Holy Offseason I Can’t Believe it’s July FA/Trade/Waiver Thread

[WeLikeOurGuys]

I was optimistic that JT would be back next season, but I don't think he returns.

As much as I hate to punt on a season, next year might be the one to do it—get under the second apron, manage the workloads for White and Brown, and aim for a lottery pick. With a little luck, you might land a difference-maker.

Let the young guys play meaningful minutes and see who can take a step forward. Then go into the 2026 offseason reloaded and ready to make another championship run in 2026–2027.

Honestly, I think this might already be the direction the Celtics are planning to take. Why else would Al not want to re-sign with us? A few extra million to play with the Nuggets or Warriors? I doubt it. It feels like the team has already communicated to him that next season is going to be a punt year.

[brackdan70]

On Tatum: I am not expecting him back this season.
At the same time I am fine with him working his ass off to be in a position to come back if all goes best case scenario.
I am expecting him to be ready for 26/27

[165bows]

Big part of the issue worth mentioning was that along with the Js, White was total *** in the playoffs this year on both sides of the ball.

That indeed has to reverse if it doesn’t then that is a massive issue for them.

Some of that is coaching

Teams understand what the Celtics want to do. And they can gamplan against it. but clueless joe has no counterpunches.

It was roster construction at fault as much if not more than coaching. Celtics really only had two guys who can consistently put pressure on the rim and one of them doesn’t have the best handle or vision. It’s good to have shooters but the Celtics need some variety of skill around Tatum and Brown not 10 guys who stand at the 3 point line but can’t put the ball on the floor. It was less of an issue when Al, Holidays and Porzingis were healthier and younger but the three of them declining in the same season really hurt the Celtics.

That's why it is health primarily and then age in terms of last year. Same roster construction that put forth one of the best season of all time in 2024.

Personally I just don't look at it as Tatum's injury being an isolated incident. I could be wrong but I just think he was physically beat up from playing more minutes than anyone over his entire career and it's a cumulative effect not just one bad step out of the blue. People can disagree but I have a lot of experience with this stuff and for me that's not how it works.

KP whatever happened to him was trash, Jrue was clearly worse off than we thought, Al is too old to be more than a complimentary player, JB can be hit or miss at the best of times and had a torn knee, and Tatum (imo) was playing slower than his typical slower pace because he was breaking down.

Now people can complain about specifics with coaching I have no issue with that whatsoever (play more guys being a chief one here). But if he's not at least decent what would '24 have looked like with a decent coach, 70+ wins and 18-0 in the playoffs?

[brackdan70]

Some of that is coaching

Teams understand what the Celtics want to do. And they can gamplan against it. but clueless joe has no counterpunches.

It was roster construction at fault as much if not more than coaching. Celtics really only had two guys who can consistently put pressure on the rim and one of them doesn’t have the best handle or vision. It’s good to have shooters but the Celtics need some variety of skill around Tatum and Brown not 10 guys who stand at the 3 point line but can’t put the ball on the floor. It was less of an issue when Al, Holidays and Porzingis were healthier and younger but the three of them declining in the same season really hurt the Celtics.

That's why it is health primarily and then age in terms of last year. Same roster construction that put forth one of the best season of all time in 2024.

Personally I just don't look at it as Tatum's injury being an isolated incident. I could be wrong but I just think he was physically beat up from playing more minutes than anyone over his entire career and it's a cumulative effect not just one bad step out of the blue. People can disagree but I have a lot of experience with this stuff and for me that's not how it works.

KP whatever happened to him was trash, Jrue was clearly worse off than we thought, Al is too old to be more than a complimentary player, JB can be hit or miss at the best of times and had a torn knee, and Tatum (imo) was playing slower than his typical slower pace because he was breaking down.

Now people can complain about specifics with coaching I have no issue with that whatsoever (play more guys being a chief one here). But if he's not at least decent what would '24 have looked like with a decent coach, 70+ wins and 18-0 in the playoffs?

18-0 in the playoffs is very impressive!!!

