Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[djFan71]

Ok, so maybe that's the next move here. We got under the 2nd apron so now we can send cash out in a trade..so maybe now the next move is dumping Tillman via trade, sending cash out like we did with Vonleh.

Then we'd only be at 13 standard contracts though so the next move after that would probably be signing someone else to a cheap standard contract - possibly Simmons or Bassey.

Could be an option at the deadline too - send out X (or whichever min isn't cutting it) and cash, then do 10 days and sign a pro-rated min at the last possible date. Probably save $6-7M in taxes.

Yeah, that's possible. But if we really want to sign someone like Simmons or Bassey, we probably need to do it quick, like in the next few days or we risk them signing elsewhere.

Yep, just saying it was another option. Definitely possible that we dump him to sign a different min this summer, though.

[Hal14]

Don't think it's been posted yet, so:

https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/warriors-lakers-nba-expansion-offseason-fan-mailbag

Other situations, like Anfernee Simons in Boston and Dalton Knecht in Los Angeles, will certainly be key talking points at the trade deadline. The Boston Celtics have remained active on the trade market this offseason, even after trading for Simons and Georges Niang. While they have talked with teams about both players, the Celtics will likely enter the season with these two on their roster.

It is very possible that Simons and/or Niang could be flipped to cut costs at the trade deadline, depending on where Boston is in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics do want to see how Simons fits in Joe Mazzulla's system, as he is a player they are intrigued by given his 3-point shooting prowess.

Boston and New York have also been mentioned as potential suitors. The Celtics just got out of the second apron, and they aren't in the best spot to contend this upcoming season, which would make Simmons' fit questionable. Then again, perhaps this could be a “tryout year” for Simmons in Boston to see if he would fit in with their long-term plans once Jayson Tatum recovers from his Achilles injury.

I wouldn't rule out the Celtics here.

TL/DR suns not interested in Ben Simmons. The most likely destination for him is SAC, followed by BOS, followed by Knicks. Celtics will likely have Niang and Simons on opening night roster but both could be moved at the trade deadline.

[celtxman]

Celtics are not paying a $70+ million tax bill in 2025/2026 for a team the has little to no chance of doing something this season. It's just bad business. More moves are coming, it's just a matter of when.

We're seeing what new ownership won't spend for. The question is what will they spend for when the time comes? Will they go over the 2nd apron if appropriate, that would clearly make them a great team? Or will they be more concerned with bad business?

[Celts17Pride]

Celtics are not paying a $70+ million tax bill in 2025/2026 for a team the has little to no chance of doing something this season. It's just bad business. More moves are coming, it's just a matter of when.

We're seeing what new ownership won't spend for. The question is what will they spend for when the time comes? Will they go over the 2nd apron if appropriate, that would clearly make them a great team? Or will they be more concerned with bad business?

We will find out in 2026/2027.

[Bad-Thoma]

I am really rather surprised that almost nobody is buying what I am selling. And that ben simmons is a win win situation.

If he's absolute trash, that goes to our tank position

If he ends up playing anywhere near what he used to do. What a great versatile pick up.

All at the bottom of the barrel price.

I've actually been thinking about Simmons a bit since right after the playoffs, if there was one thing the team could use it's a table setter. Looking at it the options at vet min were lean, Chris Paul, Simmons, Westbrook, really nothing all that impressive. CP3 made no sense at all in a bridge year even at the min, Westbrook really wasn't a table setter even when he was a triple double guy, but Simmons is a somewhat better fit as he can defend in the front court by the standards of our current roster. I agree with the win/win, I'd love to see a 2 year min with a team option year 2 but I think if he lands here it'll probably be a 1 year min. I'm not sure Simmons is still a table setter but a one year tryout would be interesting considering the stakes are really low.

Here's my favorite stat that I recently found: Ben Simmons, a notoriously unwilling shooter by reputation, has the exact same fga/36 for his career as someone some of our board called a "chucker" on regular basis, Marcus Smart. It's interesting how narratives take hold.

[playa-hater]

I am really rather surprised that almost nobody is buying what I am selling. And that ben simmons is a win win situation.

If he's absolute trash, that goes to our tank position

If he ends up playing anywhere near what he used to do. What a great versatile pick up.

All at the bottom of the barrel price.

I've actually been thinking about Simmons a bit since right after the playoffs, if there was one thing the team could use it's a table setter. Looking at it the options at vet min were lean, Chris Paul, Simmons, Westbrook, really nothing all that impressive. CP3 made no sense at all in a bridge year even at the min, Westbrook really wasn't a table setter even when he was a triple double guy, but Simmons is a somewhat better fit as he can defend in the front court by the standards of our current roster. I agree with the win/win, I'd love to see a 2 year min with a team option year 2 but I think if he lands here it'll probably be a 1 year min. I'm not sure Simmons is still a table setter but a one year tryout would be interesting considering the stakes are really low.

