Free Agent, (Trade), Buyout, Extension & Conversion Thread, 2025

[Celts17Pride]

Celtics are on pace for 60+ wins and are a Top 3-5 contender (depending on who you ask) to win the championship and go back to back. The Celtics really don't have to do anything at the trade deadline so I wouldn't expect much, if anything.

[Hal14]

Jaden Springer for Daniel Thies who says no.

I don't know if we really need Theis. We're pretty well covered at the 5. Not positive he would get mins over any of the 5 bigs we already have.

Think if we add someone, it would be more of a 2/3 wing or perhaps a bigger wing 3/4.

New Orleans could be a good landing spot for Springer though. They're a bad team..they're tanking for a high draft pick..so he could get some good playing time there. Kind of like how last year we sent Banton to Portland and Stevens to Memphis..both bad tanking teams where they could get more playing time.

Plus, a few folks have mentioned Dyson Daniels as a guy who Springer could maybe develop into a player like that if he was given the opportunity. Well, the Pelicans traded Daniels so now they have a void on their roster for a guy like that so Springer could perhaos fill that void..

Last trade deadline they stated the position they needed depth at was someone who could play both the 4 and the 5, sort of the combo big role. So they landed Tillman but I'm not sure he's really in he rotation anymore so stands to reason that with the same group, that's still the most open role on the team (as the only 4/5 type center in the rotation currently is Al).

Theis has had a .660TS% since December and is familiar with the team.

I don't recall reading that anywhere that we specifically were looking for a 4/5 type of big.

What I recall is that there were rumors circulating that we were exploring a trade for a wing..perhaps someone like Saddiq Bey, Fontecchio, Kispert, Lonnie Walker, Otto Porter Jr, Jaesean Tate, Naji Marshall, Cedi Osman, Konchar were all names being thrown around.

And then later, right before the deadline it seemed like the rumors heated up that a "big" was the higher priority. Some names being thrown around were Drummond, Tillman, Olynyk and Chris Boucher. Also Isaiah Stewart and Nick Richards.

We ended up getting a big (Tillman) and a wing (Springer) who's kind of a wing but also kind of a guard.

If Springer gets traded (like most assume he will), then the need for a wing increases, since he's the wing we traded for last year.

The fact that Tillman isn't in the rotation doesn't mean we need a big. It just means that other guys (Kornet and Queta) are playing better than him. If we keep all of our bigs *and* add another one, I don't see that happening..you don't need 6 bigs on 1 team.

[playa-hater]

Celtics are on pace for 60+ wins and are a Top 3-5 contender (depending on who you ask) to win the championship and go back to back. The Celtics really don't have to do anything at the trade deadline so I wouldn't expect much, if anything.

Brad and I disagree. We are both working the phones very hard right now. Being near the Top < Over the Top

[165bows]

An alternative to Sam is more important than adding another big.

Nah Walsh is fine as a third string forward. The alternative to Sam Hauser is just more Sam Hauser.

Cs don't have that slasher type player.

Sam and PP are having a hard time finishing on fast breaks.

Theis becoming the 6th big man will just be a case of diminishing returns.

He wouldn’t be the 6th big he would be the 2nd mobile big man behind Horford who’s a million years old.

[djFan71]

I don't know if we really need Theis. We're pretty well covered at the 5. Not positive he would get mins over any of the 5 bigs we already have.

Think if we add someone, it would be more of a 2/3 wing or perhaps a bigger wing 3/4.

New Orleans could be a good landing spot for Springer though. They're a bad team..they're tanking for a high draft pick..so he could get some good playing time there. Kind of like how last year we sent Banton to Portland and Stevens to Memphis..both bad tanking teams where they could get more playing time.

Plus, a few folks have mentioned Dyson Daniels as a guy who Springer could maybe develop into a player like that if he was given the opportunity. Well, the Pelicans traded Daniels so now they have a void on their roster for a guy like that so Springer could perhaos fill that void..

Last trade deadline they stated the position they needed depth at was someone who could play both the 4 and the 5, sort of the combo big role. So they landed Tillman but I'm not sure he's really in he rotation anymore so stands to reason that with the same group, that's still the most open role on the team (as the only 4/5 type center in the rotation currently is Al).

Theis has had a .660TS% since December and is familiar with the team.

I don't recall reading that anywhere that we specifically were looking for a 4/5 type of big.

What I recall is that there were rumors circulating that we were exploring a trade for a wing..perhaps someone like Saddiq Bey, Fontecchio, Kispert, Lonnie Walker, Otto Porter Jr, Jaesean Tate, Naji Marshall, Cedi Osman, Konchar were all names being thrown around.

