well earned though) but I have been holding out hope for Big Al because I believed Brad when he said he wanted him back.

It's pretty frustrating though that we very easily could have Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud right now to backstop the efforts to bring Luke and Al back.

I'm not giving up total hope for Al. But now I'm wishing Brad was more open to attaching some second round picks to contracts to free up money to make a decent offer to Al.

[Fierce1]

Let's not forget the Cs had KP, Al, Luke, Queta, and Tillman the last 2 seasons.

Maybe Brad was counting on still having most them today.

Yeah I think you're right Fierce. When Brad said that he wanted Luke and Al back I believed him. Luke got outpriced unfortunately (well earned though) but I have been holding out hope for Big Al because I believed Brad when he said he wanted him back.

It's pretty frustrating though that we very easily could have Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud right now to backstop the efforts to bring Luke and Al back.

I'm not giving up total hope for Al. But now I'm wishing Brad was more open to attaching some second round picks to contracts to free up money to make a decent offer to Al.

Al returning to the Cs would really bring stability to the frontcourt.

If not then Brad needs to get creative.

Starting to feel like 2019-20, when Al went to Philly and the Cs promoted Theis to starting Center.

Garza is reminding me of Enes Kanter.

Trust in Brad, I guess.

[winsomme2]

Let's not forget the Cs had KP, Al, Luke, Queta, and Tillman the last 2 seasons.

Maybe Brad was counting on still having most them today.

Yeah I think you're right Fierce. When Brad said that he wanted Luke and Al back I believed him. Luke got outpriced unfortunately (well earned though) but I have been holding out hope for Big Al because I believed Brad when he said he wanted him back.

It's pretty frustrating though that we very easily could have Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud right now to backstop the efforts to bring Luke and Al back.

I'm not giving up total hope for Al. But now I'm wishing Brad was more open to attaching some second round picks to contracts to free up money to make a decent offer to Al.

Al returning to the Cs would really bring stability to the frontcourt.

If not then Brad needs to get creative.

Starting to feel like 2019-20, when Al went to Philly and the Cs promoted Theis to starting Center.

Garza is reminding me of Enes Kanter.

Trust in Brad, I guess.

I am super curious about Anfernee Simons but I would let go of that interest if moving his contract meant we could bring Al back.

I'm probably in the minority there but I don't think Al is out of gas yet.

[Fierce1]

Yeah I think you're right Fierce. When Brad said that he wanted Luke and Al back I believed him. Luke got outpriced unfortunately (well earned though) but I have been holding out hope for Big Al because I believed Brad when he said he wanted him back.

It's pretty frustrating though that we very easily could have Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud right now to backstop the efforts to bring Luke and Al back.

I'm not giving up total hope for Al. But now I'm wishing Brad was more open to attaching some second round picks to contracts to free up money to make a decent offer to Al.

Al returning to the Cs would really bring stability to the frontcourt.

If not then Brad needs to get creative.

Starting to feel like 2019-20, when Al went to Philly and the Cs promoted Theis to starting Center.

Garza is reminding me of Enes Kanter.

Trust in Brad, I guess.

I am super curious about Anfernee Simons but I would let go of that interest if moving his contract meant we could bring Al back.

Simons is reminding me of Ainge bouncing back by signing Kemba to a max contract because Kyrie left in free-agency.

Sacrificing Simons just to get Al back is a step back.

Cs need Simons' scoring.

There's just not enough diversity on offense if Simons is just replaced by Al or another role player.

The best case scenario IMO is the Cs swap Simons with Coby White then bring Al back.

Whether it's Simons or not, the Cs need a scorer that can somewhat make up for the missing 27 ppg from Tatum.

[winsomme2]

Al returning to the Cs would really bring stability to the frontcourt.

If not then Brad needs to get creative.

Starting to feel like 2019-20, when Al went to Philly and the Cs promoted Theis to starting Center.

Garza is reminding me of Enes Kanter.

Trust in Brad, I guess.

I am super curious about Anfernee Simons but I would let go of that interest if moving his contract meant we could bring Al back.

Simons is reminding me of Ainge bouncing back by signing Kemba to a max contract because Kyrie left in free-agency.

Sacrificing Simons just to get Al back is a step back.

Cs need Simons' scoring.

There's just not enough diversity on offense if Simons is just replaced by Al or another role player.

The best case scenario IMO is the Cs swap Simons with Coby White then bring Al back.

Whether it's Simons or not, the Cs need a scorer that can somewhat make up for the missing 27 ppg from Tatum.

I’m definitely open to being wrong about this but right now I feel like our weakness in the middle is more limiting our ability to win games than the scoring punch that Simons will bring.

Not being able to rebound or guard the paint is just such a glaring hole.

Getting Coby White would be good. I’ve always liked him.

[Larry_Russell]

Let's not forget the Cs had KP, Al, Luke, Queta, and Tillman the last 2 seasons.

Maybe Brad was counting on still having most them today.

Yeah I think you're right Fierce. When Brad said that he wanted Luke and Al back I believed him. Luke got outpriced unfortunately (well earned though) but I have been holding out hope for Big Al because I believed Brad when he said he wanted him back.

It's pretty frustrating though that we very easily could have Rasheer Fleming and Maxime Raynaud right now to backstop the efforts to bring Luke and Al back.

I'm not giving up total hope for Al. But now I'm wishing Brad was more open to attaching some second round picks to contracts to free up money to make a decent offer to Al.

Brad knew they werent coming back, **** every single poster on this site knew it, the media knew it, every other team knew it.