2025 Offseason Trade and Free Agency Thread (Wow this is fun!)

[165bows]

I'm glad they didn't wait any longer on this.

Bobby Krivitsky‬

Per the Celtics, Jaylen Brown underwent a successful right knee arthroscopic debridement procedure today.

Brown is expected to participate in training camp without limitation.

A quick Google search says the recovery timeline for Brown's procedure is generally 4-8 weeks to return to daily activities. It's up to 12 weeks to return to athletic endeavors without setbacks.

Here's more on this minimally invasive procedure, via Mercy Health.

https://bsky.app/profile/bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social/post/3lrdqfnen5k22

Worded differently but pretty positive that’s the same surgery that Rob Williams had. Trimming the meniscus instead of repairing it has a shorter recovery but worse long term results. Sometimes trimming it is the only option depending on the tear.

Based on Brad stating how the knee was structurally sound I'm going to assume it's a small tear/procedure.

He could be lying through his teeth who knows but that's what it sounds like based on his statements.

[Celts17Pride]

Read on Twitter

[Gant]

I'm glad they didn't wait any longer on this.

Bobby Krivitsky‬




https://bsky.app/profile/bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social/post/3lrdqfnen5k22

Worded differently but pretty positive that’s the same surgery that Rob Williams had. Trimming the meniscus instead of repairing it has a shorter recovery but worse long term results. Sometimes trimming it is the only option depending on the tear.

Based on Brad stating how the knee was structurally sound I'm going to assume it's a small tear/procedure.

He could be lying through his teeth who knows but that's what it sounds like based on his statements.

Every meniscus situation is different, but this has to be minor. There's no way anyone plays months of basketball on any sort of larger issue.

[celticgreenie]

I didn't' see Brunson as playable on defense at all. He's only playable because he gives you so much on the other end. He's short, slow and can't jump. His best defense is flopping for a charge call.

It's definitely not ideal. But perfection isn't always attainable. I think some of us are spoiled by the team Brad built for that title. 5 out spacing for like the full game. Not lacking in rim protection. Only Pritchard undersized. Secondary ball handling/passing all over the court. The team we had the last few years, for the most part, had no real strategic or schematic weakness personnel wise. Brad's going to have a tough time recreating that. We probably have to "settle" for a smaller guard having a bigger role or a big that can't shoot playing a lot moving forward. It's just going to be really, really hard to re-do the almost perfect fitting group they put together for this run.

Agree. I would add that as much as valuable as White is, he was exposed tremendously against Banchero this playoffs. He lacks to girth against bigger physical guys.

[djFan71]

Read on Twitter

This is sourced, says Jrue is on the table (obviously) and that the Celtics are considering trading up/looking at point guards

Wonder if Al knew something about the Walter Clayton situation when he was tweeting about him during the Final Four.

The rest of the guys seem out of reach without a huge deal in place or just sort of raw and janky in one way or another.

Edit: they are both smaller which is an issue but the other guy I still like is Jase Richardson.

Jase Richardson is a type of player I could see the Celtics interested in drafting.

Traore is another one. He and Clayton are both probably in the 20s unless someone reaches for them. Very trade-up-able(?) to. Best passer/play-maker and measurables of the bunch (Traore, Clayton, Jase). Worst shooter, so far. I could get excited about that pick.

[Celts17Pride]

Wonder if Al knew something about the Walter Clayton situation when he was tweeting about him during the Final Four.

The rest of the guys seem out of reach without a huge deal in place or just sort of raw and janky in one way or another.

Edit: they are both smaller which is an issue but the other guy I still like is Jase Richardson.

Jase Richardson is a type of player I could see the Celtics interested in drafting.

Traore is another one. He and Clayton are both probably in the 20s unless someone reaches for them. Very trade-up-able(?) to. Best passer/play-maker and measurables of the bunch (Traore, Clayton, Jase). Worst shooter, so far. I could get excited about that pick.

Richardson is a three point shooter so I naturally assume that is something the Celtics would lean towards.

[djFan71]

My favorite tax duck plan that's semi-conceivable.