And then later, right before the deadline it seemed like the rumors heated up that a "big" was the higher priority. Some names being thrown around were Drummond, Tillman, Olynyk and Chris Boucher. Also Isaiah Stewart and Nick Richards.

We ended up getting a big (Tillman) and a wing (Springer) who's kind of a wing but also kind of a guard.

If Springer gets traded (like most assume he will), then the need for a wing increases, since he's the wing we traded for last year.

The fact that Tillman isn't in the rotation doesn't mean we need a big. It just means that other guys (Kornet and Queta) are playing better than him.

I agree with bows that we need a Tillman type for certain scenarios in the playoffs. I think the issue is this year's Tillman isn't it so far. Whether he regressed due to the surgery, or Joe doesn't want to go that route, IDK. But, I'm also not sure Theis is that either. He could give us a slightly different look than Luke/Neemy, but I don't wanna see him isolated on anyone on the perimeter like we did Tillman last year.

That's the need for me - a small ball 5 besides Al that you can live with on switches. If X isn't it this year, we really don't have anyone. Theis might be the best you can get though. If it's straight up for Springer, you do it in a heartbeat. Or if you can add a future BOS 2nd (ie, crap) pick, then fine. Much more, (ie other team's 2nds), I wouldn't.

It'd be nice to get Theis a 3rd stint and a ring.

[165bows]

I don't know if we really need Theis. We're pretty well covered at the 5. Not positive he would get mins over any of the 5 bigs we already have.

Think if we add someone, it would be more of a 2/3 wing or perhaps a bigger wing 3/4.

New Orleans could be a good landing spot for Springer though. They're a bad team..they're tanking for a high draft pick..so he could get some good playing time there. Kind of like how last year we sent Banton to Portland and Stevens to Memphis..both bad tanking teams where they could get more playing time.

Plus, a few folks have mentioned Dyson Daniels as a guy who Springer could maybe develop into a player like that if he was given the opportunity. Well, the Pelicans traded Daniels so now they have a void on their roster for a guy like that so Springer could perhaos fill that void..

Last trade deadline they stated the position they needed depth at was someone who could play both the 4 and the 5, sort of the combo big role. So they landed Tillman but I'm not sure he's really in he rotation anymore so stands to reason that with the same group, that's still the most open role on the team (as the only 4/5 type center in the rotation currently is Al).

Theis has had a .660TS% since December and is familiar with the team.

I don't recall reading that anywhere that we specifically were looking for a 4/5 type of big.

What I recall is that there were rumors circulating that we were exploring a trade for a wing..perhaps someone like Saddiq Bey, Fontecchio, Kispert, Lonnie Walker, Otto Porter Jr, Jaesean Tate, Naji Marshall, Cedi Osman, Konchar were all names being thrown around.

And then later, right before the deadline it seemed like the rumors heated up that a "big" was the higher priority. Some names being thrown around were Drummond, Tillman, Olynyk and Chris Boucher. Also Isaiah Stewart and Nick Richards.

We ended up getting a big (Tillman) and a wing (Springer) who's kind of a wing but also kind of a guard.

If Springer gets traded (like most assume he will), then the need for a wing increases, since he's the wing we traded for last year.

The fact that Tillman isn't in the rotation doesn't mean we need a big. It just means that other guys (Kornet and Queta) are playing better than him.

"He can guard bigger guys, but he can also switch late in the clock," Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg in an exclusive interview Friday.

"We didn't necessarily feel like we needed to add scoring to this group," Stevens said. "We feel like we've got a lot of scoring and a lot of shooting. What we need is some guys who can help us navigate some matchups."

https://sports.yahoo.com/brad-stevens-explains-xavier-tillman-185828435.html

Kornet and Queta are nice backups but they are pretty redundant (in a necessary way for the RS) in terms of role. Just like they were last year.

I remember there were rumors they looked at wing depth but speaks for itself what actually happened. Now this team has a more established Hauser and deeper depth in Walsh, meanwhile Tillman’s not really performed and fallen out of the rotation. Dude just hasn’t been good this year.

[Dogen]

..perhaps someone like Saddiq Bey, Fontecchio, Kispert, Lonnie Walker, Otto Porter Jr, Jaesean Tate, Naji Marshall, Cedi Osman, Konchar were all names being thrown around.

Good times! There was, like, several of those massive 100 page trade threads that had these guys coursing through it for a while.