Here's my favorite stat that I recently found: Ben Simmons, a notoriously unwilling shooter by reputation, has the exact same fga/36 for his career as someone some of our board called a "chucker" on regular basis, Marcus Smart. It's interesting how narratives take hold.

Wow.... So I finally get someone to agree with me and of all the posters , it's you ! - waiting on a silly meme comeback don't let me down

[Hal14]

Ok, so here's where I'm at.

Tillman is probably washed. Let's do one of those dump type of trades like we did with Vonleh and Springer.

Also, CelticsPride17 is right. Our tax bill is too high for a team that isn't competing for a title this year. Either Hauser, Simons or Niang has to go. I want to keep Simons though because I think he can help us win Banner 19.

Niang and Hauser, though? That's a bit redundant. We don't need them both, as unathletic shooters who play forward. I'm fine with moving either of them. But I say, let's move Hauser because:

-He makes more $ so moving him gives us more tax relief
-He's on a longer term deal so keeping him means we're stuck with that $10mil contract for awhile. Niang though, we could sign him to an extension for dirt cheap and therefore you have a guy who does basically everything Hauser can do (with better passing, more strength, more off the dribble creation) at a much lower price point.
-Niang also doesn't have the lingering back issues that Hauser has had
-Niang is more of a proven playoff player..has been more consistent in the playoffs
-Hauser (being younger and on a longer term contract) has more trade value so we can get more value back in a trade for him than we can by moving Niang

So I say, move Hauser..whoever has the cap space to take him and is willing to give us a good draft pick, take the deal.

That leaves us with only 12 guys on standard roster. Sign Simmons and Bassey to minimum deals. 1 year deal for Bassey. 2 years (2nd year a team option) for Simmons.

Let's roll.

You sign Simons and Niang to team friendly extensions.

Get Tatum back healthy and that's a team that can compete for the 2027 title.

We probably won't be a lottery team but you still try and hit with a mid 1st round pick in next year's draft..

[celtxman]

I am really rather surprised that almost nobody is buying what I am selling. And that ben simmons is a win win situation.

If he's absolute trash, that goes to our tank position

If he ends up playing anywhere near what he used to do. What a great versatile pick up.

All at the bottom of the barrel price.

If the Celtics think his health and and attitude look good, then he's worth a try on a minimal deal

[celtxman]

Celtics are not paying a $70+ million tax bill in 2025/2026 for a team the has little to no chance of doing something this season. It's just bad business. More moves are coming, it's just a matter of when.

We're seeing what new ownership won't spend for. The question is what will they spend for when the time comes? Will they go over the 2nd apron if appropriate, that would clearly make them a great team? Or will they be more concerned with bad business?

We will find out in 2026/2027.

Yeah - it seems that way.

[celtxman]

As bad as people think Simmons is he is about 10000000 times better than the pathetic excuse for bigs Stevens plans on trotting out this season.

Don't forget to give Chisholm his flowers for the bigs

[165bows]

Ok, so here's where I'm at.

Tillman is probably washed. Let's do one of those dump type of trades like we did with Vonleh and Springer.

Also, CelticsPride17 is right. Our tax bill is too high for a team that isn't competing for a title this year. Either Hauser, Simons or Niang has to go. I want to keep Simons though because I think he can help us win Banner 19.

Niang and Hauser, though? That's a bit redundant. We don't need them both, as unathletic shooters who play forward. I'm fine with moving either of them. But I say, let's move Hauser because:

-He makes more $ so moving him gives us more tax relief
-He's on a longer term deal so keeping him means we're stuck with that $10mil contract for awhile. Niang though, we could sign him to an extension for dirt cheap and therefore you have a guy who does basically everything Hauser can do (with better passing, more strength, more off the dribble creation) at a much lower price point.
-Niang also doesn't have the lingering back issues that Hauser has had
-Niang is more of a proven playoff player..has been more consistent in the playoffs
-Hauser (being younger and on a longer term contract) has more trade value so we can get more value back in a trade for him than we can by moving Niang

So I say, move Hauser..whoever has the cap space to take him and is willing to give us a good draft pick, take the deal.

That leaves us with only 12 guys on standard roster. Sign Simmons and Bassey to minimum deals. 1 year deal for Bassey. 2 years (2nd year a team option) for Simmons.

Let's roll.

You sign Simons and Niang to team friendly extensions.

Get Tatum back healthy and that's a team that can compete for the 2027 title.

We probably won't be a lottery team but you still try and hit with a mid 1st round pick in next year's draft..

Niang is low key old though. Personally I’d be happy to keep him for two years as I think he’s a nice bench piece for 26-27 but give me Hauser all day in his late twenties over Niang in his mid-30s for 27-28.

