Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Curmudgeon]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Meh. If Queta had played yesterday, he would have dominated on the glass and would have destroyed that Memphis squad with lobs. Bassey played well but let's not get carried away. Garza also has shot making skills that neither Queta or Bassey have.

[playa-hater]

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[Fierce1]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Meh. If Queta had played yesterday, he would have dominated on the glass and would have destroyed that Memphis squad with lobs. Bassey played well but let's not get carried away. Garza also has shot making skills that neither Queta or Bassey have.

Yesterday was just additional information.

I'm basing my assessment from his time with the Spurs.

[brackdan70]

I'm hoping we can buck the trend because the pattern is really the Celtics win a championship every other decade.

That's been happening since 1986.

1986-2008-2024

If that's the pattern then Cs will be due in the 2040s.

The good news is the enermous amount of pressure for the Jays to win a chip has passed.

After all those ECF appearances and twice in the Finals and end up with no championship, that would have been horrible.

It’s hard to win a chip. The Cs have put themselves in position to at least make a deep run and be relevant all but 4 seasons since 2007-2008.
So a 3-4 window with KG/Pierce that got a championship a finals appearance and an ECF appearance, the a 4 year rebuild and then relevant again for the last 8 years. I sure hope Brad can build another winner before 2040…the Celtics are in great position to do so for at least 4 years.

[Hal14]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Based on what? 1 summer league game?

Summer League is not a good indicator for how guys will play in the NBA.

I should hope a guy who's 24 and already has 4 yrs of NBA experience would look good in SL..especially when all he has to do is stand under the basket, catch the ball and lay it in..rebound and block shots.

He's played for the Sixers and Spurs. Neither team is bringing him back. Spurs could use another big on the roster, especially since they need to watch Wemby's mins coming off season ending injury..and they might play double bigs a bit.

Sixers only kept him for a year, then decided to not bring him back. He's been a FA the entire offseason. All 30 teams decided to pass on offering him a contract. Celtics chose to draft Amari..they chose to sign Garza instead of Bassey. We signed Queta a couple yrs ago instead of Bassey.

He's been ok but overall hasn't shown much in the 4 seasons he's been in the NBA.

Apparently all we're signing him to is a training camp deal..I think he might have a shot at making our opening night roster if we dump Tillman in a trade..

If we just compare Bassey to Queta. What reason do we have to believe Bassey is better? One of them is playing SL because he is fighting just to make a roster. Queta isn't playing SL because he's too good, has already proven enough during his past 2 seasons as a contributor for a Celtics team that won a title 1 year and was a legit contender the other year. Queta is taller, more athletic, better passer and actually shows some flashes of being able to make moves in the low post and flashes of defending out on the perimeter on switches.

[Fierce1]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Based on what? 1 summer league game?

Summer League is not a good indicator for how guys will play in the NBA.

I should hope a guy who's 24 and already has 4 yrs of NBA experience would look good in SL..especially when all he has to do is stand under the basket, catch the ball and lay it in..rebound and block shots.

He's played for the Sixers and Spurs. Neither team is bringing him back. Spurs could use another big on the roster, especially since they need to watch Wemby's mins coming off season ending injury..and they might play double bigs a bit.

Sixers only kept him for a year, then decided to not bring him back. He's been a FA the entire offseason. All 30 teams decided to pass on offering him a contract. Celtics chose to draft Amari..they chose to sign Garza instead of Bassey. We signed Queta a couple yrs ago instead of Bassey.

He's been ok but overall hasn't shown much in the 4 seasons he's been in the NBA.

Apparently all we're signing him to is a training camp deal..

Based on his time with the Spurs.

I think he moves better than Queta.

But I want Bassey to play some PF with the Cs.

[Fierce1]

I will not say Bassey is better than Kornet.

But if the competition are Queta, Garza, and Tillman, I think Bassey is the better player.

[dortmunder]

White pritchard
Simons scheierman
Brown hauser
PF niang?
Bassey queta

Hugo garza minott
Tatum lillard

You sign lillard.
You can trade tillman, walsh and davison to get a starting power forward.
Also should try to trade niang and make sure you get out from 2apron and lux. A third point guard would be welcome, maybe shulga can help there in a bridge year.

[Hal14]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Based on what? 1 summer league game?

Summer League is not a good indicator for how guys will play in the NBA.

I should hope a guy who's 24 and already has 4 yrs of NBA experience would look good in SL..especially when all he has to do is stand under the basket, catch the ball and lay it in..rebound and block shots.

He's played for the Sixers and Spurs. Neither team is bringing him back. Spurs could use another big on the roster, especially since they need to watch Wemby's mins coming off season ending injury..and they might play double bigs a bit.

