Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[drs123310]

Following the Jrue/KP trades, my prediction is a few more minor moves to round out the roster and add youth, but I don't think we move another key guy.

The year after next you still have the core of Pritchard, White, Brown, and Tatum under contract to compete again. That's a starting lineup minus a center with a year+ to figure that position out. Hauser, if kept, would still be under contract off the bench, plus could extend Simons as 6th man. And any other younger guys who show promise in the meantime.

[keevsnick1]

Some thoughts:

1) The C's now sit 4.5 million below the 2nd apron. They could free up more wiggle room by trading Niang's 8.2 million dollar expiring into some team's exception with a future 2nd rounder as the incentive. That would likely open up enough room to bring back Kornet and/or Horford unless some team makes a crazy offer. So the odds that at least ONE of those guys returns is way up.

2) Part of the value of the KP trade is there's no longer any pressure to trade Hauser, which is good because his 4/45 contract is a bargain. The C's may still trade him, but now they can approach a deal from a "get maximum pick value" standing rather than a "save money" standing. His contract is a huge value going forward, so keeping him for a future when you will be expensive again is important.

3) The C's generated a 22 million dollar TPE in the KP trade. They actually can't use that TPE right now, since they are above the first apron and using a TPE hardcaps you at the first apron. They may NEVER use it. But depending on how things go it could come into play next offseason if the shed enough salary to use it.

4) With Tatum likeli out all year and KP replaced with Niang (who may soon be dealt) there could be a lot more minutes available on the Celtics for young guys next season. That means Walsh, Scheierman, Queta, #28 and #32 will all get chnaces to step up. The draft will be very interesting, especially with rumors C's want to move up. #28+#32 could probably get you to around #20-#22, if one of those teams wants to play ball.

5) Anfernee Simons is worth a look. We know how much Joe loves threes, and Simons is a bomber from three. At the very least he'll provide an offensive floor for the non-Jaylen minutes next year which I was pretty worried about before the Jrue trade. Going forward his greatest value may be as a salary slot. With the C's now below the 2nd apron they can once again aggregate contracts to bring back largest salaries players. For example White+Simons could bring back 55+ million. Simons+Hauser 37+ million. Simons+Niang 35+ million. Simons+Niang+Hauser 45+ million. It will be inetretsing to see if the C's try to extend him just to lock in that contract as tradeable in the coming years.

[Shak_Celts]

Jrue said JD is an nba player, if he’s still here, I hope Joe throws him to the wolves in the early season. I wanna see something, with the better players.

[ThePigeon]

I wonder what Brown and White are thinking
Trading Jrue and KP for Simons and Niang (who both may not play here at all), the situation with Al and Kornet etc
The team is a work in progress, but I wonder how do they feel about being a champion, a contender and a ????

[Fierce1]

I wonder what Brown and White are thinking
Trading Jrue and KP for Simons and Niang (who both may not play here at all), the situation with Al and Kornet etc
The team is a work in progress, but I wonder how do they feel about being a champion, a contender and a ????

Those guys don't overthink like us fans.

[Hal14]

Our opening night roster, as of now:

Jaylen Brown
Derrick White
Anfernee Simons
Payton Pritchard
Sam Hauser
Georges Niang
Baylor Scheierman
Hugo Gonzalez
Neemias Queta
Jordan Walsh
Xavier Tillman
JD Davison

2-way: Miles Norris

FA: Horford, Kornet, Craig, Peterson
Injured: Tatum

[Hal14]

I wonder what Brown and White are thinking
Trading Jrue and KP for Simons and Niang (who both may not play here at all), the situation with Al and Kornet etc
The team is a work in progress, but I wonder how do they feel about being a champion, a contender and a ????

I think they are smart enough to know what's going on with the new CBA, 2nd apron, Tatum's injury, etc. and our plan to punt next season and get our squad in a position to contend for a title in 2027-2030.

As long as we have Tatum/Brown/White and surround them with some decent supporting pieces like Pritchard and others, we're a contender.

Look at Indy. They're a sum of their parts. 1 superstar (Hali), 1 star (Siakam) and a bunch of solid role players who know their role, accept their role, play hard and play together.

We have 1 superstar (Tatum), 1 star (JB), arguably the best role player in the league (white), the 6MOY (Pritchard) and by the 2027 playoffs get here, hopefulyl we have a few other good role players..including possibly Horford and Kornet if they are still here..

