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

[djFan71]

If we do a Jrue trade, I think the Clippers rumor makes the most sense if we're going down the obvious route of breaking one long Jrue contract into a collection of expirings and small money deals.

If LAC waives Drew Eubanks unguaranteed deal, I think they have to room to do a very simple swap of:

Bogdan Bodganovic
Kris Dunn

+ one smaller contract player, either Jordan Miller, Cam Christie or Kobe Brown
for
Jrue Holiday

LAC has Kawhi for 2 more years and they just want to advance in the playoffs, make some noise before the Harden/Kawhi era runs out... and Jrue for next two years actually makes sense for them. After the next two seasons, Jrue's an expiring and James/Kawhi are gone ... so it's not that arduous a contract for them. Clippers makes the most sense for wanting Jrue, to me anyway.

3 team with Pellies works too. We get KO and Dunn, save $13.5. Pellies get Bogdan (and can even take Eubanks). Possibly they owe a 2nd to us as well?

We can flip KO into an MLE later, probably get another 2nd.

Why are we even flipping KO when he should be retiring as a Celtic after leading us to Banner 19? **** the tax savings.

We only bring him back when the Wizards are good enough to meet us in the 2nd round again. It’ll be like banner 39 at that point.

[ConstableGeneva]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

[keevsnick1]

Some of my favorite Jrue Holiday trades. These won't all be legal, they are just mean to be close enough to be workable:

1) Jrue to Sacramento for DeRozen + Filler
DeRozen makes about 7.5 million less than Holiday next year and has one fewer year on his contract. If Tatum was healthy this might not make much sense, but DeRozen is a nice floor raising player who gives you steady offense and plays 70+ games every year. That sort of offensive baseline could be useful for the C's next year. Then he's an expiring. For the Kings Holidays defense and spacing paired with LaVine or Monk as your guard rotation is a cleaner fit. His contract is the same length of Sabonis so you get a three-year run with the Holiday/LaVine/Sabonis trio.

2) Jrue to Dallas for Gafford + Washington OR Thompson OR Two of Christie/Marshall/Martin
There are a lot of ways to structure this deal thanks to the fact that Dallas has a lot of mid-level type salary. Gafford gives Boston a solid starting level center while the various wings could help fill in for Tatum next year. None of the deals save you much money, but breaking up Holidays 32 million into two or three mid-size contracts could make it feasible to keep one of those guys and dump the other for savings. For Dallas Holiday would fill in competently for Irving until he's back and be a nice fit next to him when he does return.

3) Holiday to Clippers for Bogdanovic and Derick Jones Jr OR Eubanks AND Dunn
I fear Bogdanovic might be cooked and you only save roughly 6 million this year. But breaking up a contract into two or three pieces could make it easier to move one or both for bigger savings, and Bogdanovic is an expiring contract (team option netx year). Maybe Bogy can bounce back and give you a good contract year. LAC has shown interest in Holiday in the past. You can swap out DDJ for Kris Dunn and Drew Eubanks to make it more appealing for LAC. Eubanks is an expiring and Dunn is completely non-guaranteed next year so in essence Boston turns Jrue into three expiring contracts.

4) Holiday to Detroit for Tobias Harris
Saves the Celtics 6 million in salary and Harris can fill in for Tatum for a year on an expiring deal. He was decent for Detroit last year, but Holiday has a winning pedigree, and Detroit seems to be on the "wants to win" path. Gives Detroit another ball handler to take some weight of Cade. Probably makes more sense if Boston is also moving KP to get under the 2nd apron because on its own this move probably doesn't save you enough money, but at least its 1 year for Harris vs 3 for Holiday.

5) Holiday to Orlando for KCP + Filler
KCP is coming off a pretty rough year, but he does make 10 million less than Holiday and have one year less on his deal. I'd imagine the C's need to through in draft compensation for this to happen but it does make SOME sense for Orlando if they've soured on KCP.

6) Holiday to Miami for either Rozier OR Robinson + Filler
Rozier has been very bad in Miami, but his 26 million dollar expiring saves you 6 million and cuts two years off the deal. Holiday would be a good fit with Hero in the Heat backcourt. Would Miami want to take on two extra years at almost 70 million total for that upgrade? I'd guess probably probably not but it would for sure make them better next year.

