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

[djFan71]

I'm glad you brought this up.

What players are we bringing back at half the cost of the players were sending out that will keep us as competitive as we were prior to the trade?

They're cutting salary and by way, cutting wins. That's how it works.

Just commit to the tank. You'll thank me later.

Sure, we'll lose more. But not sub 40, lol.
There are plenty of posts with ideas. But people skip those to argue about trading Brown or not, so, shrug.

You can end up with a set of 2-3 guys like WCJ, Terance Mann, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, Rui, etc. Bring Kornet back. Al if he wants to. Something like this is doable and ducking the 2nd apron:

Pritchard, White, Brown, WCJ, Kornet
Scheierman, Mann, Marshall, Hauser, Queta
Walsh, Tillman, 28, JD

That team wins 45-50 games in the East easily.

I don't know, eye of the beholder and all, but that roster looks more like a 38ish win team. I'm okay with being crappy for a year if it means getting out of cap hell. I think being a play-in team and this being a bridge year is a likely scenario.

Cannot wait for this off-season to play out. I do expect Brad to set us up for success in a couple of years, but that next year won't be pretty. Uglier than some on here are expecting. As always, we shall see.

Such a weird off-season. Seems like everything is on the table, from drastic changes, up to and including trading Brown and getting under the tax entirely, to changing as little as possible while still dipping below the second apron. Much depends on what kind of offers Brad is looking at. It's gonna be wild.

Other than 38, agreed. We can quibble on the number, but the Chicago Bulls won 39 games this year in an eastern conference that had healthy Tatum and Giannis w/ at least some semblance of a team around him. And made the playin.

I go back and forth on ducking the 2nd vs the full tax and am prepared for either. I just really would be surprised if we don't get at least some good building blocks back - ie, not just a straight $ dump. And I'd be blown away if Brown, Tatum or White is moved.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Depending on what Brad does with the roster. I really hope Baylor gets a legit shot at meaningful rotation minutes. I really like the kid and want to see what he can do with regular minutes. Maybe he flames out, but maybe he hits. I like him way better than Walsh.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Sure, we'll lose more. But not sub 40, lol.
There are plenty of posts with ideas. But people skip those to argue about trading Brown or not, so, shrug.

You can end up with a set of 2-3 guys like WCJ, Terance Mann, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, Rui, etc. Bring Kornet back. Al if he wants to. Something like this is doable and ducking the 2nd apron:

Pritchard, White, Brown, WCJ, Kornet
Scheierman, Mann, Marshall, Hauser, Queta
Walsh, Tillman, 28, JD

That team wins 45-50 games in the East easily.

I don't know, eye of the beholder and all, but that roster looks more like a 38ish win team. I'm okay with being crappy for a year if it means getting out of cap hell. I think being a play-in team and this being a bridge year is a likely scenario.

Cannot wait for this off-season to play out. I do expect Brad to set us up for success in a couple of years, but that next year won't be pretty. Uglier than some on here are expecting. As always, we shall see.

Such a weird off-season. Seems like everything is on the table, from drastic changes, up to and including trading Brown and getting under the tax entirely, to changing as little as possible while still dipping below the second apron. Much depends on what kind of offers Brad is looking at. It's gonna be wild.

Other than 38, agreed. We can quibble on the number, but the Chicago Bulls won 39 games this year in an eastern conference that had healthy Tatum and Giannis w/ at least some semblance of a team around him. And made the playin.

I go back and forth on ducking the 2nd vs the full tax and am prepared for either. I just really would be surprised if we don't get at least some good building blocks back - ie, not just a straight $ dump. And I'd be blown away if Brown, Tatum or White is moved.

Yeah. I'm right there with you. Just quibbling about a couple of wins.

[Fierce1]

The key here is what Jrue can get us.

If reports are true that there are multiple teams interested in Jrue, a guy like Cam Johnson is really gettable

KP doesn't have to be traded immediately.

A lineup of:

C - KP
PF - Cam Johnson
SF - JB
SG - White
PG - PP

That lineup will win 45 games easy.

[playa-hater]

Depending on what Brad does with the roster. I really hope Baylor gets a legit shot at meaningful rotation minutes. I really like the kid and want to see what he can do with regular minutes. Maybe he flames out, but maybe he hits. I like him way better than Walsh.

If Baylor doesn't get a shot this year. I would definitely lose my mind.

[Fierce1]

A bench of Sam, Luke, Queta, and Baylor is good enough for the regular season.

Brad only needs to make the final changes at the trade deadline.