[tfmiii]

As a team, Boston Celtics shot 33% on pullup 3s last season, per Second Spectrum

That ranked 14th in NBA

Tatum ranked 2nd in pullup 3-point attempts per game (7.2), making 32.9% of them

Simons ranked 18th in pullup-3-point attempts per game (4.2), making 34.7% of them

https://images.app.goo.gl/SGaLN6ionXzCdug97

https://bsky.app/profile/lawmurraythenu.bsky.social/post/3lsdbgwg5x32x

[cloverleaf]

Some thoughts:

1) The C's now sit 4.5 million below the 2nd apron. They could free up more wiggle room by trading Niang's 8.2 million dollar expiring into some team's exception with a future 2nd rounder as the incentive. That would likely open up enough room to bring back Kornet and/or Horford unless some team makes a crazy offer. So the odds that at least ONE of those guys returns is way up.

2) Part of the value of the KP trade is there's no longer any pressure to trade Hauser, which is good because his 4/45 contract is a bargain. The C's may still trade him, but now they can approach a deal from a "get maximum pick value" standing rather than a "save money" standing. His contract is a huge value going forward, so keeping him for a future when you will be expensive again is important.

3) The C's generated a 22 million dollar TPE in the KP trade. They actually can't use that TPE right now, since they are above the first apron and using a TPE hardcaps you at the first apron. They may NEVER use it. But depending on how things go it could come into play next offseason if the shed enough salary to use it.

4) With Tatum likeli out all year and KP replaced with Niang (who may soon be dealt) there could be a lot more minutes available on the Celtics for young guys next season. That means Walsh, Scheierman, Queta, #28 and #32 will all get chnaces to step up. The draft will be very interesting, especially with rumors C's want to move up. #28+#32 could probably get you to around #20-#22, if one of those teams wants to play ball.

5) Anfernee Simons is worth a look. We know how much Joe loves threes, and Simons is a bomber from three. At the very least he'll provide an offensive floor for the non-Jaylen minutes next year which I was pretty worried about before the Jrue trade. Going forward his greatest value may be as a salary slot. With the C's now below the 2nd apron they can once again aggregate contracts to bring back largest salaries players. For example White+Simons could bring back 55+ million. Simons+Hauser 37+ million. Simons+Niang 35+ million. Simons+Niang+Hauser 45+ million. It will be inetretsing to see if the C's try to extend him just to lock in that contract as tradeable in the coming years.

Even with Jrue out, the backcourt is crowded with Hugo and Rico and JD all looking for time, so I think the bigger Simons contract is the most likely to go. He's less of a Celtics type player anyway. Niang seems closer to a Hauser replacement, and I could see Sammy going too. Hard to imagine Brad won't bag some type of big tonight.

[phincsfan]

Some thoughts:

1) The C's now sit 4.5 million below the 2nd apron. They could free up more wiggle room by trading Niang's 8.2 million dollar expiring into some team's exception with a future 2nd rounder as the incentive. That would likely open up enough room to bring back Kornet and/or Horford unless some team makes a crazy offer. So the odds that at least ONE of those guys returns is way up.

2) Part of the value of the KP trade is there's no longer any pressure to trade Hauser, which is good because his 4/45 contract is a bargain. The C's may still trade him, but now they can approach a deal from a "get maximum pick value" standing rather than a "save money" standing. His contract is a huge value going forward, so keeping him for a future when you will be expensive again is important.

3) The C's generated a 22 million dollar TPE in the KP trade. They actually can't use that TPE right now, since they are above the first apron and using a TPE hardcaps you at the first apron. They may NEVER use it. But depending on how things go it could come into play next offseason if the shed enough salary to use it.

4) With Tatum likeli out all year and KP replaced with Niang (who may soon be dealt) there could be a lot more minutes available on the Celtics for young guys next season. That means Walsh, Scheierman, Queta, #28 and #32 will all get chnaces to step up. The draft will be very interesting, especially with rumors C's want to move up. #28+#32 could probably get you to around #20-#22, if one of those teams wants to play ball.