[165bows]

It was roster construction at fault as much if not more than coaching. Celtics really only had two guys who can consistently put pressure on the rim and one of them doesn’t have the best handle or vision. It’s good to have shooters but the Celtics need some variety of skill around Tatum and Brown not 10 guys who stand at the 3 point line but can’t put the ball on the floor. It was less of an issue when Al, Holidays and Porzingis were healthier and younger but the three of them declining in the same season really hurt the Celtics.

That's why it is health primarily and then age in terms of last year. Same roster construction that put forth one of the best season of all time in 2024.

Personally I just don't look at it as Tatum's injury being an isolated incident. I could be wrong but I just think he was physically beat up from playing more minutes than anyone over his entire career and it's a cumulative effect not just one bad step out of the blue. People can disagree but I have a lot of experience with this stuff and for me that's not how it works.

KP whatever happened to him was trash, Jrue was clearly worse off than we thought, Al is too old to be more than a complimentary player, JB can be hit or miss at the best of times and had a torn knee, and Tatum (imo) was playing slower than his typical slower pace because he was breaking down.

Now people can complain about specifics with coaching I have no issue with that whatsoever (play more guys being a chief one here). But if he's not at least decent what would '24 have looked like with a decent coach, 70+ wins and 18-0 in the playoffs?

18-0 in the playoffs is very impressive!!!

70 win tenth seed, it would have been a tough season all around

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

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[phincsfan]

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LAL will have Luka AND Jokic on their roster in 27’.

Book it.

[Hal14]

Interesting notes:

https://www.clnsmedia.com/thoughts-on-celtics-trades-finalizing-and-the-damian-lillard-pursuit/

TL/DR, no additional trade is imminent from Boston. Horford is not likely to retire. He'll sign somewhere. Bobby seems to think there's at least some chance he could resign with Boston..and he also thinks Lillard could possibly sign here..

Simons/Niang could still be traded but no deal is imminent. Barring something unforeseen happening, they won't be traded anytime soon.

My 2 cents: We'll get under the 2nd apron but probably not completely under the tax. We're barely over 2nd apron now so it could be just dumping someone like Walsh/Tillman/JD that gets us under the 2nd apron..

[Celtics_Champs]

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Why do people try and make a point look better by adding names.

This tweet only has me thinking, why in the world would any team be preserving cap space for James Harden? Who’s giving Harden the Max in 2027?

[SuperDeluxe]

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LAL will have Luka AND Jokic on their roster in 27’.

Book it.

I'd be very surprised if Jokic chooses Lakers. He strikes me as an all-business, no-nonsense, no-circus type of guy (Giannis too). My guess is that he stays in Denver.

[canman1971]

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Are they gonna be forming an Over 35 NBA League?

[fallguy]

I think we've firmly established that everyone is speculating on Tatum's return and nobody knows.

[fallguy]

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[fallguy]

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[fallguy]

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[Boss66]

I think we've firmly established that everyone is speculating on Tatum's return and nobody knows.

kinda wish they would take the debate to another thread TBH

[fallguy]

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[fallguy]

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[phincsfan]

Interesting notes:

https://www.clnsmedia.com/thoughts-on-celtics-trades-finalizing-and-the-damian-lillard-pursuit/

TL/DR, no additional trade is imminent from Boston. Horford is not likely to retire. He'll sign somewhere. Bobby seems to think there's at least some chance he could resign with Boston..and he also thinks Lillard could possibly sign here..

Simons/Niang could still be traded but no deal is imminent. Barring something unforeseen happening, they won't be traded anytime soon.

My 2 cents: We'll get under the 2nd apron but probably not completely under the tax. We're barely over 2nd apron now so it could be just dumping someone like Walsh/Tillman/JD that gets us under the 2nd apron..

All 3 would be fine by me

[BleedGreen1989]

On Tatum: I am not expecting him back this season.
At the same time I am fine with him working his ass off to be in a position to come back if all goes best case scenario.
I am expecting him to be ready for 26/27

I really hate the idea of him coming back next year.

It’s so pointless in my eyes.