None of these guys have been earth-shattering this year, but some are solid bench guys. Looking back, I think I had them ranked about like this. Walker wasn't really that high on my list, in retrospect, as there was more emphasis on size:

Osman
Marshall
Kispert
Konchar
Bey
Tate
Fontecchio
Walker
Porter Jr

[ConstableGeneva]

Michael Pina proposed this on one of the Celtics podcasts...



Celtics get a veteran who can help now while Hawks get a cost-controlled potential rotation player for years to come. I'd like this better if ATL can attach a future 2nd. Mathews is shooting 41.8% on 5 3PAs/game. I go back to... "Joe, are you gonna play him?" or is he gonna pick his nose on the bench until garbage time?

[Fierce1]

Baylor for Garrison is a good deal for Boston on 2 fronts.

1. Garrison can help the Celtics now.

2. It lets the Celtics get out of Baylor's rookie contract.
And since Garrison is an expiring deal, Cs will get some cap relief if they decide Garrison is just a rental.

The downside of the deal is if Baylor improves and becomes a good NBA player then the Cs might regret doing the trade.

[brackdan70]

Baylor for Garrison is a good deal for Boston on 2 fronts.

1. Garrison can help the Celtics now.

2. It lets the Celtics get out of Baylor's rookie contract.
And since Garrison is an expiring deal, Cs will get some cap relief if they decide Garrison is just a rental.

The downside of the deal is if Baylor improves and becomes a good NBA player then the Cs might regret doing the trade.

Maybe this is nice for depth…but cap relief? It’s not like Baylor is huge money, and we need that roster spot filled by someone.

The other downside is maybe this eats into Walsh’s minutes.
I just want more Walsh. I don’t care about a few reg season games. I think the dude can be an important piece and we need to give him that experience. I could be wrong…I’ve like a lot of young Celtics that didn’t make it and now I don’t even know their names.

[tfribs45]

Celtics are on pace for 60+ wins and are a Top 3-5 contender (depending on who you ask) to win the championship and go back to back. The Celtics really don't have to do anything at the trade deadline so I wouldn't expect much, if anything.

Brad and I disagree. We are both working the phones very hard right now. Being near the Top < Over the Top

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

[Fierce1]

Baylor for Garrison is a good deal for Boston on 2 fronts.

1. Garrison can help the Celtics now.

2. It lets the Celtics get out of Baylor's rookie contract.
And since Garrison is an expiring deal, Cs will get some cap relief if they decide Garrison is just a rental.

The downside of the deal is if Baylor improves and becomes a good NBA player then the Cs might regret doing the trade.

Maybe this is nice for depth…but cap relief? It’s not like Baylor is huge money, and we need that roster spot filled by someone.

The other downside is maybe this eats into Walsh’s minutes.
I just want more Walsh. I don’t care about a few reg season games. I think the dude can be an important piece and we need to give him that experience. I could be wrong…I’ve like a lot of young Celtics that didn’t make it and now I don’t even know their names.

Walsh is not ready this season.

If it's a rental then Walsh gets his minutes next season.

Every dollar counts when you're an apron team, that includes minimum contracts.

I also am a believer in Walsh, but his development takes a back seat to a potential repeat.

Not saying Garrison is a must have, but he could be useful in the playoffs.

[Hal14]

..perhaps someone like Saddiq Bey, Fontecchio, Kispert, Lonnie Walker, Otto Porter Jr, Jaesean Tate, Naji Marshall, Cedi Osman, Konchar were all names being thrown around.

Good times! There was, like, several of those massive 100 page trade threads that had these guys coursing through it for a while.

None of these guys have been earth-shattering this year, but some are solid bench guys. Looking back, I think I had them ranked about like this. Walker wasn't really that high on my list, in retrospect, as there was more emphasis on size:

Osman
Marshall
Kispert
Konchar
Bey
Tate
Fontecchio
Walker
Porter Jr

lol yup, good ole Brad surprised us all, trading for Springer after we used up all those pages discussing all of those other wings.

And Tillman was mentioned here (and in other places) less than other bigs like Richards, Olynyk, Boucher and Drummond.

#stealthBrad

[Hal14]

Celtics are on pace for 60+ wins and are a Top 3-5 contender (depending on who you ask) to win the championship and go back to back. The Celtics really don't have to do anything at the trade deadline so I wouldn't expect much, if anything.

Brad and I disagree. We are both working the phones very hard right now. Being near the Top < Over the Top

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

I don't really recall the bulls making deadline trades during their run of 6 titles. But that was a different era I suppose..

