Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[165bows]

C Queta
F Hauser
F Brown
G Simons
G White

6th man: Pritchard

Bench: Niang, Simmons

That could be like the primary 8 man rotation

Then, Garza gets mins as 3rd big as a 9th/10th man

The other guy getting mins as a 9th/10th man would come from the battle between Hugo/Baylor/Minott/Walsh

That's the main 10 guys getting the most mins for us.

Amari will get spot mins as 4th big. Niang play some small ball 5 as another big if needed.

Everyone else will battle for whatever mins are left.

The 2-way guys will play in Maine a bit..Hugo might play in Maine a little too..

*This is based on us dumping Tillman via trade, signing Simmons and leaving the 15th spot open..

Training camp/preseason will clarify things as far as lineups, mins, depth chart..

He's not coming here but the only reason he would is he could walk right into a starting spot. Simmons wouldn't come here to come off the bench behind Neemias Queta and 4 guards and wings.

[Riverwalk2021]

Our big man rotation is bball terrorism. Brad can’t seriously expect Brown and White to play with these corpses. Tillman is a complete scrub. I was really high on Queta but he lacks bball IQ to complement his physical tools.

Orlando has way too many bigs and needs more scoring/shooting if they want to pass themselves off as easy contenders so Simmons, Niang and Hauser all make sense. We need length, defense and rebounding. WCJ and a guy like Isaac make a lot of sense.

[31to6]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

[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 our 2nd round draftees to an NBA contract.

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.

He either disliked both Kalkbrenner and Raynaud, or he has his eye on something or both. Lots of other teams passed on these guys, so there's that. But you can't have enough good big men, so this has a chance to look bad on what would have been a small cost.

We drafted a good big man - Amari Williams, who was arguably a better prospect than Kalkbrenner and Raynaud.

2nd round picks are all basically just scratch tickets. We traded 1 scratch ticket for 4 scratch tickets.

My question is more just about the money. Moving from #32 for 46/57 and two future seconds, that move is perfectly fine value if that's what Brad wants to do. But if we are going to be very close to the tax line and getting under the tax gives us significant benefits, signing our two 2nd round picks to rookie minimum contracts would have saved $2 million over signing Minott/Garzaz to the veteran minimums.

That extra $2 million (depending on if Niang/Hauser/Simons get traded) could be the difference between ducking the tax or being just over the line. And Garza/Minott don't seem like they are talented enough to be worth going over the tax for.

Brad has only signed one second rnd pick to a standard roster contract (Jordan Walsh) but in the past Ainge frequently signed 2nd round picks to cheap deals to fill out the roster. You look at the 2009 Celtics and we had Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Big Baby Davis, and Bill Walker who were our second round picks in the previous 3 drafts and all four players were on the 13 man roster that season on bargain, rookie minimum contracts.

I'm surprised that Brad/Zarren didn't just sign Amari and Shulga to roster deals for the relative savings versus Minott/Garza.

[darrendaye]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

In any event, I do hold onto the idea Horford would rejoin the team in 26-27 for likely his final season.

Wildly perhaps, but I also secretly want them to reassemble at center getting Al, Rob Williams AND Porzingis all back next year. This is assuming Rob and Al's next contract will be in the range C's could sign. Porzingis would be sign and trade with Atlanta, would have to be 15-20mm per, and would be using the contract of either Caldwell-Pope, Kuzma, or other match capable contract they get in trade for Simons.

[darrendaye]

He either disliked both Kalkbrenner and Raynaud, or he has his eye on something or both. Lots of other teams passed on these guys, so there's that. But you can't have enough good big men, so this has a chance to look bad on what would have been a small cost.

We drafted a good big man - Amari Williams, who was arguably a better prospect than Kalkbrenner and Raynaud.

2nd round picks are all basically just scratch tickets. We traded 1 scratch ticket for 4 scratch tickets.

My question is more just about the money. Moving from #32 for 46/57 and two future seconds, that move is perfectly fine value if that's what Brad wants to do. But if we are going to be very close to the tax line and getting under the tax gives us significant benefits, signing our two 2nd round picks to rookie minimum contracts would have saved $2 million over signing Minott/Garzaz to the veteran minimums.

That extra $2 million (depending on if Niang/Hauser/Simons get traded) could be the difference between ducking the tax or being just over the line. And Garza/Minott don't seem like they are talented enough to be worth going over the tax for.

Brad has only signed one second rnd pick to a standard roster contract (Jordan Walsh) but in the past Ainge frequently signed 2nd round picks to cheap deals to fill out the roster. You look at the 2009 Celtics and we had Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Big Baby Davis, and Bill Walker who were our second round picks in the previous 3 drafts and all four players were on the 13 man roster that season on bargain, rookie minimum contracts.

I'm surprised that Brad/Zarren didn't just sign Amari and Shulga to roster deals for the relative savings versus Minott/Garza.