[165bows]

Simmons I don’t expect at all to be here but how can we not be excited by the potential of a Simons-White-Brown-Niang-Simmons starting lineup.

[Bad-Thoma]

I am really rather surprised that almost nobody is buying what I am selling. And that ben simmons is a win win situation.

If he's absolute trash, that goes to our tank position

If he ends up playing anywhere near what he used to do. What a great versatile pick up.

All at the bottom of the barrel price.

I've actually been thinking about Simmons a bit since right after the playoffs, if there was one thing the team could use it's a table setter. Looking at it the options at vet min were lean, Chris Paul, Simmons, Westbrook, really nothing all that impressive. CP3 made no sense at all in a bridge year even at the min, Westbrook really wasn't a table setter even when he was a triple double guy, but Simmons is a somewhat better fit as he can defend in the front court by the standards of our current roster. I agree with the win/win, I'd love to see a 2 year min with a team option year 2 but I think if he lands here it'll probably be a 1 year min. I'm not sure Simmons is still a table setter but a one year tryout would be interesting considering the stakes are really low.

Here's my favorite stat that I recently found: Ben Simmons, a notoriously unwilling shooter by reputation, has the exact same fga/36 for his career as someone some of our board called a "chucker" on regular basis, Marcus Smart. It's interesting how narratives take hold.

Wow.... So I finally get someone to agree with me and of all the posters , it's you ! - waiting on a silly meme comeback don't let me down

I see your fine print

[dortmunder]

Ok, so here's where I'm at.

Tillman is probably washed. Let's do one of those dump type of trades like we did with Vonleh and Springer.

Also, CelticsPride17 is right. Our tax bill is too high for a team that isn't competing for a title this year. Either Hauser, Simons or Niang has to go. I want to keep Simons though because I think he can help us win Banner 19.

Niang and Hauser, though? That's a bit redundant. We don't need them both, as unathletic shooters who play forward. I'm fine with moving either of them. But I say, let's move Hauser because:

-He makes more $ so moving him gives us more tax relief
-He's on a longer term deal so keeping him means we're stuck with that $10mil contract for awhile. Niang though, we could sign him to an extension for dirt cheap and therefore you have a guy who does basically everything Hauser can do (with better passing, more strength, more off the dribble creation) at a much lower price point.
-Niang also doesn't have the lingering back issues that Hauser has had
-Niang is more of a proven playoff player..has been more consistent in the playoffs
-Hauser (being younger and on a longer term contract) has more trade value so we can get more value back in a trade for him than we can by moving Niang

So I say, move Hauser..whoever has the cap space to take him and is willing to give us a good draft pick, take the deal.

That leaves us with only 12 guys on standard roster. Sign Simmons and Bassey to minimum deals. 1 year deal for Bassey. 2 years (2nd year a team option) for Simmons.

Let's roll.

You sign Simons and Niang to team friendly extensions.

Get Tatum back healthy and that's a team that can compete for the 2027 title.

We probably won't be a lottery team but you still try and hit with a mid 1st round pick in next year's draft..

100%

[dortmunder]

White pritchard
Simons scheierman
Brown hugo
Simmons niang minott
Bassey queta garza

Trying to feel optimistic tonight.

[phincsfan]

We probably won't be a lottery team but you still try and hit with a mid 1st round pick in next year's draft..

Go back 10 drafts and look at how mid 1st rd draft picks have ended up. 24' to 14'.

Your draft room has to be absolutely locked in to find that diamond.

[fallguy]

White-Pritchard-Simons is too small.

[redslastlaugh]

I was looking at hoopshype at the 2025 2nd round picks who've signed standard contracts (Kam Jones, Rasheer Flemind, etc) and the 2025-26 salary figure for these signees is $1.28 million.

One thing that still doesn't make sense to me, with us being so strapped financially, is wouldn't the easiest way to save on the margins be to sign some draftees to an NBA contract. This goes beyond questioning, "Why didn't Brad just keep pick #32 and take Kalkbrenner or Raynaud" but like if we had just signed Amari Williams and Max Shulga ($1.27 + $1.27) to the roster spots that we signed Josh Minott and Luka Garza to wouldn't we have saved over $2 million?

Because I do some trade math on various suggested trades, and a lot of these hypothetical deals that move Hauser, Niang, Simons etc that after we get players back we're still ending up $250k - $2.5 million over the tax. And, if the math is so tight, why are we not just signing our picks but instead signing veteran FAs?

Seems like just that extra $2 million we spent on Minott and Garza is really going to come into play for getting under the tax.

[return2glory]

For the people who want Ben Simmons. Look into his eyes. By doing that, you can look in his soul. There is no hunger in him. There is nothing there. Mick from Rocky couldn't motivate him. There is a reason his career has gone down and not up.

[Fierce1]

White-Pritchard-Simons is too small.

Isiah Thomas-Joe Dumars-Vinnie Johnson