Send out Jrue, KP, Hauser, 28 for WCJ, Naji Marshall, 22.
Might need a future 2nd or 2 to grease things. Hopefully not.

Draft Traore/Clayton/Clifford at 22. Rasheer/Newell/Broome at 32.

Pritchard, White, Brown, WCJ, Kornet
22, Scheierman, Marshall, 32, Queta
JD, Walsh, Tillman
* Tatum

Spoiler:

Trade 1:
BOS: Marshall, 22 for Jrue, 28
DAL: Jrue for Gafford, Marshall, Martin
ATL: Gafford, Martin, 28 for 22

Trade 2:
BOS: KP for WCJ
ORL: WCJ, KCP, 2 2nds for KP
BKN: KCP, 2 2nds for fake 2nd.

* might need to kick in a future 2nd to DAL or BKN to make either happen, but they're close.

[djFan71]

Jase Richardson is a type of player I could see the Celtics interested in drafting.

Traore is another one. He and Clayton are both probably in the 20s unless someone reaches for them. Very trade-up-able(?) to. Best passer/play-maker and measurables of the bunch (Traore, Clayton, Jase). Worst shooter, so far. I could get excited about that pick.

Richardson is a three point shooter so I naturally assume that is something the Celtics would lean towards.

If only he had a right hand.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Seems like any trade will be to dump either Holidays or KP salaries and maybe get some first round picks that won't amount to much in years, or at all. Not very exciting what is happening and will make the team worse.

However I don't blame the new owners honestly. I would be doing everything I can to get out of luxury tax hell considering JT won't be back until at least October of 2026 and next year they will be lucky to make the play in tournament.

October of 2026 is probably the most pessimistic scenario but the one the Celtics should use. This is exactly why I've always been in the camp of trade Jrue first to dump the salary and be working at no worse than being in the 1st apron. So you dump Hauser as well. In the 1st apron you can use the MLE up to a $12M per to get a Hauser replacement if Sheierman doesn't work out.
Jrue at his age is more of a risky luxury in 2026-27

I cannot imagine that JT returns next season especially since this team won't be a contender and will likely be a play in team.

[GoCeltics123]

Shams on McAfee said the Celtics prefer not to trade Jaylen and Derrick despite "big offers", and are focusing on trading Jrue/KP/Hauser

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25204779-celtics-reportedly-prefer-not-trade-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-amid-holiday-rumors

[Celts17Pride]

Shams on McAfee said the Celtics prefer not to trade Jaylen and Derrick despite "big offers", and are focusing on trading Jrue/KP/Hauser

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25204779-celtics-reportedly-prefer-not-trade-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-amid-holiday-rumors

Makes sense. I think Hauser and #28 are probably being dangled to move up in the draft. Just my opinion.

[GoCeltics123]

Shams on McAfee said the Celtics prefer not to trade Jaylen and Derrick despite "big offers", and are focusing on trading Jrue/KP/Hauser

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25204779-celtics-reportedly-prefer-not-trade-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-amid-holiday-rumors

Makes sense. I think Hauser and #28 are probably being dangled to move up in the draft. Just my opinion.

That wouldn't shock me at all.

Also should add, he didn't rule out those guys get moved, but he basically made the point that they'd prefer not to move them

[chrisab123]

Shams on McAfee said the Celtics prefer not to trade Jaylen and Derrick despite "big offers", and are focusing on trading Jrue/KP/Hauser

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25204779-celtics-reportedly-prefer-not-trade-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-amid-holiday-rumors

That will make many posters on this board really mad.

[GoCeltics123]

I think the Celtics' offseason thinking is pretty obvious:

They'd prefer to be out of the tax entirely, but know that might not happen right away

They want to trade Jrue/KP/Hauser

They will listen on Jaylen and Derrick but will have to be blown away to trade them. And PP

[djFan71]

I think the Celtics' offseason thinking is pretty obvious:

They'd prefer to be out of the tax entirely, but know that might not happen right away

They want to trade Jrue/KP/Hauser

They will listen on Jaylen and Derrick but will have to be blown away to trade them. And PP

I’d add that they want to remain competitive for when Tatum comes back, so I doubt they go full tear down. Unless they’re just blown away by Brown or White offers.