Even the Lakers 3peat, and the Spurs 5 championships. I feel like they usually made all their moves during the offseason. Warriors didn't do anything at the deadline in 2022 (only really in season move they made was signing GP2 out of the g league in like december) and even during their first 3 title season, I don't recall them doing much in terms of trade deadline moves.

The nuggets in 2023, their only deadline move was swapping Bones Hyland for Reggie Jackson, only to have Jackson on the bench the entire postseason.

The Lakers didn't make any mid-season trades when they won the 2020 title..

[Celts17Pride]

Celtics are on pace for 60+ wins and are a Top 3-5 contender (depending on who you ask) to win the championship and go back to back. The Celtics really don't have to do anything at the trade deadline so I wouldn't expect much, if anything.

Brad and I disagree. We are both working the phones very hard right now. Being near the Top < Over the Top

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

Don't get me wrong, I just posted what I think is going to happen. I believe the Celtics need to add a significant bench piece if they are going to win the championship. The Celtics 3 main bench players are Pritchard, Hauser and Horford. Teams have now began to focus on Pritchard. Pritchard is fining it much harder to get open since teams are focusing on him. Hauser plain and simple has had a down year and Big Al is finally showing some signs of aging. Jrue Holiday and Porzingis so far have had down years in my opinion.

I really believe Brad Stevens needs to add a boost to the bench before the trade deadline. If not then Brad Stevens has to hope that all the players having down years can regain their peak form or the Celtics will be leaving the playoffs early in my opinion.

[165bows]

Brad and I disagree. We are both working the phones very hard right now. Being near the Top < Over the Top

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

Don't get me wrong, I just posted what I think is going to happen. I believe the Celtics need to add a significant bench piece if they are going to win the championship. The Celtics 3 main bench players are Pritchard, Hauser and Horford. Teams have now began to focus on Pritchard. Pritchard is fining it much harder to get open since teams are focusing on him. Hauser plain and simple has had a down year and Big Al is finally showing some signs of aging. Jrue Holiday and Porzingis so far have had down years in my opinion.

I really believe Brad Stevens needs to add a boost to the bench before the trade deadline. If not then Brad Stevens has to hope that all the players having down years can regain their peak form or the Celtics will be leaving the playoffs early.

I'm always happy with a new shiny bench guy but other than maybe Horford being older, I'd say their bench is better than last year. PP obviously has taken a leap, and Hauser, despite a rough start to the year, wasn't nearly as proven a playoff guy as he is now. Plus he's started to come around quite a bit, at least in terms of shooting. Main thing is to get their healthy so they actually have their bench guys on the bench, not in the starting lineup.

So give me a new better bench guy but it's just really thin out there. Personally I doubt Garrison Matthews does anything better than Hauser or PP. Maybe the SA Champagnie is a better defender than what they have but he's prob not being dealt. Just land Theis (whos' shot well in a limited sample lately) to fill in whatever they wanted Tillman for, who's been a no show this year.

[djFan71]

I'll go Springer out for something like a future 2nd round swap. Then O'Shea back as our moves.

Immediate vibe bump, but little/no risk of locker room disruption. Happy with low minutes, but Joe did play him and he had an impact in a few playoff games. Walsh minutes suffer a bit, which I hate, but it's a short them thing and doesn't seem like Joe is going to trust him much anyways. Or maybe competition with O'Shea makes Jordan better.

[Fierce1]

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

Don't get me wrong, I just posted what I think is going to happen. I believe the Celtics need to add a significant bench piece if they are going to win the championship. The Celtics 3 main bench players are Pritchard, Hauser and Horford. Teams have now began to focus on Pritchard. Pritchard is fining it much harder to get open since teams are focusing on him. Hauser plain and simple has had a down year and Big Al is finally showing some signs of aging. Jrue Holiday and Porzingis so far have had down years in my opinion.

I really believe Brad Stevens needs to add a boost to the bench before the trade deadline. If not then Brad Stevens has to hope that all the players having down years can regain their peak form or the Celtics will be leaving the playoffs early.

I'm always happy with a new shiny bench guy but other than maybe Horford being older, I'd say their bench is better than last year. PP obviously has taken a leap, and Hauser, despite a rough start to the year, wasn't nearly as proven a playoff guy as he is now. Plus he's started to come around quite a bit, at least in terms of shooting. Main thing is to get their healthy so they actually have their bench guys on the bench, not in the starting lineup.