But this all changes if Brad and the Cs make a big trade, like getting Giannis or KD.

One thing's for sure, even without JT, there will be no tanking.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Depending on what Brad does with the roster. I really hope Baylor gets a legit shot at meaningful rotation minutes. I really like the kid and want to see what he can do with regular minutes. Maybe he flames out, but maybe he hits. I like him way better than Walsh.

If Baylor doesn't get a shot this year. I would definitely lose my mind.

He's got such a great feel for the game. You know, I could easily see him and Joe butting heads, with Joe constantly trying to reign him in and denying him minutes. Total speculation, though. Baylor seems sort of head strong, and, Joe is Joe. Probably best for Baylor to self check in that situation. Yes, I made all that **** up in my head. Must be the off-season.

[165bows]

I'm glad you brought this up.

What players are we bringing back at half the cost of the players were sending out that will keep us as competitive as we were prior to the trade?

They're cutting salary and by way, cutting wins. That's how it works.

Just commit to the tank. You'll thank me later.

Hard not to see it as an appealing option, or at least an option with appeal. Injuries, financial obstacles, draft potential, potential lack of tank teams, it's kind of hard not to see the opportunity sitting there for them.

I don't think they embrace it too much right away but might as the season goes on if things break that way.

Big issue there is Horford, and what happens with him.

It's appealing, but harder to bounce back from for 26-27.

Horford is big, but bigger is Brown. I don't see Brad trading him or White, or purposely getting bad guys back to tank. So, the team is going to be good whether we want it to be or not, imo. Rather than embrace the tank, I'm embracing the reset. Even though the tank does look sexy rolling down the street.

We may go even as far as fully ducking the tax which will indeed be a worse team, but still probably makes at least the play-in. If you're going to tank, you gotta do a Brown to ATL or SAS type move. I've even proposed some cuz I'm a trade machine addict, but I just don't see it realistically happening. And I don't think I want it to. I'd rather the pieces be there for Tatum when he's back - possibly 26 playoffs even, but definitely for 26-27.

Browns got a torn meniscus, it’s not clear yet how much he’s even going to play. The team without Tatum has historically been a net negative outside of the 24 super team so after whatever cost cutting it’s not going to be awful but it’s not going to be that good either.

[Fierce1]

Hard not to see it as an appealing option, or at least an option with appeal. Injuries, financial obstacles, draft potential, potential lack of tank teams, it's kind of hard not to see the opportunity sitting there for them.

I don't think they embrace it too much right away but might as the season goes on if things break that way.

Big issue there is Horford, and what happens with him.

It's appealing, but harder to bounce back from for 26-27.

Horford is big, but bigger is Brown. I don't see Brad trading him or White, or purposely getting bad guys back to tank. So, the team is going to be good whether we want it to be or not, imo. Rather than embrace the tank, I'm embracing the reset. Even though the tank does look sexy rolling down the street.

We may go even as far as fully ducking the tax which will indeed be a worse team, but still probably makes at least the play-in. If you're going to tank, you gotta do a Brown to ATL or SAS type move. I've even proposed some cuz I'm a trade machine addict, but I just don't see it realistically happening. And I don't think I want it to. I'd rather the pieces be there for Tatum when he's back - possibly 26 playoffs even, but definitely for 26-27.

Browns got a torn meniscus, it’s not clear yet how much he’s even going to play. The team without Tatum has historically been a net negative outside of the 24 super team so after whatever cost cutting it’s not going to be awful but it’s not going to be that good either.

But if Mazzulla-Ball is the real deal, the Cs without JT will exceed expectations.

Just like Brad did more with less in 2015 and 2016.

[djFan71]

Hard not to see it as an appealing option, or at least an option with appeal. Injuries, financial obstacles, draft potential, potential lack of tank teams, it's kind of hard not to see the opportunity sitting there for them.

I don't think they embrace it too much right away but might as the season goes on if things break that way.

Big issue there is Horford, and what happens with him.

It's appealing, but harder to bounce back from for 26-27.

Horford is big, but bigger is Brown. I don't see Brad trading him or White, or purposely getting bad guys back to tank. So, the team is going to be good whether we want it to be or not, imo. Rather than embrace the tank, I'm embracing the reset. Even though the tank does look sexy rolling down the street.

We may go even as far as fully ducking the tax which will indeed be a worse team, but still probably makes at least the play-in. If you're going to tank, you gotta do a Brown to ATL or SAS type move. I've even proposed some cuz I'm a trade machine addict, but I just don't see it realistically happening. And I don't think I want it to. I'd rather the pieces be there for Tatum when he's back - possibly 26 playoffs even, but definitely for 26-27.

