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

[Fierce1]

I will say it’s coming to the point that they can trade for a guy for the playoffs ie matchups.

And I’m not at all saying Nurk is the guy for the playoffs but they do need a solution on the defensive boards and he’s got the best dreb% in basketball.

That's why all options should be explored.

There are negatives to getting Nurk, but like you said, he's great at rebounding.

Also, it would allow Queta and Garza to continue to play.

Only use Nurk when the matchup is favorable to Nurk's style of play.

[Celts17Pride]

There is a reason why guys like Nurkic and Vucevic are available, they suck.

Keeping Simons is a much better option.

[Cricket23]

I like Sharpe a lot and would love to see him in Boston but I don't think it'll happen. I think the asking price may go too high for their liking since really the Nets should keep him, and if they didn't he would have no shortage of suitors.

Just trying to think of something a little different, and I thought what if Boston kept Simons and dealt Pritchard? Just moving forward to build a championship contender, I see them as comparable players, better suited as 6th men, and no need to have both of them. I know Pritchard is on a great deal, but I believe he's extension eligible this coming offseason. He will be in for a substantial raise. Realistically, what could they resign Simons for? 4/50 or something like that? A big if, but if that's the case, keeping Simons over Pritch might be more affordable long term, and he's about a year and a half younger. I love Pritchard and think he's probably better in just about every area except for generating his own offense against the toughest of defenders. That's a big deal come playoff time. Boston is not getting anyone of value now for Simons unless they themselves add value, while Pritchard likely has good value. So what's better for the on court product moving forward; Pritchard alone, or Simons plus value for Pritchard? It could be the latter especially with that KP TPE sitting there.

[hugepatsfan]

Just want to say that I HATE the MPJ talk that I've seen pop up here. IMO his production in BRK is like the reverse of what we're seeing with Anfernee Simons. People were talking themselves into him being a breakout candidate because of good counting numbers and percentages and underlying data in POR. But then you watch and you see that he was just putting up good individual offense on a bad team. Some guys can be ball dominant players on bad teams and post great individual numbers (even rates and percentages) but offenses that feature them heavily are doomed to suck because they just aren't that good, even if they salvage good individual numbers.

I view MPJ's season in BRK like that. And then we've seen him in DEN where the more you push him down the pecking order on offense, the less he is able to contribute because that's really all he's good at so you end up not getting enough production.

It ain't my money so if they want to take him on fine, but they just traded away a clearly better player in Jrue Holiday making less money than MPJ for the sole purpose of saving money, so I doubt the budget is limitless like that.

[bucknersrevenge]

There is a reason why guys like Nurkic and Vucevic are available, they suck.

Keeping Simons is a much better option.

lol Who even are you right now??

[Fierce1]

Just want to say that I HATE the MPJ talk that I've seen pop up here. IMO his production in BRK is like the reverse of what we're seeing with Anfernee Simons. People were talking themselves into him being a breakout candidate because of good counting numbers and percentages and underlying data in POR. But then you watch and you see that he was just putting up good individual offense on a bad team. Some guys can be ball dominant players on bad teams and post great individual numbers (even rates and percentages) but offenses that feature them heavily are doomed to suck because they just aren't that good, even if they salvage good individual numbers.

I view MPJ's season in BRK like that. And then we've seen him in DEN where the more you push him down the pecking order on offense, the less he is able to contribute because that's really all he's good at so you end up not getting enough production.

It ain't my money so if they want to take him on fine, but they just traded away a clearly better player in Jrue Holiday making less money than MPJ for the sole purpose of saving money, so I doubt the budget is limitless like that.

If it's about budget then it's not an issue because it's a 2-year rental.
MPJ's contract expires next season.

And can't compare the MPJ of Denver to the MPJ of today because it's a different player.

I was not a fan of MPJ when he was in Denver, but this season, he's more under control and he's efficient.

[Celts17Pride]

There is a reason why guys like Nurkic and Vucevic are available, they suck.

Keeping Simons is a much better option.

lol Who even are you right now??

First of all Simons has earned praise with his play.

Second, if it’s a choice between Simons, Vucevic and Nurkic then it’s an easy choice, Simons

[Fierce1]

Player rotation, it's also something to think about when the playoffs start.

Right now Joe is using 10-11 players in the regular season.
But in the playoffs, that will shrink to 8-9 players.

It's either Sam or Simons, but not both.

So trading one of Sam or Simons for a Center should be the ideal.

[cl2117]

Read on Twitter

Pfffftttttttttttt oh my god if Trae gets sent there hahahhahahaha

McCollum and Kispert for Trae for the trade to work.

It's not all bad for the Wiz because they're getting an All-Star in Trae.

Definitely sucks for Trae.

Could be interesting situation for a Simons trade if part of what Atlanta is looking for is expiring salary.

Obviously not if it's Washington since they've got more than enough expiring money, but if it's another team trying to make a big splash on what appears to be a seriously depressed asset in Trae Young, being able to offer a big expiring non-albatross salary could make us an interesting 3rd team that helps make things work.