So give me a new better bench guy but it's just really thin out there. Personally I doubt Garrison Matthews does anything better than Hauser or PP. Maybe the SA Champagnie is a better defender than what they have but he's prob not being dealt. Just land Theis (whos' shot well in a limited sample lately) to fill in whatever they wanted Tillman for, who's been a no show this year.

I don't think the Cs are looking to fill whatever Tillman brings to the table.

Luke and Q have been adequate.

Theis coming back for a 3rd time is not likely.

[Celts17Pride]

agreed, not sure what possible additions we can make financially but you can't get caught sleeping at the wheel..... Look back at all the dynasty runs and moves were made every year to improve. Staying put and hoping for another Title might be fools Gold.

Don't get me wrong, I just posted what I think is going to happen. I believe the Celtics need to add a significant bench piece if they are going to win the championship. The Celtics 3 main bench players are Pritchard, Hauser and Horford. Teams have now began to focus on Pritchard. Pritchard is fining it much harder to get open since teams are focusing on him. Hauser plain and simple has had a down year and Big Al is finally showing some signs of aging. Jrue Holiday and Porzingis so far have had down years in my opinion.

I really believe Brad Stevens needs to add a boost to the bench before the trade deadline. If not then Brad Stevens has to hope that all the players having down years can regain their peak form or the Celtics will be leaving the playoffs early.

I'm always happy with a new shiny bench guy but other than maybe Horford being older, I'd say their bench is better than last year. PP obviously has taken a leap, and Hauser, despite a rough start to the year, wasn't nearly as proven a playoff guy as he is now. Plus he's started to come around quite a bit, at least in terms of shooting. Main thing is to get their healthy so they actually have their bench guys on the bench, not in the starting lineup.

So give me a new better bench guy but it's just really thin out there. Personally I doubt Garrison Matthews does anything better than Hauser or PP. Maybe the SA Champagnie is a better defender than what they have but he's prob not being dealt. Just land Theis (whos' shot well in a limited sample lately) to fill in whatever they wanted Tillman for, who's been a no show this year.

Teams have figured Pritchard out. Pritchard is having a much harder time finding space. Hauser averages 0.93 non three point shots per game and has taken a grand total of 2 free throws the whole year. Hauser is the very definition of a one trick pony and that's fine because he does it well but it makes it very easy to guard. In my opinion OKC exposed the Celtics bench. Big Al, who I love as a player is showing signs of decline. Players consistently attack and take Big Al off the the dribble now.

PP, Hauser and Big Al all they do now is shoot three pointers. Hauser 86% of his shots, Pritchard 76% of his shots and Bi Al 73% of his shots are three pointers. That's 77% of those three shots are three pointers. I think good teams are figuring this out and I believe that OKC exposed the Celtics bench limitations. I think the Celtics need something more and different.

Just my opinion.

[165bows]

Don't get me wrong, I just posted what I think is going to happen. I believe the Celtics need to add a significant bench piece if they are going to win the championship. The Celtics 3 main bench players are Pritchard, Hauser and Horford. Teams have now began to focus on Pritchard. Pritchard is fining it much harder to get open since teams are focusing on him. Hauser plain and simple has had a down year and Big Al is finally showing some signs of aging. Jrue Holiday and Porzingis so far have had down years in my opinion.

I really believe Brad Stevens needs to add a boost to the bench before the trade deadline. If not then Brad Stevens has to hope that all the players having down years can regain their peak form or the Celtics will be leaving the playoffs early.

I'm always happy with a new shiny bench guy but other than maybe Horford being older, I'd say their bench is better than last year. PP obviously has taken a leap, and Hauser, despite a rough start to the year, wasn't nearly as proven a playoff guy as he is now. Plus he's started to come around quite a bit, at least in terms of shooting. Main thing is to get their healthy so they actually have their bench guys on the bench, not in the starting lineup.

So give me a new better bench guy but it's just really thin out there. Personally I doubt Garrison Matthews does anything better than Hauser or PP. Maybe the SA Champagnie is a better defender than what they have but he's prob not being dealt. Just land Theis (whos' shot well in a limited sample lately) to fill in whatever they wanted Tillman for, who's been a no show this year.

I don't think the Cs are looking to fill whatever Tillman brings to the table.

Luke and Q have been adequate.

Theis coming back for a 3rd time is not likely.

Yeah they are totally adequate but they aren’t versatile that’s the whole point. Also why we saw Tillman get off the bench in the finals where those two really didn’t.

It’s about adding a different type of player which they did by adding Tillman. But if he isn’t cutting it then that bench role of another mobile big is wide open.