Browns got a torn meniscus, it’s not clear yet how much he’s even going to play. The team without Tatum has historically been a net negative outside of the 24 super team so after whatever cost cutting it’s not going to be awful but it’s not going to be that good either.

The meniscus is definitely a wild card, I forgot about that.

The net negative will be interesting to see how it goes next year. We have a pretty good record without Tatum over the last few years - which obviously includes Jrue/KP. But the net negative number when Tatum sits involves bench guys, and usually not just one. So, I think the lineups will be a little different. Pritchard, White, healthy Brown, most likely Kornet, plus whoever, should make our starting unit above average. If Horford comes back, it's really pretty good. The bench could be rough, but you hope Baylor & Queta step up, and then whoever we get back from trades/draft can as well.

I think we'll be in that 5-9 range in the east unless Brown misses significant time.

[Celts17Pride]

Hard not to see it as an appealing option, or at least an option with appeal. Injuries, financial obstacles, draft potential, potential lack of tank teams, it's kind of hard not to see the opportunity sitting there for them.

I don't think they embrace it too much right away but might as the season goes on if things break that way.

Big issue there is Horford, and what happens with him.

It's appealing, but harder to bounce back from for 26-27.

Horford is big, but bigger is Brown. I don't see Brad trading him or White, or purposely getting bad guys back to tank. So, the team is going to be good whether we want it to be or not, imo. Rather than embrace the tank, I'm embracing the reset. Even though the tank does look sexy rolling down the street.

We may go even as far as fully ducking the tax which will indeed be a worse team, but still probably makes at least the play-in. If you're going to tank, you gotta do a Brown to ATL or SAS type move. I've even proposed some cuz I'm a trade machine addict, but I just don't see it realistically happening. And I don't think I want it to. I'd rather the pieces be there for Tatum when he's back - possibly 26 playoffs even, but definitely for 26-27.

Browns got a torn meniscus, it’s not clear yet how much he’s even going to play. The team without Tatum has historically been a net negative outside of the 24 super team so after whatever cost cutting it’s not going to be awful but it’s not going to be that good either.

Celtics were 10-3 in the games Tatum didn't play last year. Celtics are easily a 45 win team maybe even a 50 wins next year unless they sell players off and get back nothing.

[djFan71]

Depending on what Brad does with the roster. I really hope Baylor gets a legit shot at meaningful rotation minutes. I really like the kid and want to see what he can do with regular minutes. Maybe he flames out, but maybe he hits. I like him way better than Walsh.

If Baylor doesn't get a shot this year. I would definitely lose my mind.

Queta too. I think KP is gone, Kornet is back. Al, even if he returns, is our PF, so I think Queta is our backup C. I want to see how that goes. It's why I don't actually keep Gafford in most of my trade scenarios, and send him off for other positions/picks/savings. I think Luke, Queta, rookie big (PF or C) is good enough to roll with next year.

Then sign KP to the full MLE next summer again.

[djFan71]

The key here is what Jrue can get us.

If reports are true that there are multiple teams interested in Jrue, a guy like Cam Johnson is really gettable

KP doesn't have to be traded immediately.

A lineup of:

C - KP
PF - Cam Johnson
SF - JB
SG - White
PG - PP

That lineup will win 45 games easy.

I'm torn on Cam. First, whether he's gettable. Second, whether I want to. He's 29 (march bday) and his last 3 seasons games played: 42, 58, 57. So not super durable. Hauser is a better shooter / defender. Less of a creator, but half the price. If we can get him cheap, sure. But I don't think I wanna send out draft assets on top of Jrue to get him. And I think we'd need to. But, I'm definitely on the fence, I could talk myself into it real quick if it happens.

[Larry_Russell]

Sure, we'll lose more. But not sub 40, lol.
There are plenty of posts with ideas. But people skip those to argue about trading Brown or not, so, shrug.

You can end up with a set of 2-3 guys like WCJ, Terance Mann, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, Rui, etc. Bring Kornet back. Al if he wants to. Something like this is doable and ducking the 2nd apron:

Pritchard, White, Brown, WCJ, Kornet
Scheierman, Mann, Marshall, Hauser, Queta
Walsh, Tillman, 28, JD

That team wins 45-50 games in the East easily.

Sure. Get naji marshall amd gafford and rui and matbe you can still win more than 40.

But there is also a reason gafford and naji are backups and rui would be traded twice.

