Free Agent, Trade & Extensions Thread, 2024-25 (i.e. How do we make the Champs even better?)

[Larry_Russell]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

[Celts17Pride]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

[Larry_Russell]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

I hope so. I really like Lonnie.

He would be a perfect fit. Downhill player

[ConstableGeneva]

OLD FRIEND JAE CROWDER SIGNS WITH THE SACRAMENTO KINGS! THIS IS NOW HIS 7TH TEAM IN LAST 7 SEASONS. CROWDERKEG CAN'T KEEP UP WHICH TEAM TO ROOT FOR!

[phincsfan]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

I hope so. I really like Lonnie.

He would be a perfect fit. Downhill player

You can never have enough but I really don't think we need Lonnie at this point. What would a contract for Lonnie look like? Multi year? If that's the case, I'd rather stick with what's working and build up through the draft to have better control of contracts and development. I think with Lonnie is, what you see is what you get.

Next years 2nd apron will be around 208mil.

If they repeat I'd run it back, but try to move XMan for a pick.

Perfect draft scenario is if a target keeps slipping and Stevens can get him in the 2nd. Move their 1st for a couple of 2nds.

Luke may have to be a casualty but AL IMO is a no brainer if they're going for the dynasty label.

JT/JB/Jrue/White/KP/AL/PP/Sam/Neems/Walsh/Rico as the main rotation. See the development of Watson/Drew and if they have a target who drops to the 2nd and pick up another 2nd by moving the 1st than I think the pipeline can be solid for rotational players.

[celtxman]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

I've written something similar before the season about Walker. We've watched over 20% of the season and fortunately the Celtics have been able to win without much of anything from Springer and Walsh

[Fierce1]

IMO, We can still use a backup shooting guard.


Jrue/Pritchard/Springer
White/???/Baylor
Brown/Hauser/Walsh
Tatum/Horford/Tillman
KP/Queta/Kornet

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

I've written something similar before the season about Walker. We've watched over 20% of the season and fortunately the Celtics have been able to win without much of anything from Springer and Walsh

A guy like Walker would be a factor if one of the Jays miss time with an injury.

[celtxman]

I personally think the Celtics have a gentleman's agreement to sign Lonnie Walker IV at the trade deadline. I have absolutely no proof of that but that's what I think is in the works. It wouldn't surprise me. Walker IV doing the Celtics a solid on the salary cap and making a little money overseas in the meantime. Time will tell, we will see.

I've written something similar before the season about Walker. We've watched over 20% of the season and fortunately the Celtics have been able to win without much of anything from Springer and Walsh

A guy like Walker would be a factor if one of the Jays miss time with an injury.

I trust management enough on this to let this play out and see what happens. With that said I don't currently understand why Walker isn't here.

[Celts17Pride]

I've written something similar before the season about Walker. We've watched over 20% of the season and fortunately the Celtics have been able to win without much of anything from Springer and Walsh

A guy like Walker would be a factor if one of the Jays miss time with an injury.

I trust management enough on this to let this play out and see what happens. With that said I don't currently understand why Walker isn't here.

Easy, the Luxury Tax.

[Jammer]

Walker makes so much sense given the lack of reserve strength at Wing, and a signing before March 1 to be eligible before the playoffs would provide benefits at multiple positions.

There doesn't logically appear to be any trades that would make sense given the roster construction.

The Celtics basically have 11 men they trust in rotation roles in meaningful games.

They have 4 reliable centers in Zinger, Horford, Kornet and Queta. If all are available, then Horford can provide backup PF minutes.

Tatum is the starting PF, with Tillman as the only Banger on the team and Scheierman obviously the hoped for replacement after the 2026 season when Tillman is a Free Agent again.

Brown and Hauser have the SF roles, with no clear reserve behind them so Walker could fill duty here if need be down the line.

The three PGs basically consume ALL the GUARD minutes in close games (White, Holiday and Pritch). That accounts for 12 players, with 11 being rotation worthy.

