2025 Offseason Trade and Free Agency Thread (Wow this is fun!)

[sam_I_am]

No way we trade JB for a bunch of unknowns and someone like Vassell. Harper is 19. If he turns into Cade Cunningham, great, but Cunningham turned into Cunningham in year 4.

-Cade was good before year 4..it's just that the first 3 years he had some of the worst teammates, worst spacing and worst coaching in NBA history.

-Tatum went toe to toe with Lebron in the conference finals as a rookie. Harper is as good a prospect as Tatum was

-The Thunder were the 1 seed when Chet and Jdub were in their 2nd year (1st healthy season for Chet) and they're about to win the finals with chet and jbdub in their 3rd season (2nd healthy season for Chet)

-Paolo led Orlando to the playoffs in his 2nd and 3rd season..

I think JB trade made sense before Tatum injury solely because of new ownership and repeater tax. Now that JT has ruptured Achilles, I don’t see how the C’s can risk trading JB without a sure thing coming back. JT may not be great any more…..I think he will come back strong but it is not a sure thing.

[cloverleaf]

MIA gives: Rozier, DRob, future picks
MIA gets: Durant

BOS gives: Porzingis, Holiday
BOS gets: Rozier, Drob

ATL gives: nothing
ATL gets: Grayson Allen (TPE)

PHX gives: Durant, Allen
PHX gets: Porzingis, Jrue, future MIA picks

Suns duck the 2nd apron if they do this after declining options on Martin/Micic. They get the future MIA picks for Durant and get some good players to run with Booker in the meantime.

We don't all the way duck the 2nd apron, but save $16.6M of the ~$24M we need to do so. Not sure on the rules with Drob, but maybe if this is done in old league year we could waive him for $10M in 25-26 season. In either case, between Rozier/DRob on expiring deals there should be plenty of follow ups out there to get the rest of the way below the 2nd apron, below the tax if we wanted, add some good players while still ducking the 2nd apron if we want to add picks, etc. Lots of options.

Yuck! I really don't want Rozier back!

[Celts17Pride]

MIA gives: Rozier, DRob, future picks
MIA gets: Durant

BOS gives: Porzingis, Holiday
BOS gets: Rozier, Drob

ATL gives: nothing
ATL gets: Grayson Allen (TPE)

PHX gives: Durant, Allen
PHX gets: Porzingis, Jrue, future MIA picks

Suns duck the 2nd apron if they do this after declining options on Martin/Micic. They get the future MIA picks for Durant and get some good players to run with Booker in the meantime.

We don't all the way duck the 2nd apron, but save $16.6M of the ~$24M we need to do so. Not sure on the rules with Drob, but maybe if this is done in old league year we could waive him for $10M in 25-26 season. In either case, between Rozier/DRob on expiring deals there should be plenty of follow ups out there to get the rest of the way below the 2nd apron, below the tax if we wanted, add some good players while still ducking the 2nd apron if we want to add picks, etc. Lots of options.

Yuck! I really don't want Rozier back!

Not to mention, why are the Celtics helping the Heat get Durant?

[sam_I_am]

No way we trade JB for a bunch of unknowns and someone like Vassell. Harper is 19. If he turns into Cade Cunningham, great, but Cunningham turned into Cunningham in year 4.

-Cade was good before year 4..it's just that the first 3 years he had some of the worst teammates, worst spacing and worst coaching in NBA history.

-Tatum went toe to toe with Lebron in the conference finals as a rookie. Harper is as good a prospect as Tatum was

-The Thunder were the 1 seed when Chet and Jdub were in their 2nd year (1st healthy season for Chet) and they're about to win the finals with chet and jbdub in their 3rd season (2nd healthy season for Chet)

-Paolo led Orlando to the playoffs in his 2nd and 3rd season..

I think JB trade made sense before Tatum injury solely because of new ownership and repeater tax. Now that JT has ruptured Achilles, I don’t see how the C’s can risk trading JB without a sure thing coming back. JT may not be great any more…..I think he will come back strong but it is not a sure thing.

[165bows]

Gonna post this again: Devin Vassell is very overrated on here and most Spurs fans don't like him that much

Vassell is what he is and would attract suitors from struggling teams. He is an asset.

I would not take him on for free at half his contract personally.

[playa-hater]

Why does everyone want to trade JB? The only guy I'd even think twice about trading him away for is Giannis. Makes no sense to break up this nucleus, they've done nothing but win since they've been together.,

Everyone does not want to trade brown. For those that, do I think it would require a significant package. And I would bet brad stevens thinks along those lines i think you absolutely have to listen to any offers. That may be out there. I would also think we should all trust. Brad Stevens in a decision. He makes whether to keep or trade him.

Time will tell

[djFan71]

Brown to Pelicans

Kelly Olynyk, Jrue Holiday, #28 to Toronto

RJ Barrett, Trey Murphy 3, Hawkins, (Salary filler from Toronto ~ 7 mill) and #7 to Boston (sheds about 21 million)

Ship off Hauser with the #7 to move up, or just stay and draft a PF to fill in for Tatum for the year.