Could either peel off one of the pieces involved or just cut salary to get us below the tax line.

[brackdan70]

Draft 22 in 2037

[Celts17Pride]

Player rotation, it's also something to think about when the playoffs start.

Right now Joe is using 10-11 players in the regular season.
But in the playoffs, that will shrink to 8-9 players.

It's either Sam or Simons, but not both.

So trading one of Sam or Simons for a Center should be the ideal.

I personally don’t think Brad Stevens is trading either of Simons or Hauser.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Player rotation, it's also something to think about when the playoffs start.

Right now Joe is using 10-11 players in the regular season.
But in the playoffs, that will shrink to 8-9 players.

It's either Sam or Simons, but not both.

So trading one of Sam or Simons for a Center should be the ideal.

I personally don’t think Brad Stevens is trading either of Simons or Hauser.

I personally don't think ownership is willing to pay $39 million of luxury taxes. One of the two will.get dealt for tax savings.

[Celts17Pride]

Player rotation, it's also something to think about when the playoffs start.

Right now Joe is using 10-11 players in the regular season.
But in the playoffs, that will shrink to 8-9 players.

It's either Sam or Simons, but not both.

So trading one of Sam or Simons for a Center should be the ideal.

I personally don’t think Brad Stevens is trading either of Simons or Hauser.

I personally don't think ownership is willing to pay $39 million of luxury taxes. One of the two will.get dealt for tax savings.

We will see

[fallguy]

Just want to say that I HATE the MPJ talk that I've seen pop up here. IMO his production in BRK is like the reverse of what we're seeing with Anfernee Simons. People were talking themselves into him being a breakout candidate because of good counting numbers and percentages and underlying data in POR. But then you watch and you see that he was just putting up good individual offense on a bad team. Some guys can be ball dominant players on bad teams and post great individual numbers (even rates and percentages) but offenses that feature them heavily are doomed to suck because they just aren't that good, even if they salvage good individual numbers.

I view MPJ's season in BRK like that. And then we've seen him in DEN where the more you push him down the pecking order on offense, the less he is able to contribute because that's really all he's good at so you end up not getting enough production.

It ain't my money so if they want to take him on fine, but they just traded away a clearly better player in Jrue Holiday making less money than MPJ for the sole purpose of saving money, so I doubt the budget is limitless like that.

Don't worry. There is no MPJ rumor or informed speculation. It's just message board talk.

[bucknersrevenge]

Didn't see this coming. We're on his list FWIW

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Celts17Pride]

Didn't see this coming. We're on his list FWIW

Read on Twitter

?s=20

I’m sure the Celtics are on a lot of players list

[djFan71]

It's ALMOST getting to the point where our 1st and the NOP second aren't all that different. 6-10 spots possibly. Not nothing, but you could do something like use the first (top 20 protected even):

BKN: Simons, Boucher, top 20 protected 2026 first
BOS: Sharpe, Williams, 2026 ATL 2nd, 2027 2nd, 2028 2nd, 2029 2nd

BRK consolidates up for a first - they have a bazillion seconds. We fill some gaps on picks. It's similar to the 32 trade this year - but a first and tax ducking. Tatum comes back and makes up for the lost scoring from Simons, and we have 2 bigs that can play D. All for 6-10 spots in the draft.

I'm not sure I'd do it, but probably. If you can get a rotation player for pick 25+, you've already won for the most part.

[165bows]

It's ALMOST getting to the point where our 1st and the NOP second aren't all that different. 6-10 spots possibly. Not nothing, but you could do something like use the first (top 20 protected even):

BKN: Simons, Boucher, top 20 protected 2026 first
BOS: Sharpe, Williams, 2026 ATL 2nd, 2027 2nd, 2028 2nd, 2029 2nd

BRK consolidates up for a first - they have a bazillion seconds. We fill some gaps on picks. It's similar to the 32 trade this year - but a first and tax ducking. Tatum comes back and makes up for the lost scoring from Simons, and we have 2 bigs that can play D. All for 6-10 spots in the draft.

I'm not sure I'd do it, but probably. If you can get a rotation player for pick 25+, you've already won for the most part.

It’s kind of random and boring but maybe we are just Sharpe or bust at this point. Give them the first and get some seconds back, like you say, plus Tillman/Boucher and whatever.

And just keep Simons. I really don’t see them taking on Z. Williams at all (even though my man Dean D loved that guy).

Gafford I decided I’m out on and I don’t see happening. And I just don’t see the old retread dept happening I think they are going young not Plumlee if you know what I mean.

It’s kind of boring with this long to go but there’s just not many options out there outside that 3rd stringer from NO I like.

[Larry_Russell]

Didn't see this coming. We're on his list FWIW

Read on Twitter

?s=20

I may be in the minority, but I dont hate Trae.

He, brown, tatum and white would be a lethal rotation.

[Fierce1]

And the only way to trade for Trae is to include DWhite.

So it's not realistic.