Jordan Walsh is only $200k guaranteed NEXT year. He is a superior defender at SG with his length and reach, and a decent rebounder and finisher around the rim for a guard. But, Walsh is a pathetic ball handler and has not shown the ability to make shots or get open or hit 3's efficiently. He's basically got until 10 days into NEXT Season to prove his value, but he's not dependable and Lonnie Walker would be the 4th reliable guard THIS YEAR behind White, Holiday and Pritch whether it be as a PG or SG.

Jaden Springer's problem is he is a 6' 1" SG who is not that efficient who makes $3.9M - which is higher than the minimum salary he will end up signing for in 2026. No team will trade for him because Bird rights will be irrelevant, no one will make Springer a qualifying offer for $5,987,361 to maintain matching rights because Springer would instantly sign it. Instead, Springer will sign for MINIMUM next season with some team, but probably not the Celtics.

So, Walker would be the 4th PG, 3rd SG and 3rd SF if he were to sign before approximately March 1 (or whenever the deadline is to be eligible for the playoffs).

[Dogen]

Walker makes so much sense given the lack of reserve strength at Wing, and a signing before March 1 to be eligible before the playoffs would provide benefits at multiple positions.

There doesn't logically appear to be any trades that would make sense given the roster construction.

The Celtics basically have 11 men they trust in rotation rolls in meaningful games.

They have 4 reliable centers in Zinger, Horford, Kornet and Queta. If all are available, then Horford can provide backup PF minutes.

Tatum is the starting PF, with Tillman as the only Banger on the team and Scheierman obviously the hoped for replacement after the 2026 season when Tillman is a Free Agent again.

Brown and Hauser have the SF roles, with no clear reserve behind them so Walker could fill duty here if need be down the line.

The three PGs basically consume ALL the GUARD minutes in close games (White, Holiday and Pritch). That accounts for 12 players, with 11 being rotation worthy.

Jordan Walsh is only $200k guaranteed NEXT year. He is a superior defender at SG with his length and reach, and a decent rebounder and finisher around the rim for a guard. But, Walsh is a pathetic ball handler and has not shown the ability to make shots or get open or hit 3's efficiently. He's basically got until 10 days into NEXT Season to prove his value, but he's not dependable and Lonnie Walker would be the 4th reliable guard THIS YEAR behind White, Holiday and Pritch whether it be as a PG or SG.

Jaden Springer's problem is he is a 6' 1" SG who is not that efficient who makes $3.9M - which is higher than the minimum salary he will end up signing for in 2026. No team will trade for him because Bird rights will be irrelevant, no one will make Springer a qualifying offer $5,987,361 to maintain matching rights because Springer would instantly sign it. Instead, Springer will sign for MINIMUM next season with some team, but probably not the Celtics.

So, Walker would be the 4th PG, 3rd SG and 3rd SF if he were to sign before approximately March 1 (or whenever the deadline is to be eligible for the playoffs).

Great post Jammer.

One point of clarification (from my self-imposed role as Minister of Springerstan): Jaden is usually listed as 6'4". Like Marcus, he's strong and plays bigger, can defend SG/SF types. That hands on defensive instinct is probably the only clear advantage he has over Walker. Dude is chippy, too, which I kinda like. The other night against LA he got in for a few garbage minutes and immediately starting locking arms with one of the clippers. Lonnie is silky smooth, tho, and can go heat check mode. He'd certainly be ahead of Springer in any back up role.

So I don't think there is any problem with or for Jaden Springer. His contract isn't really terrible, he just is on a team where he's not needed now. The crime, if any, is not that he is taking a roster spot, but that he is taking up precious cap space without having a contribution on the floor. That's on Brad though.

If the plan is to sign Walker before March 1, paying the tax then but saving on the first 5 months of the season, then that's quite savvy by Brad. Walker gets his minutes in Europe now and still comes back to Boston before the playoffs with a camp under his belt.

With other players waiting in the wings and the 2025 draft coming, I can see the writing is on the wall for Jaden. But Brad traded for him and likes him. Unless a mutually beneficial trade comes up, I think Brad keeps Springer, seeing how things develop over the year and into the summer. For Jaden's part, he has a ring with the Celtics, but as a young player looking to establish himself, I would not be surprised if he is actually more interested in being moved this year than the team is.