White/Pritchard
RJ/Scheierman
Murphy3/Hawkins
?????/Horford
KP/Kornet

I'm not a huge RJ fan. Don't think NOP makes sense for JB. But maybe Harper does?

BOS in: 7, 14, Trey Murphy III, NOP 2029 1st, Olynyk
BOS out: Brown

SAS in: Brown, 28
SAS out: #2, #14, Vassel and Keldon

NOP in: #2, Vassell, Keldon
NOP out: Trey, #7, 2029 1st, KO

This feels reasonable on all sides. I could honestly ask for more to trade JB, but trying to keep it somewhat palatable on the other sides.

SAS gets JB, and their costs are over with now. Average to Meh to bad salary and their 2 super valuable picks. But, nothing future. And we even give #28 back so they at least have a pick this year to enable trading future picks if they do other deals pre-draft.

NOP gets to upgrade from #7 to #2 for Trey, taking on some playable wings salary, and a future pick. I chose 2029 since we don't have one. If I ask for more from anyone, it's NOP adding another pick.

BOS gets a really good, young, JB replacement, two lotto picks in a good draft, and a future pick.

BOS doesn't actually save much money. You still do Jrue, KP and possibly Hauser deals to duck the tax. Without those 3, you have $30M below the tax for money you get back for them and Kornet. But only 2 roster spots left (since you added 4 players here). So, more work to do but plenty of maneuverability to do it.

I just saw you posted this on the trade board and knew immediately where that NOP package was heading.

As far as JB trades go this is pretty damn good. Murphy isn't Brown but he costs less than 50% of what Jaylen does over the next 4 years and gives you at least 75% of the production plus he only turned 25 yesterday so there is still room to grow.

I think the real linchpin that determines how this trade would ultimately work out comes down to who you get at #7 and #14. Feels like the consensus top 5 on most boards is Flagg, Harper, Ace, VJ, Tre Johnson. Flagg is a tier of his own but I think that next 4 is also separated from the rest. I would really want to be able to get my hands on one of those guys because the next tier feels really flat to me. I'd try and trade up to #4 or #5 if possible even if that meant relinquishing #14.

Leaving who you get to the side, it'd be great if they can pull extra value like that '29 NOP first and/or anything else from SAS. We'd be putting the kind of asset chest together where you could feasible stack a whole bunch together to go get a healthy Tatum another surperstar when they inevitably end up on the block. Two lotto picks from '25, our own probably high pick in '26, I think we can add up to 3 more picks and then if you're putting that together with the likes of Murphy or White or some of the fodder you get back in KP/Jrue trades and you've got something sizeable enough that it could land a big name.

You got me! I left Brown out of the T&T board one cuz people lose their mind if you ask for even a top 55 protected 2nd for him. I knew Spurs fans would hate trading 2, and there's some validity there. I might put Maluach in your 2nd tier too, but that still leaves 7 out in the cold with KJ or any number of choices. But, I like Trey more than anything you could get from the 4-6 teams. If the draft is the main focus of the deal, you probably just keep #2.

Was more of a fun exercise than anything. I ultimately probably don't trade JB. Just wanted to see if there was a version I could come up with that I liked.

[Celts17Pride]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

[ddb]

No way we trade JB for a bunch of unknowns and someone like Vassell. Harper is 19. If he turns into Cade Cunningham, great, but Cunningham turned into Cunningham in year 4.

-Cade was good before year 4..it's just that the first 3 years he had some of the worst teammates, worst spacing and worst coaching in NBA history.

-Tatum went toe to toe with Lebron in the conference finals as a rookie. Harper is as good a prospect as Tatum was

-The Thunder were the 1 seed when Chet and Jdub were in their 2nd year (1st healthy season for Chet) and they're about to win the finals with chet and jbdub in their 3rd season (2nd healthy season for Chet)

-Paolo led Orlando to the playoffs in his 2nd and 3rd season..

I think JB trade made sense before Tatum injury solely because of new ownership and repeater tax. Now that JT has ruptured Achilles, I don’t see how the C’s can risk trading JB without a sure thing coming back. JT may not be great any more…..I think he will come back strong but it is not a sure thing.

The 96 Spurs once David Robinson went down said, "there's generational talent in the upcoming draft. let's punt a season which is lost anyway, and maybe we can land Duncan to pair with Robinson." The rest is history. AJ Dybantsa is a bigtime prospect. 6'9 two-way monster. Right now, everyone is focused on Cooper Flagg. AJ is even better.

I think Brad, giveth the current situation with Tatum out with a serious injury, is actually in a pretty good spot. Option 1: Find a way to add to this roster and get under the apron. It's possible but will require swapping out some core players for new core players...By keeping JB/White you have a foundation. Option 2 is nuclear, but by moving JB, White and others you can rehaul overnight essentially and then be absolutely loaded with young stars once Tatum comes back. I just hope he picks a clear path and sticks with it. Both can be great paths.

[ddb]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

Imagine having to watch Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle on the same team? Yikes. No Thank You. Not a Randle guy with the tunnel vision that dude has.