7) Numerous deals that are just a salary dump. This is a deal to Washington for Marcus Smart, to Brk into cap space, to Uta for expiring's. Deals that the team you are working with are doing because you are sending them draft picks.

[cl2117]

What about lotto protected then top 4?

I am maybe too high on the 2026 draft, but I really like it….and with Tatum out there is a chance the Celtics pick in high teens early 20s….which I think they can get a really good player there. That gives me some heartburn trading that pick.
Can I ask who are the other teams and players involved? Which team is sucking up the bulk of the Salary?

Celtics get:
Right to Swap 2030 First Round Draft Picks with the Bucks

Nets get:
Kyle Kuzma
Pat Connaughton
2031 Unprotected Milwaukee Bucks First Round Draft Pick

Hornets get:
Kristaps Porzingis

Bucks get:
Cam Johnson
Collin Sexton

Kings get:
Tidjane Salaun
33rd Overall Draft Pick
34th Overall Draft Pick

Jazz get:
Jusuf Nurkic
2026 Lottery Protected Boston Celtics First Round Draft Pick (2027 Top 4 Protected)

Are the Kings getting #33 and #34 for eating Salaun? I know he was bad but that seems like crazy good value.

[165bows]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

[ConstableGeneva]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Twitter is a buzz with rumors of Tres Murphy (and Herb Jones too) being available, and the Pelicans seems like the perfect landing spot for Jaylen Brown...

[ThePigeon]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

If they get the ring this year it will be the last with this team
They are unwatchable and a detriment to the NBA franchise (viewership is already falling)
The NBA will do something to nip this kind of basketball in the bud. It isn't entertaining or fun to watch. And it is not like we have a rivalry like with the bad boys (DET) in the 90'

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Or maybe not, they're likely blowing up the team and dumping Zion and tanking for a high pick in the coveted 2026 Draft...

[ConstableGeneva]

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

If they get the ring this year it will be the last with this team
They are unwatchable and a detriment to the NBA franchise (viewership is already falling)
The NBA will do something to nip this kind of basketball in the bud. It isn't entertaining or fun to watch. And it is not like we have a rivalry like with the bad boys (DET) in the 90'

I'm probably in the minority, but I love watching them play.

[Curmudgeon]

The "Team X is going to move aggressively to upgrade its roster" headlines are already appearing. So unless you won a championship the preceding year-- and even if you did-- why wouldn't every one of the 30 GMs in the league be doing this? Of course most will fail, and there will be one team that has Kyle Kuzma and another that has Jordan Poole, who collectively will make over $52M dollars next year.

[165bows]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

They aren’t reliant on shooting but nevertheless they have a solid cadre of career mediocre three point shooters that are now playing like elite shooters and we’ve seen plenty of evidence it’s easy to shoot well when a team is dominant but not as simple when faced with challenging competition.

My point is four years is an eternity and they will have both SGa and Jaylen Williams (if they are both still there) on super maxes and Chet on at least a regular max by then. I just think the window for that team as currently constructed is shorter than that and once the chinks in the armor show up things can change quickly as we’ve unfortunately seen around here.

[ConstableGeneva]

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

They aren’t reliant on shooting but nevertheless they have a solid cadre of career mediocre three point shooters that are now playing like elite shooters and we’ve seen plenty of evidence it’s easy to shoot well when a team is dominant but not as simple when faced with challenging competition.

My point is four years is an eternity and they will have both SGa and Jaylen Williams (if they are both still there) on super maxes and Chet on at least a regular max by then. I just think the window for that team as currently constructed is shorter than that and once the chinks in the armor show up things can change quickly as we’ve unfortunately seen around here.

Anything can happen and I also don't believe in long title contention windows (esp with the current CBA) but they have the best shot as any in having one 'cos of their collective age and the amount of assets they have.

[ConstableGeneva]

Pistons looking for a stretch big. Work your magic with the trade machine, guys. They can have Tillman for two unprotected firsts.

[yeleven11]

Pistons looking for a stretch big. Work your magic with the trade machine, guys. They can have Tillman for two unprotected firsts.

Fontecchio and Stewart are both guys Celtics have been interested in before, FWIW.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Every West team that dreams to contend should be lining up for Giannis with their bestest offer. Otherwise, no one can challenge OKC next couple of years. Even Spurs need a substantial upgrade despite already having Wemby.