Sixers only kept him for a year, then decided to not bring him back. He's been a FA the entire offseason. All 30 teams decided to pass on offering him a contract. Celtics chose to draft Amari..they chose to sign Garza instead of Bassey. We signed Queta a couple yrs ago instead of Bassey.

He's been ok but overall hasn't shown much in the 4 seasons he's been in the NBA.

Apparently all we're signing him to is a training camp deal..

Based on his time with the Spurs.

I think he moves better than Queta.

But I want Bassey to play some PF with the Cs.

Clearly his time with the spurs didn't go so well if the spurs didn't want to bring him back, even though they need another big to help backup Wemby - they have to watch his mins coming off a season ending injury. Wemby and Kornet is not enough bigs.

Yet the spurs decided to not bring him back..he's been a FA all offseason and the other 29 teams all decided against offering him a contract as well. All he got is a training camp deal with us, and he's having to compete for a roster spot, play in summer league, despite having 4 years of NBA experience already.

Any guy with 4 yrs of NBA experience yet still having to play in SL..just to try and get a roster spot is likely not very good.

Why would he be able to play PF? He can't shoot, can't pass, can't dribble and can't defend out on the perimeter. He's clearly a 5 and only a 5.

[darrendaye]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Based on what? 1 summer league game?

Summer League is not a good indicator for how guys will play in the NBA.

I should hope a guy who's 24 and already has 4 yrs of NBA experience would look good in SL..especially when all he has to do is stand under the basket, catch the ball and lay it in..rebound and block shots.

He's played for the Sixers and Spurs. Neither team is bringing him back. Spurs could use another big on the roster, especially since they need to watch Wemby's mins coming off season ending injury..and they might play double bigs a bit.

Sixers only kept him for a year, then decided to not bring him back. He's been a FA the entire offseason. All 30 teams decided to pass on offering him a contract. Celtics chose to draft Amari..they chose to sign Garza instead of Bassey. We signed Queta a couple yrs ago instead of Bassey.

He's been ok but overall hasn't shown much in the 4 seasons he's been in the NBA.

Apparently all we're signing him to is a training camp deal..I think he might have a shot at making our opening night roster if we dump Tillman in a trade..

If we just compare Bassey to Queta. What reason do we have to believe Bassey is better? One of them is playing SL because he is fighting just to make a roster. Queta isn't playing SL because he's too good, has already proven enough during his past 2 seasons as a contributor for a Celtics team that won a title 1 year and was a legit contender the other year. Queta is taller, more athletic, better passer and actually shows some flashes of being able to make moves in the low post and flashes of defending out on the perimeter on switches.

Not that I disagree on any of the points presented here, but, Bassey's continued injury history and chronic knee issues likely play a part in his lack of a market. It also certainly counterweighs the argument for him to be viewed as more than a 3rd center. You've done more scouting than I, but discipline could favor Bassey, but upside, as you said, tilts to Queta.

[Celts17Pride]

Bassey could very well make the Celtics (he should), but let's be clear, his role would be 3rd center behind Queta and Garza. Queta and Garza would get the majority of the minutes.

In my opinion, you won't see the Celtics make any additional big man moves until the Al Horford situation officially plays out.

[Celts17Pride]

By the way, I wouldn't be shocked if the Celtics were right in the middle of a 3-4 team trade involving GS, Bos, Sac and maybe another team like Brooklyn with players involved being Simons, Horford, Kuminga and others. Not a rumor but something I bet the teams are investigating. No idea how it would work out.

[Parliament10]

By the way, I wouldn't be shocked if the Celtics were right in the middle of a 3-4 team trade involving GS, Bos, Sac and maybe another team like Brooklyn with players involved being Simons, Horford, Kuminga and others. Not a rumor but something I bet the teams are investigating. No idea how it would work out.

Yeah. I think that this Roster is in major flux.
I don't think that Simons and Niang will be here on Opening Day.

Also, we have several Players that have non-Guaranteed, and/or Partial Guaranteed Dates.
It's gonna be interesting to see who is left, when the smoke clears.

[Parliament10]

Sign Bassey.

He should be the best big on the Celtic roster.

Based on what? 1 summer league game?

Summer League is not a good indicator for how guys will play in the NBA.

I should hope a guy who's 24 and already has 4 yrs of NBA experience would look good in SL..especially when all he has to do is stand under the basket, catch the ball and lay it in..rebound and block shots.

He's played for the Sixers and Spurs. Neither team is bringing him back. Spurs could use another big on the roster, especially since they need to watch Wemby's mins coming off season ending injury..and they might play double bigs a bit.