A young up and coming team like the Spurs, for example, might be making some moves to consolidate and need some payers included in multi-team trade. I could see the Celtics helping themselves, Springer, and the other team, but not sure how Brad pulls it off. He always seems to find the cracks of light in the trade/contract wall though.

[celtxman]

A guy like Walker would be a factor if one of the Jays miss time with an injury.

I trust management enough on this to let this play out and see what happens. With that said I don't currently understand why Walker isn't here.

Easy, the Luxury Tax.

I think the new CBA and the possible sale of the team makes everything difficult. They are balancing a terrible, punitive Tax with trying to win a championship during an ownership change. This has opened a rift between Wyc Grousbeck and his father. I believe it is more than just a typical salary decision.

[Fierce1]

Even if the Cs don't make a move, they're not missing anything.

[ThePigeon]

For next year (if we have a place and - take a look at Jaylen Hoard from Maccabi Tel-Aviv
A SF-PF that is a lockdown switchable defender that can shoot the 3 and bang a little inside. He is easily the best player there
There was a time during DA's tenure where we got some nice players from Europe. This guy can fill in minutes at PF/SF right away and will probably be cheap

[Fierce1]

Brad "Hoarding" nice players.

[Parliament10]

[Celts17Pride]

The February 6th NBA trade deadline is going to be a complete bust around the NBA this year. The 1st and 2nd aprons, luxury tax penalties and the trade restrictions placed on teams are going to completely freeze up all player movement in the NBA. Kudos to Brad Stevens, Mike Zarren and the rest of the Celtics front office to anticipate this early on in the process.

Guarantee the NBA and the Player's Association makes changes to the rules in the off-season.

[jfs1000d]

The February 6th NBA trade deadline is going to be a complete bust around the NBA this year. The 1st and 2nd aprons, luxury tax penalties and the trade restrictions placed on teams are going to completely freeze up all player movement in the NBA. Kudos to Brad Stevens, Mike Zarren and the rest of the Celtics front office to anticipate this early on in the process.

Guarantee the NBA and the Player's Association makes changes to the rules in the off-season.

We love deadline. Players would rather stay where they are for the most part.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

The February 6th NBA trade deadline is going to be a complete bust around the NBA this year. The 1st and 2nd aprons, luxury tax penalties and the trade restrictions placed on teams are going to completely freeze up all player movement in the NBA. Kudos to Brad Stevens, Mike Zarren and the rest of the Celtics front office to anticipate this early on in the process.

Guarantee the NBA and the Player's Association makes changes to the rules in the off-season.

We love deadline. Players would rather stay where they are for the most part.

Oh no I don't have to uproot my entire family and pull out my kids from their school in the middle of the year on 5 minutes notice. Quick somebody fix this.

[cl2117]

Thinking about a Springer salary dump trade and one of the things that sticks out to me is our lack of mid-tier 2nds that could be attached to him to facilitate it. C's apparently gauged trade interest and found out that teams wanted to be paid to take him on. They've not made "showcasing" him a priority so far (he's basically played as much as JD Davison), so I'm guessing that's not changed. I'm fine with them offloading a 2nd to get back a non-guaranteed contract or just a cheaper body to ease the lux tax bill, but we've not got anything middling that seems like it'd do the trick.

We've got two good 2nds:
- '25 2nd from Washington should be somewhere 31-35.
- '26 2nd (best of PDX/NOP/MIN/NYK) likely from PDX in the 30's since they'll want to tank w/ their 1st lotto protected to Chicago

And after that we've just got a fake '27 2nd from Portland and our own 2030/2031 2nds which carry little to no value.

If we trade Springer for nothing and just sign Lonnie, another vet minimum guy or one of our two-ways, I think we save like $7m, which is probably worth considerably more than a 2nd rounder, but still would pain me to give up a pick potentially in the 30's to just get rid of him. If we weren't a 2nd apron team we could buy back a 2nd for cash and split the difference, but that's not possible now.

All that leads me to believe that, if we do trade him, we'll attach the 2026 2nd from PDX and then Brad will likely trade out of, hopefully, the 30th pick to snag few more 2nds like he did in that hilariously Belichick-ian 2023 draft to restock the cupboard.