Free Agent, Trade, Buyout, Extension & Conversion Thread, 2025 con't

[165bows]

I think this falls prey to aggregation rules, but anyways:

Suns get: Holiday, PP, Hauser, Claxton
Send out: Durant and G. Allen

Celtics get Durant and ~25M in savings
Send out: KP, PP, Holiday, Hauser

Brooklyn gets: KP, G. Allen maybe picks or meh young players
Sends out: Claxton

Boston brings back Horford and Kornet on vet min and a bunch of rookie second round/udfa guys.

Start White/Brown/Jt/KD/Horford once Tatum is back.

Bench of Kornet, Queta, Davison, Peterson, Walsh, Scheierman etc etc.

That offense would cook but it would be a bit like this year of keeping everyone healthy and kind of old and a little soft on athleticism.

I could talk myself into this working and also talk myself into the idea it would be Phoenix east.

On paper they would have a great starting lineup at the end of the year with an elite offense. Durant at 26/5/4 on elite efficiency. But then he’s 37 next year and also a big part of me thinks just keep PP he’s prob better anyways.

Silver lining would be they could stealth tank and get a mid-teens pick and try to contend for the title all at the same time just like those fraud old teams out west.

[celticgreenie]

I think this falls prey to aggregation rules, but anyways:

Suns get: Holiday, PP, Hauser, Claxton
Send out: Durant and G. Allen

Celtics get Durant and ~25M in savings
Send out: KP, PP, Holiday, Hauser

Brooklyn gets: KP, G. Allen maybe picks or meh young players
Sends out: Claxton

Boston brings back Horford and Kornet on vet min and a bunch of rookie second round/udfa guys.

Start White/Brown/Jt/KD/Horford once Tatum is back.

Bench of Kornet, Queta, Davison, Peterson, Walsh, Scheierman etc etc.

That offense would cook but it would be a bit like this year of keeping everyone healthy and kind of old and a little soft on athleticism.

I could talk myself into this working and also talk myself into the idea it would be Phoenix east.

On paper they would have a great starting lineup at the end of the year with an elite offense. Durant at 26/5/4 on elite efficiency. But then he’s 37 next year and also a big part of me thinks just keep PP he’s prob better anyways.

Silver lining would be they could stealth tank and get a mid-teens pick and try to contend for the title all at the same time just like those fraud old teams out west.

Brad was interested in Durant before but Nets wanted a lot more than just JB. Brad still could have interest. Durant's not being a high volume three point shooter isn't as much as problem in the playoffs when teams give up the mid-range and that's his bread and butter.

[Fierce1]

Suns will not just give away KD.

They will want DWhite.

Trade White for KD then shed more salary by also moving Jrue and KP.

Get Gafford, if possible.

Keep Luke and PP.

And if possible, hold on to Sam, for now.

We get a JT, JB, and KD Big 3.

Or JT, DWhite, and KD if the Cs use JB to get KD.

Getting KD will give the Cs a 2nd Championship window that wil be short, maybe 2 years.

The 3rd and final window for the JT era will be around 2028 or 2029 to the early 2030s.

[djFan71]

Yep, It was Brad who had to spend a pick to get off Kemba's bad contract which Ainge signed.

Are we all forgetting the Enes Freedom/Bane debacle?

In Ainge's defense, the Enes/Bane pick was a little different imo. Firstly, we traded the pick on draft night, where we knew it was #30, it wasn't like a pick 2 or 5 years out where it could land much higher or even be unprotected.

And when we did the 3-team deal, we got two 2nd round picks back, and one became the #35 from PDX in 2023 which went to Washington in the Porzingis trade. And I don't know what exactly was the second 2nd round pick we got or where it went. It might have went out in Gordon Hayward sign-n-trade or Muscala acquisition or something.

But even leaving aside the other 2nd round pick. Trading #30 on draft night to dump Enes and getting #35 (plus another 2nd) back is not what we're facing in this present pick-sweetening world. It's only tough because Bane became a 20 point scorer, max-contract level of player not that the value at the time of the deal was bad. Or had a big downside risk far out in time.

Oh, I was using “debacle” jokingly since everyone always brings up Bane as a huge miss. And being (lovingly?) pedantic about Ainge never doing a salary dump.

[165bows]

I think if they keep a first rounder Coward is the guy they roll the dice on. They love long wings (think eg Delano Banton) and this guy seems a tad weak in the play making dept but he can actually shoot.