Sixers only kept him for a year, then decided to not bring him back. He's been a FA the entire offseason. All 30 teams decided to pass on offering him a contract. Celtics chose to draft Amari..they chose to sign Garza instead of Bassey. We signed Queta a couple yrs ago instead of Bassey.

He's been ok but overall hasn't shown much in the 4 seasons he's been in the NBA.

Apparently all we're signing him to is a training camp deal..I think he might have a shot at making our opening night roster if we dump Tillman in a trade..

If we just compare Bassey to Queta. What reason do we have to believe Bassey is better? One of them is playing SL because he is fighting just to make a roster. Queta isn't playing SL because he's too good, has already proven enough during his past 2 seasons as a contributor for a Celtics team that won a title 1 year and was a legit contender the other year. Queta is taller, more athletic, better passer and actually shows some flashes of being able to make moves in the low post and flashes of defending out on the perimeter on switches.

Not that I disagree on any of the points presented here, but, Bassey's continued injury history and chronic knee issues likely play a part in his lack of a market. It also certainly counterweighs the argument for him to be viewed as more than a 3rd center. You've done more scouting than I, but discipline could favor Bassey, but upside, as you said, tilts to Queta.

Bassey has had 2 Season Ending Injuries. With that said, I think that if he can remain healthy, then he could be our Best Big.
The Kid is young, so we'll see. I'd take a flyer on him.

IINM, he also can petition to be Two-Way eligible (not that he's jumping to do that) due to the 2 Season Ending Injuries.

[celtxman]

Bassey could very well make the Celtics (he should), but let's be clear, his role would be 3rd center behind Queta and Garza. Queta and Garza would get the majority of the minutes.

In my opinion, you won't see the Celtics make any additional big man moves until the Al Horford situation officially plays out.

I'd have to see more of both Garza and Bassey to figure out who would be getting more minutes. I hope they are working with Queta to finish around the rim with more force.

[Celts17Pride]

Bassey could very well make the Celtics (he should), but let's be clear, his role would be 3rd center behind Queta and Garza. Queta and Garza would get the majority of the minutes.

In my opinion, you won't see the Celtics make any additional big man moves until the Al Horford situation officially plays out.

I'd have to see more of both Garza and Bassey to figure out who would be getting more minutes. I hope they are working with Queta to finish around the rim with more force.

Celtics made a two year commitment with Garza. Garza is going to play major minutes so the Celtics can determine if he is a player for the future.

[Parliament10]

Bassey could very well make the Celtics (he should), but let's be clear, his role would be 3rd center behind Queta and Garza. Queta and Garza would get the majority of the minutes.

In my opinion, you won't see the Celtics make any additional big man moves until the Al Horford situation officially plays out.

I'd have to see more of both Garza and Bassey to figure out who would be getting more minutes. I hope they are working with Queta to finish around the rim with more force.

Celtics made a two year commitment with Garza. Garza is going to play major minutes so the Celtics can determine if he is a player for the future.

I don't see Garza automatically nudging out Bassey. They were both Drafted in 2021. Garza #52, Bassey #53.
While Garza has a much better 3pt shot; Bassey's stats are better elsewhere.

I can see a place for both.

[Celts17Pride]

I'd have to see more of both Garza and Bassey to figure out who would be getting more minutes. I hope they are working with Queta to finish around the rim with more force.

Celtics made a two year commitment with Garza. Garza is going to play major minutes so the Celtics can determine if he is a player for the future.

I don't see Garza automatically nudging out Bassey. They were both Drafted in 2021. Garza #52, Bassey #53.
While Garza has a much better 3pt shot; Bassey's stats are better elsewhere.

I can see a place for both.

Queta 1, Garza 2, Bassey 3. Just like Prozingis 1, Horford 2, Kornet 3 only a massive difference in talent. Hard for me to believe that Queta won't get the first crack at starting center given this is his 3rd year with the Celtics.

[Parliament10]

Celtics made a two year commitment with Garza. Garza is going to play major minutes so the Celtics can determine if he is a player for the future.

I don't see Garza automatically nudging out Bassey. They were both Drafted in 2021. Garza #52, Bassey #53.
While Garza has a much better 3pt shot; Bassey's stats are better elsewhere.

I can see a place for both.

Queta 1, Garza 2, Bassey 3. Just like Prozingis 1, Horford 2, Kornet 3 only a massive difference in talent. Hard for me to believe that Queta won't get the first crack at starting center given this is his 3rd year with the Celtics.

Yeah. But why Garza over Bassey?

[Parliament10]

Bassey, Garza and Queta, all have different skill sets. I can see them all playing for the Celtics. Just, not in any particular order.
Let them Battle it out. Competition is good for the Soul, and the Team.