The goal actually isn't actually to win 40+ games or whatever, I think it's just the byproduct.

Imo, the goal is to reload with younger, cheaper quality guys that can fit financially on a roster with Tatum, Brown and White and draft/develop around them as well. All those guys are good, young and fairly cheap. They don't have to be high level starters. Gafford is a top 20ish center right now. Naji and Rui have more upside still and the type of guys you gotta gamble on in our position.

I agree 100%

I am also in the camp that gambling on someone like Harper is even a better gamble.

Some completely disagree though and think that dumping KP or Jrue for basically nothing in return and run it back it the top option

[Celts17Pride]

Sure. Get naji marshall amd gafford and rui and matbe you can still win more than 40.

But there is also a reason gafford and naji are backups and rui would be traded twice.

The goal actually isn't actually to win 40+ games or whatever, I think it's just the byproduct.

Imo, the goal is to reload with younger, cheaper quality guys that can fit financially on a roster with Tatum, Brown and White and draft/develop around them as well. All those guys are good, young and fairly cheap. They don't have to be high level starters. Gafford is a top 20ish center right now. Naji and Rui have more upside still and the type of guys you gotta gamble on in our position.

I agree 100%

I am also in the camp that gambling on someone like Harper is even a better gamble.

Some completely disagree though and think that dumping KP or Jrue for basically nothing in return and run it back it the top option

Who says dumping Holiday and Porzingis for nothing? Celtics should be able to trade KP and Holiday, bring back some good players and reduce salary.

[djFan71]

Sure. Get naji marshall amd gafford and rui and matbe you can still win more than 40.

But there is also a reason gafford and naji are backups and rui would be traded twice.

The goal actually isn't actually to win 40+ games or whatever, I think it's just the byproduct.

Imo, the goal is to reload with younger, cheaper quality guys that can fit financially on a roster with Tatum, Brown and White and draft/develop around them as well. All those guys are good, young and fairly cheap. They don't have to be high level starters. Gafford is a top 20ish center right now. Naji and Rui have more upside still and the type of guys you gotta gamble on in our position.

I agree 100%

I am also in the camp that gambling on someone like Harper is even a better gamble.

Some completely disagree though and think that dumping KP or Jrue for basically nothing in return and run it back it the top option

I really like Harper and get tempted. But, I ultimately feel like it's a 2 timelines problem in the making. Unless Harper is truly, truly elite elite, he's not gonna be the 2nd/3rd guy on a title team on his first contract. And Tatum would need that by his 2nd/3rd year or we're not winning titles.

[Celts17Pride]

Utah gets: Porzingis, Holiday
Bos gets: Collins, Sexton and Kessler

The Ainge boys strike again!

[Larry_Russell]

The goal actually isn't actually to win 40+ games or whatever, I think it's just the byproduct.

Imo, the goal is to reload with younger, cheaper quality guys that can fit financially on a roster with Tatum, Brown and White and draft/develop around them as well. All those guys are good, young and fairly cheap. They don't have to be high level starters. Gafford is a top 20ish center right now. Naji and Rui have more upside still and the type of guys you gotta gamble on in our position.

I agree 100%

I am also in the camp that gambling on someone like Harper is even a better gamble.

Some completely disagree though and think that dumping KP or Jrue for basically nothing in return and run it back it the top option

I really like Harper and get tempted. But, I ultimately feel like it's a 2 timelines problem in the making. Unless Harper is truly, truly elite elite, he's not gonna be the 2nd/3rd guy on a title team on his first contract. And Tatum would need that by his 2nd/3rd year or we're not winning titles.

But also vassell +

[djFan71]

I agree 100%

I am also in the camp that gambling on someone like Harper is even a better gamble.

Some completely disagree though and think that dumping KP or Jrue for basically nothing in return and run it back it the top option

I really like Harper and get tempted. But, I ultimately feel like it's a 2 timelines problem in the making. Unless Harper is truly, truly elite elite, he's not gonna be the 2nd/3rd guy on a title team on his first contract. And Tatum would need that by his 2nd/3rd year or we're not winning titles.

But also vassell +

Jag+. I don't see winning a title in 2 years with Tatum, White, Harper, Pritchard, Vassell, etc. I can with Tatum, White, Brown, Pritchard, etc.

[Fierce1]

Utah gets: Porzingis, Holiday
Bos gets: Collins, Sexton and Kessler

The Ainge boys strike again!

I like that deal.

Cs need a guard like Sexton.

That guy is a dawg!