Also I’ve come back around on Alex Condon. Wasn’t sure I loved him with a high pick since sometimes these title winners get a little too much helium or whatever but as a consensus second rounder I’m in on that.

https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-consensus-board/

And obviously Sion James in green is a destined match, plus a couple of udfa bigs are Dylan Cardwell and Viktor Lakhin that I’ve mentioned.

Edit: I’m an idiot wrong thread

[FlatearthZorro]

I saw hoopshype got us selecting Yaxel Lendeborg. Dude is a PF. Wouldn't mind it. 7-4 wingspan and a good rebounder. Something which we have lacked. Wouldn't mind a traditional PG or center either if we keep the pick.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I think if they keep a first rounder Coward is the guy they roll the dice on. They love long wings (think eg Delano Banton) and this guy seems a tad weak in the play making dept but he can actually shoot.

Also I’ve come back around on Alex Condon. Wasn’t sure I loved him with a high pick since sometimes these title winners get a little too much helium or whatever but as a consensus second rounder I’m in on that.

https://www.rookiescale.com/2025-consensus-board/

And obviously Sion James in green is a destined match, plus a couple of udfa bigs are Dylan Cardwell and Viktor Lakhin that I’ve mentioned.

Coward will be long gone by the time the Celtics pick.

[Fierce1]

A number of Celtic fans say some of the Celtic players are soft.

Now we want to draft a Coward?

So the Celtics will be soft and a Coward?

[chrisab123]

I still believe that trading Jrue is the top priority to be traded. Not because he deserves to be gone, but because it is the contract that they just can't realistically hold and stay away from the 2nd apron next season.
Jrue to Detroit for the expiring contracts of Hardaway, Schroeder, and another small expiring by July 1. Not sure with aggregating salaries if they can add in Hauser because this trade takes them below the 2nd apron. There are conflicting stories which team would add assets.
If this happens you now are not pressured on KP. He can be a real asset. But not before July 1 with his breathing issue. So unless the Celtics don't believe his market won't change, I would wait to get value in return. I understand why the Celtics wouldn't trust him in a 3rd playoff season. But they also have to acquire a legitimate center if they trade him

Listen to what people have been saying the last week. Not on Real GM but people who know or at least somewhat plugged in. The Jrue contract was that way because they knew they were going over the 2nd apron and couldn’t combine contracts. So something tells me they’d use him and probably a couple other contracts to get another, more expensive player in here after trading KP to get under.

What seems not feasible to us right now might become reality by draft night. You also have to take the team at face value that Tatum might not be done for next year either. I know we’re all doctors here but something tells me when the team is saying all the right things about the surgery and the recovery expectations we might put some stock into it. Which means all this talk about tanking might be a little premature.

[165bows]

I still believe that trading Jrue is the top priority to be traded. Not because he deserves to be gone, but because it is the contract that they just can't realistically hold and stay away from the 2nd apron next season.
Jrue to Detroit for the expiring contracts of Hardaway, Schroeder, and another small expiring by July 1. Not sure with aggregating salaries if they can add in Hauser because this trade takes them below the 2nd apron. There are conflicting stories which team would add assets.
If this happens you now are not pressured on KP. He can be a real asset. But not before July 1 with his breathing issue. So unless the Celtics don't believe his market won't change, I would wait to get value in return. I understand why the Celtics wouldn't trust him in a 3rd playoff season. But they also have to acquire a legitimate center if they trade him

Listen to what people have been saying the last week. Not on Real GM but people who know or at least somewhat plugged in. The Jrue contract was that way because they knew they were going over the 2nd apron and couldn’t combine contracts. So something tells me they’d use him and probably a couple other contracts to get another, more expensive player in here after trading KP to get under.

What seems not feasible to us right now might become reality by draft night. You also have to take the team at face value that Tatum might not be done for next year either. I know we’re all doctors here but something tells me when the team is saying all the right things about the surgery and the recovery expectations we might put some stock into it. Which means all this talk about tanking might be a little premature.

Right pretty clear they are moving Porzingis and Hauser.

[Celts17Pride]

Celtics need a point guard that pushes the pace like the Pacers, doesn't have to be a superstar. Celtics are better when they play fast. Going to be even more important next year. Draft or acquire a point guard that plays with pace and implement that style all of next year. That will get the most out of Brown, White, Scheierman, Pritchard, Kornet, Queta etc.

Next year needs to be the death of "Walking the ball up the court".