Idk they’ve got a two year window imo. This year and next year before they have their own salary issues.

Plus their shooting doesn’t seem super sustainable to me once you start to lose your edge those shots start getting a lot harder to hit as we’ve seen here.

Edit:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/yearly

That's the thing. They don't rely on shooting to win. When you have elite defense like they have, you always have a shot. Something I wish the Celtics get back to starting next season (even without Tatum).

I think they'll be able to keep SGA and one of Chet/JDub long-term. They can cycle through role players in the league using their picks. Team is relatively young. If the supporting cast are cool with their role and the pay they're getting, they can just keep this going for another 3-4 years. Plus they're very well-coached. System built to plug and play as long as players are dedicated on defensive side of the court.

Celtics were 4th in defensive rating in the regular season and 2nd in the playoffs despite their best rim protector missing most of the year. As always with this core the issue wasn't the defense.

[celtxman]

Pistons looking for a stretch big. Work your magic with the trade machine, guys. They can have Tillman for two unprotected firsts.

I think Detroit may be a good trade partner to trade Jrue.

[Fierce1]

Celtics need more speed.

That's why Jrue is not a good fit anymore.

We need fast guards and players who love to run.

There's just no fast break points if Sam and PP are in the game.

Not saying we get these guys, but the Thompson twins, Jalen Green, and Jaden Ivey are some examples that Celtics need.

[Fierce1]

Not being a good fastbreak team is leaving money on the table.

It's one way to get easy buckets.

Brad should factor that in when making moves for next season.

[chrisab123]

The Giannis to the Celtics stuff doesn't make much sense to me, for a number of reasons:

1) They'd have to get under the 2nd apron to make the money work in a Brown-Giannis trade, which would mean flat dumping either KP or Jrue for little or nothing back. That will not being easy, it may costs assets just to dump one of them. Even if they do that then....
2) Why would the Bucks want to do a Giannis-Brown trade? If they are trading Giannis its to rebuild, not to get back a lesser player who's not their franchise legend and only two years younger and paid the same. And if your response to this is "well, they could flip Brown" then sure, but they could also just skip that middle part and trade Giannis for assets. Speaking of which....
3) A Brown-Giannis swap would take more assets from the C's, but their first-round picks with Giannis would suck. The Bucks own so few of their own firsts that any Giannis trade really would have to get high quality firsts back in return, that's why SAS, OKC or HOU make so much sense. They all have OTHER TEAM's picks to trade. Boston has nothing like that to offer. But...
4) Even if they did would Giannis really want to burn one of his last prime years (age 31 next year) waiting for Tatum's Achilles to heal? This idea made more sense before Tatum went down for the year. If Giannis is forcing his way out its hard to believe its so he can essentially take a gap year.

TLDR: The financials, the lack of the right sort of assets and both teams' situation moving forward make this trade seem very, very, unlikely.

Well…the Bucks don’t own their picks for a while…so tanking probably won’t be in the cards.

But that's just another reason why they wouldn't be interested in a package primarily built around a player. If Giannis isn't good enough to get them out of the first round, then a team built around Jaylen instead won't be any better. The fact that they don't have their own picks should heavily incentive them to pursue trades where they'd get good high upside picks back in return, which is something Boston can't offer.

To put it another way: Lets say they trade Jaylen for Giannis....then what? They have no picks to trade, no cap space to use, they are stuck just the same place they are now just with a worse player as your cornerstone (and a guy who isn't beloved by your Franchise like Giannis). On the other hand if you trade Giannis for a draft pick heavy haul and expiring contracts then you can both get high upside picks to build around and expiring contracts you can use to generate more picks down the line.

The only way Giannis to the Celtics happen is if Giannis were to push for it, that might lower his value enough that the Bucks have to deal with Boston. But Giannis doesn't strike me as that sort of guy, and Tatum being out next year is a complication.

The Bucks picks are the property of New Orleans. They need to stay competitive otherwise they get nothing out of this. Brown keeps them semi competitive between the 6-10 seeds. Depending on other moves they make it could be higher. So it doesn’t benefit the Bucks to tank at all. Upside picks are fine but you can achieve that through not tanking