[Celts17Pride]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

Imagine having to watch Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle on the same team? Yikes. No Thank You. Not a Randle guy with the tunnel vision that dude has.

Expiring, doesn’t really matter who the player is. You get off of Holiday’s future money and get a mid draft pick

[djFan71]

Just looked players contracts, JB&White have 4 years remaining, JT 5years and Prichard 3 years.

Boston is goid enough to win it all, just need to fix the C position longterm, because Porzingis is never healthy.

Bench can be fixed with veterans if young players will not show enough. Usually teams do not go more than 8-9 deepin playoffs.

There is really no need for dome crazy trades, because top 4 us goid enough to win it.

People are dying for the Celtics to be mediocre again, that's the only time they are truly happy.

Cough. #5 and John Collins. Cough.

[djFan71]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

Imagine having to watch Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle on the same team? Yikes. No Thank You. Not a Randle guy with the tunnel vision that dude has.

Expiring, doesn’t really matter who the player is. You get off of Holiday’s future money and get a mid draft pick

I think it's a 3 team-er and we do try to duck the apron.
Holiday to good team, good player to team X like ATL that can take on salary, rest to Cs. Save $10-15M or so that way.
Same type deal with KP or just a Hauser dump.
Duck the 2nd. The tax line is going to be tough, but 2nd seems achievable.

[Larry_Russell]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

Imagine having to watch Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle on the same team? Yikes. No Thank You. Not a Randle guy with the tunnel vision that dude has.

Expiring, doesn’t really matter who the player is. You get off of Holiday’s future money and get a mid draft pick

Which is pointless when the objective is to save a quarter of a billion in payroll tax

[Celts17Pride]

Imagine having to watch Jaylen Brown and Julius Randle on the same team? Yikes. No Thank You. Not a Randle guy with the tunnel vision that dude has.

Expiring, doesn’t really matter who the player is. You get off of Holiday’s future money and get a mid draft pick

Which is pointless when the objective is to save a quarter of a billion in payroll tax

It sets the Celtics up pefectly for 2026/2027 and beyond.

Celtics #1 priority this off-season should be without question getting off of Holiday's $34.8 million in 2026/2027 and $37.2 million in 2027/2028. Celtics can move players later during the season.

Moving Holiday should be top priority.

[fallguy]

Another priority is getting younger and way more athletic. I think this will be a focus over the next 24 months.

[klemen44]

Also Derozan is not a bad idea, 25 mil contract 25/26, only 10 million guaranted for 26/27.

[playa-hater]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

I would be fine with just about any of those.

[hugepatsfan]

Porzingis to CHA for Nurkic and Okogie with CHA chipping in 2nds to dump Okogie elsewhere. Nurkic to LAL for Vandy and one of Kleber/Vincent, LAL and us each chip in a 2nd to dump Kleber/Vincent somewhere else.

Jrue to DAL in a deal that sends back Klay and dumps all the other pieces elsewhere, whether it's Gafford/Marshall/Martin/Hardy/etc.

Salary dump Hauser into a TPE somewhere.

End result is Porzingis/Holiday/Hauser for Klay/Vandy/minimum signing to backfill extra roster spot. Klay and Vandy obviously huge downgrades but they're playable players. We duck the tax.

Next year you have Klay's expiring deal to attach picks to and Vandy on a 2 year, $25M deal that's multi year but still very usable in trades (like when we traded Theis' 2 year deal in the Brogdon deal). We'd be below the tax by a couple million, and there'd be incentive to stay under another year to reset repeater rates, but we don't HAVE to. With picks attached you could probably turn Vandy's 2 year dela and Klay's expiring deal for a combined $30M of salary into better pieces still staying under, We'd be eligible to do S&Ts, as an example. We also CAN go over the tax if ownership/front office think it's worth it so it's not hard rule to stay under.

This isn't fun, this isn't sexy, but IMO it's the best direction. Preserves all of our main assets in terms of picks and players (Brown, White, Pritchard) while saving tons of money and leaving tons of flexibility to build another contender around Tatum/Brown/White.

[hugepatsfan]

I predict Brad Stevens will end up making a trade like:

Holiday for McCollum, #23
Holiday for Randle, #17
Holiday for Collins, #21
Holiday for Rozier, #20
etc.

All players on expiring contracts

Stevens won’t be able right away to get under the 2nd apron so he will take a chance on a player for a half of the year then move that player for assets (2nd round pick(s), reduced salary coming back at the trade deadline. It will take Brad Stevens the year to get under the 2nd apron and it will keep the Celtics in good playoff position for when Tatum potentially comes back later in the year.

I would be fine with just about any of those.

I think pretty much anyone would be, which speaks to how unrealistic they are based on the reported valuations of those players league wide and how neutral observers/other team's fans feel.

That said, it only takes one of those FOs to break off from the "consensus" opinion and a deal can get done. But if any of those deals were to happen, the other team will be pretty universally panned and criticized on boards like this and by writers as being terrible for them on value, which speaks to how they probably aren't fair expectations.