[celticgreenie]

I think Porzingis was an absolute warrior for the Celtics in last year's playoffs gutting it out against Dallas but it's time to move on as his defense this playoffs reminded me of his Dallas days. Wagner had a field day against him.

Coincidentally Brad is looking to move two injury prone guys in Porzingis and Holiday just like he did back when it was Smart and Williams.

[redslastlaugh]

If the calculus is Tatum will miss the season in 2025-26, come back for 26-27 but need a season to get his form back, and then 2027-28 season is our target season for contention, the front office needs to get real about where Derrick, Porzingis, Luke, and Jaylen are expected to be come playoffs 2028. And make decisions this summer with playoffs 2028 in mind.

If they conclude white & brown around Tatum will be a championship core in 2028 playoffs, they need to keep those guys. If not, then now is the moment of peak value to move White and/or Brown to get needed assets to reconstitute a title team around JT come 2027-28.

You look at Kobe-Shaq four FInals teams in 2000-04, and then the Kobe-Gasol three Finals teams over 2008-10... and other than Derek Fisher, the entire supporting cast around Kobe Bryant was broken down and reconstituted for the 2nd championship window.

[Celts17Pride]

If the calculus is Tatum will miss the season in 2025-26, come back for 26-27 but need a season to get his form back, and then 2027-28 season is our target season for contention, the front office needs to get real about where Derrick, Porzingis, Luke, and Jaylen are expected to be come playoffs 2028. And make decisions this summer with playoffs 2028 in mind.

If they conclude white & brown around Tatum will be a championship core in 2028 playoffs, they need to keep those guys. If not, then now is the moment of peak value to move White and/or Brown to get needed assets to reconstitute a title team around JT come 2027-28.

You look at Kobe-Shaq four FInals teams in 2000-04, and then the Kobe-Gasol three Finals teams over 2008-10... and other than Derek Fisher, the entire supporting cast around Kobe Bryant was broken down and reconstituted for the 2nd championship window.

You make a HUGE assumption that Tatum is the player he was when he comes back. I hope he is. I mean everyone thinks that's what will happen but nothing is a guarantee, the same can be said for Jaylen Brown's knee. Everyone thinks Brown's injury will not be anything but there are not guarantees. Tatum and Brown have played a ton of minutes the last 7-8 years.

[165bows]

I’ll throw another name out there that fits the Celtics’ mold of guards. Tre Johnson.

[djFan71]

If the calculus is Tatum will miss the season in 2025-26, come back for 26-27 but need a season to get his form back, and then 2027-28 season is our target season for contention, the front office needs to get real about where Derrick, Porzingis, Luke, and Jaylen are expected to be come playoffs 2028. And make decisions this summer with playoffs 2028 in mind.

If they conclude white & brown around Tatum will be a championship core in 2028 playoffs, they need to keep those guys. If not, then now is the moment of peak value to move White and/or Brown to get needed assets to reconstitute a title team around JT come 2027-28.

You look at Kobe-Shaq four FInals teams in 2000-04, and then the Kobe-Gasol three Finals teams over 2008-10... and other than Derek Fisher, the entire supporting cast around Kobe Bryant was broken down and reconstituted for the 2nd championship window.

You make a HUGE assumption that Tatum is the player he was when he comes back. I hope he is. I mean everyone thinks that's what will happen but nothing is a guarantee, the same can be said for Jaylen Brown's knee. Everyone thinks Brown's injury will not be anything but there are not guarantees. Tatum and Brown have played a ton of minutes the last 7-8 years.

How do you not make that assumption, though? You either take the risk, or end up trading away a possible contender.

I think if anything, 27-28 is the conservative assumption. They should really target 26-27 thru 28-29. The 27 playoffs is 2 full years post injury and a season to play thru the rust. 27-29 playoffs are the prime contention window, imo.

White (almost 33 to almost 35 - July bday) is the oldest and possibly declined by the last season
Brown (30.5 to 32.5 - Oct bday) in late prime
Tatum (29-31) will be in his best years he has left