The benefit of bringing those guys in is they're both in now or never circumstances and the C's control their contracts into next year. Yes, both represent less cap efficiency as you're stating and Garza will run into next year even if he flops. But if they find a role that works for one or both and they put together encouraging seasons, they add trade ballast in a year the team is going to want to have as much as possible.

I like Minott's fit, especially if their actions match their words and the offensive pace of play will tick up and cutting will play a larger part in the scheme. When Brissett was here, they couldn't find a real attacking role for him on the offense other than the offensive glass, where he put great focus. That role I see a prototype they've employed. Then it's a matter of his defensive discipline. He's a STOCK guy, so there will be highlights/big plays. While I would let him make all the mistakes he wants there THIS season, Joe still probably will not.

Garza is just going to have to break out as a microwave scorer to likely look like a genius move by Stevens. Defensively maybe we get to an Enes Kanter level defender. But stretch 5s are so in short supply.

[Parliament10]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

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[sam_I_am]

Ben Simmons in a vacuum makes a lot of sense. Length, ball handling, court vision, defense…however like with KP he is better in theory than in actual practice. Injuries, mentally soft, any other intangible you can think of….whatever it is those guys just aren’t as good as you think they should be.

Ask yourself why they can never stick to any team

In Philly and Brooklyn he was getting paid like a max player. It’s obvious he doesn’t have the same speed he had in prime Philly years. The Clippers signed him to 1 year deal after Nets bought him out so he is free to go anywhere now. I envision him in the Luke Kornet role (not has a number 3 like we hoped KP would be) but he would bring elite athleticism and versatility on defense that Luke lacked. His PG skills next to Brown and Tatum and White could reinvigorate his career as a role player the way Andre Iguadala once did. If he can’t pull that off then we easily move on if he is signed to a minimum.

[cloverleaf]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

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Read on Twitter

Still in the boot. I think we can relax about his rushing back to contribute for the lost, next year.

[Celts17Pride]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

In the NBA it isn't over until it's over. Anything can still happen.

[31to6]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

Does this help?:

Read on Twitter

Still in the boot. I think we can relax about his rushing back to contribute for the lost, next year.

If he weren't in a boot I'd be REALLY concerned.
But Brad says they are not talking timetables, and Jayson's dad was like '9 months' -- no one knows, at all, yet -- but what might matter most is what Jayson hopes to accomplish in terms of timetable.

I'm expecting him out the whole season, including playoffs.
I'm expecting him to take some time to not suck when he returns.
I'm expecting we'll all be nervous about his legs staying healthy for several years.

But -- I don't know -- I can imagine Jayson and Al have talked, fairly extensively, and privately, about what they each hope to do going forward.

[Fierce1]

Knowing JT's tendencies over the years, if doctors clear him, he will play.

[robdog_5]

Talks of Vooch getting released by Bulls. Would he want to come here and get a ton of mins? He would be easily our starting Center. We would need to move some money at some point.

[fallguy]

I know prevailing wisdom is that Al to GS is done and hung up on Kuminga resolution.

But what if Al is waiting for Jayson to start limping around and feeling good, and/or the Celtics to pursue whatever options they can to improve the team, before resigning with us for two years?

That's my hopeful thought of the day. Take it FWIW

Maybe Al just waits until 2026 to sign with anyone.

[fallguy]

It's incomprehensible to me we'd want to put high intensity, high leverage miles on Tatum next spring given we'll be a team that can't win the title.

I'd be fine with him playing a dozen games after the ASB to get his feet wet but no interest in any fantasies that he is the best player on a playoff team.

[jfs1000d]

It's incomprehensible to me we'd want to put high intensity, high leverage miles on Tatum next spring given we'll be a team that can't win the title.

I'd be fine with him playing a dozen games after the ASB to get his feet wet but no interest in any fantasies that he is the best player on a playoff team.

He isn't playing next year unless he is 100%.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fallguy]

It's incomprehensible to me we'd want to put high intensity, high leverage miles on Tatum next spring given we'll be a team that can't win the title.

I'd be fine with him playing a dozen games after the ASB to get his feet wet but no interest in any fantasies that he is the best player on a playoff team.

He isn't playing next year unless he is 100%.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very likely the truth. And very likely the best course of action.

I don't really know what 100% means. I don't think he'll be 100% in 26-27 either.

[playa-hater]

Talks of Vooch getting released by Bulls. Would he want to come here and get a ton of mins? He would be easily our starting Center. We would need to move some money at some point.

If we definitely have Tatum, then I would be all for it but without Tatum. This would just stick us right in the middle of mediocre. And that to me would be a bad investment. Some people may not like the deal of tanking, but as I have said before the last time we had high lottery picks, we changed our franchise for the next ten years plus..

I really truly want. A mid to high lottery level player, so we can build with real talent going forward.

And just the reminder, our last lottery players were Jayson tatum and Jaylen Brown.

[Hal14]

I really truly want. A mid to high lottery level player, so we can build with real talent going forward.

And just the reminder, our last lottery players were Jayson tatum and Jaylen Brown.

We also drafted Nesmith and Langford in the lottery.

[tbceltics34]

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