[tfmiii]

Celtics need a point guard that pushes the pace like the Pacers, doesn't have to be a superstar. Celtics are better when they play fast. Going to be even more important next year. Draft or acquire a point guard that plays with pace and implement that style all of next year. That will get the most out of Brown, White, Scheierman, Pritchard, Kornet, Queta etc.

Next year needs to be the death of "Walking the ball up the court".

I couldn't agree more!

But they already have PP who pushes pace. That was also one of the qualities I loved in DW's game. But when he has pushed he's often alone in frontcourt, so unless he can get all the way to the cup...

And when we get to the 4th PP and DW are reduced to spot up shooters. It is really a scheme/game plan issue, not personnel.

I'm tempted to say it's a Js issue, since you can sometimes see Joe imploring them to speed up. Why he allows them to essentially ignore him is a topic for another thread. And of the two I think JT is the worst in this respect - he's had a couple unforced 8-second violations IIRC.

I'm interested in seeing our pace next season.

[darrendaye]

Celtics need a point guard that pushes the pace like the Pacers, doesn't have to be a superstar. Celtics are better when they play fast. Going to be even more important next year. Draft or acquire a point guard that plays with pace and implement that style all of next year. That will get the most out of Brown, White, Scheierman, Pritchard, Kornet, Queta etc.

Next year needs to be the death of "Walking the ball up the court".

JD Davison has entered the chat.

White has no issue playing with pace IMO.

[playa-hater]

Celtics need a point guard that pushes the pace like the Pacers, doesn't have to be a superstar. Celtics are better when they play fast. Going to be even more important next year. Draft or acquire a point guard that plays with pace and implement that style all of next year. That will get the most out of Brown, White, Scheierman, Pritchard, Kornet, Queta etc.

Next year needs to be the death of "Walking the ball up the court".

I couldn't agree more!

But they already have PP who pushes pace. That was also one of the qualities I loved in DW's game. But when he has pushed he's often alone in frontcourt, so unless he can get all the way to the cup...

And when we get to the 4th PP and DW are reduced to spot up shooters. It is really a scheme/game plan issue, not personnel.

I'm tempted to say it's a Js issue, since you can sometimes see Joe imploring them to speed up. Why he allows them to essentially ignore him is a topic for another thread. And of the two I think JT is the worst in this respect - he's had a couple unforced 8-second violations IIRC.

I'm interested in seeing our pace next season.

Strongly agree and Yes, Tatum has faults in this as well.

[Celts17Pride]

Establish the style of play next year and Tatum would fit right in seamlessly the following season and it would be even better for JT because he would get easy basket opportunities and wide open shots.

Celtics have done this before getting Rondo in a draft night trade. Rondo played 78 games his rookie season and was a starter on a championship team in year 2. Maybe Davison is that guy, only the Celtics know what they have with him.

And please don't rush Tatum back and keep him out the full season. Best for his future. KD missed the whole season when people were clamoring to bring him back for the playoffs. Do what's best for JT.

[tfmiii]

Establish the style of play next year and Tatum would fit right in seamlessly the following season and it would be even better for JT because he would get easy basket opportunities and wide open shots.

And please don't rush Tatum back and keep him out the full season. Best for his future. KD missed the whole season when people were clamoring to bring him back for the playoffs. Do what's best for JT.

I fear reintegrating JT wouldn't be seamless, but I agree with your plan to revamp the style of play next season with the intent to carry it over after JT's return.

Also agree on being cautious on the timing of comeback, we've got hopefully another decade of JT's career to protect! Is one playoff worth that?

[JR Hawks]

JT and JB want to play half court iso ball. Always have and likely always will. At some point, management will see that approach can't take them any further and will break them up.

[NotAKnicksFan]

Imo go get ja morant, i feel his value might not be as high as his true value, he would add a new dimension to this offense . He can be had and it would be an under the radar brad stevens move to re invigorate this team and extending championship window 6 years +

Jrue + hauser and picks for ja morant

Porzingis + Pritchard and picks for kevin durant , i dont know how long kd is signed fir but when his contract id up we can retain him for alot less to mitigate the financials

Sign big al to vet min.

Ja Morant / Jd davidson
White / brown / shierman
Tatum / walsh
Durant /
Al horford / an athletic big man

Wishful thinking in this scenario , white may have to be shipped as well .

[NotAKnicksFan]

JT should use BP157 - TB500 stack

He will be healed within 10 months

[165bows]

I’d rather he not prolong it but that’s just me