5) Anfernee Simons is worth a look. We know how much Joe loves threes, and Simons is a bomber from three. At the very least he'll provide an offensive floor for the non-Jaylen minutes next year which I was pretty worried about before the Jrue trade. Going forward his greatest value may be as a salary slot. With the C's now below the 2nd apron they can once again aggregate contracts to bring back largest salaries players. For example White+Simons could bring back 55+ million. Simons+Hauser 37+ million. Simons+Niang 35+ million. Simons+Niang+Hauser 45+ million. It will be inetretsing to see if the C's try to extend him just to lock in that contract as tradeable in the coming years.

Even with Jrue out, the backcourt is crowded with Hugo and Rico and JD all looking for time, so I think the bigger Simons contract is the most likely to go. He's less of a Celtics type player anyway. Niang seems closer to a Hauser replacement, and I could see Sammy going too. Hard to imagine Brad won't bag some type of big tonight.

I'd rather give any minutes Davison may get and give them to Rico.

[cloverleaf]

Some thoughts:

1) The C's now sit 4.5 million below the 2nd apron. They could free up more wiggle room by trading Niang's 8.2 million dollar expiring into some team's exception with a future 2nd rounder as the incentive. That would likely open up enough room to bring back Kornet and/or Horford unless some team makes a crazy offer. So the odds that at least ONE of those guys returns is way up.

2) Part of the value of the KP trade is there's no longer any pressure to trade Hauser, which is good because his 4/45 contract is a bargain. The C's may still trade him, but now they can approach a deal from a "get maximum pick value" standing rather than a "save money" standing. His contract is a huge value going forward, so keeping him for a future when you will be expensive again is important.

3) The C's generated a 22 million dollar TPE in the KP trade. They actually can't use that TPE right now, since they are above the first apron and using a TPE hardcaps you at the first apron. They may NEVER use it. But depending on how things go it could come into play next offseason if the shed enough salary to use it.

4) With Tatum likeli out all year and KP replaced with Niang (who may soon be dealt) there could be a lot more minutes available on the Celtics for young guys next season. That means Walsh, Scheierman, Queta, #28 and #32 will all get chnaces to step up. The draft will be very interesting, especially with rumors C's want to move up. #28+#32 could probably get you to around #20-#22, if one of those teams wants to play ball.

5) Anfernee Simons is worth a look. We know how much Joe loves threes, and Simons is a bomber from three. At the very least he'll provide an offensive floor for the non-Jaylen minutes next year which I was pretty worried about before the Jrue trade. Going forward his greatest value may be as a salary slot. With the C's now below the 2nd apron they can once again aggregate contracts to bring back largest salaries players. For example White+Simons could bring back 55+ million. Simons+Hauser 37+ million. Simons+Niang 35+ million. Simons+Niang+Hauser 45+ million. It will be inetretsing to see if the C's try to extend him just to lock in that contract as tradeable in the coming years.

Even with Jrue out, the backcourt is crowded with Hugo and Rico and JD all looking for time, so I think the bigger Simons contract is the most likely to go. He's less of a Celtics type player anyway. Niang seems closer to a Hauser replacement, and I could see Sammy going too. Hard to imagine Brad won't bag some type of big tonight.

I'd rather give any minutes Davison may get and give them to Rico.

They're somewhat different and complementary players, but I'm way higher on Rico too.

[ajones9219]

Some thoughts:

1) The C's now sit 4.5 million below the 2nd apron. They could free up more wiggle room by trading Niang's 8.2 million dollar expiring into some team's exception with a future 2nd rounder as the incentive. That would likely open up enough room to bring back Kornet and/or Horford unless some team makes a crazy offer. So the odds that at least ONE of those guys returns is way up.

2) Part of the value of the KP trade is there's no longer any pressure to trade Hauser, which is good because his 4/45 contract is a bargain. The C's may still trade him, but now they can approach a deal from a "get maximum pick value" standing rather than a "save money" standing. His contract is a huge value going forward, so keeping him for a future when you will be expensive again is important.

3) The C's generated a 22 million dollar TPE in the KP trade. They actually can't use that TPE right now, since they are above the first apron and using a TPE hardcaps you at the first apron. They may NEVER use it. But depending on how things go it could come into play next offseason if the shed enough salary to use it.

4) With Tatum likeli out all year and KP replaced with Niang (who may soon be dealt) there could be a lot more minutes available on the Celtics for young guys next season. That means Walsh, Scheierman, Queta, #28 and #32 will all get chnaces to step up. The draft will be very interesting, especially with rumors C's want to move up. #28+#32 could probably get you to around #20-#22, if one of those teams wants to play ball.

5) Anfernee Simons is worth a look. We know how much Joe loves threes, and Simons is a bomber from three. At the very least he'll provide an offensive floor for the non-Jaylen minutes next year which I was pretty worried about before the Jrue trade. Going forward his greatest value may be as a salary slot. With the C's now below the 2nd apron they can once again aggregate contracts to bring back largest salaries players. For example White+Simons could bring back 55+ million. Simons+Hauser 37+ million. Simons+Niang 35+ million. Simons+Niang+Hauser 45+ million. It will be inetretsing to see if the C's try to extend him just to lock in that contract as tradeable in the coming years.

Even with Jrue out, the backcourt is crowded with Hugo and Rico and JD all looking for time, so I think the bigger Simons contract is the most likely to go. He's less of a Celtics type player anyway. Niang seems closer to a Hauser replacement, and I could see Sammy going too. Hard to imagine Brad won't bag some type of big tonight.

Couldn't disagree more. Simons is our 4th best player and arguably an upgrade from Jrue given the age. It would be a huge mistake to trade him. We fleeced the Blazers. No need to undo it with a silly move.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

The Bruins have the 7th pick in the NHL Draft and I want them to trade down 17 times to honor Belichick and Stevens...

[sam_I_am]

Jrue said JD is an nba player, if he’s still here, I hope Joe throws him to the wolves in the early season. I wanna see something, with the better players.

Imagine a backcourt of JD and Simons with Queta as the backstop? Some team may score 200+ against us. Tatum is not coming back this year. 2026 lottery looking good.

[cloverleaf]

Jrue said JD is an nba player, if he’s still here, I hope Joe throws him to the wolves in the early season. I wanna see something, with the better players.

No reason to add extra pressure beyond easing him into a rotational role.

[brackdan70]

Following the Jrue/KP trades, my prediction is a few more minor moves to round out the roster and add youth, but I don't think we move another key guy.

The year after next you still have the core of Pritchard, White, Brown, and Tatum under contract to compete again. That's a starting lineup minus a center with a year+ to figure that position out. Hauser, if kept, would still be under contract off the bench, plus could extend Simons as 6th man. And any other younger guys who show promise in the meantime.

Is my thinking also. Queta is your starting big. Let’s do it!!!
See how it goes and find a center for 26/27 when we are ready to compete for real.

[KamikazeK]

This upcoming season will be Joe and JB's big opportunities to silence some doubters.

[Fierce1]

This upcoming season will be Joe and JB's big opportunities to silence some doubters.

Joe calling more timeouts because the ball keeps hitting JB's foot and going out of bounds.

[playa-hater]

Who do you want/hope or expect to surprise more between recently drafted Amari Williams or recently signed Luka Garza?

On a side note I hate that Luka looks like Wally Szczerbiak

[keevsnick1]

Some new thoughts:

1) I'm guessing the Garza signing is a 1+1 with a team option. He's been sort of stuck behind Gobert/KAT/Reid in Minnesota. The Celtics lost have apparently been interested in him for a while, might be a good reclamation project the same way Kornet was.

2) With the Garza signing C's now 2 million below the 2nd apron, roughly 17 million above the tax with 14 players on roster. Roster breakdown is:

Guard: White, Simons, Pritchard, Davidson(N)
Wing: Brown, Hauser, Niang, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez, Tatum(inj)
Bigs: Queta, Garza, Tillman
Two Ways: Miles Norris, Max Shulga, Amari Williams
Free Agents: Al Horford, Torey Craig

It's not bad perimeter talent but having no clear starting or even backup level center is a killer. The defense will be bad between Simons, Niang and the complete lack of rim protection.

3) The C's really can't really get out of the luxury tax without trading Simons. Hauser+Niang is 18 million, but once you fill in their roster spots it probably only nets you about 13 million in savings. So it really has to be a Simons trade. Problem is moving 27 million isn't easy, need a team that both wants Simons and has the right mix of contracts to send back. If they just want to save some money, but not escape the tax, then Niang is the obvious trade.

4) There will be wing minutes to be played, especially if Niang is shipped out as part of a cost savings move. Feels like at least one of Scheierman, Walsh and Gonzalez will get a real chance.