Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[djFan71]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

[fallguy]

I just don't think there's a match on either side.

Boston's focus this season should be on developing younger bigs (including some we may not have on the roster yet) and losing games. It's our one season to do this. Force feed them minutes.

Al doesn't need money. He has a title. Would he like another? Sure. But that's not happening in Boston. Why go through another long season just to miss the playoffs or lose early on?

I’d be fine with this, however outside of Minot they don’t have any. My complaint has been that Brad has been negligent in the draft. The most he’s gotten out of it is multiple extra seconds, that have been used on fringe vets at the deadline. He’s had the ammunition to move up if wanted, and he’s also passed on some big men that have earned minutes during their rookie seasons.

I don't feel like I have a take on Brad's work in the draft yet. He's prioritized win-now guys, appropriately. He hasn't had a good pick yet. The guys he has taken are projects. I think we'll see him focus more on cost-controllable talent in the future and presumably we'll eventually get a pick in the teens or top-10. Then we'll have a better idea what he can do.

My bet is our next real starting center is playing for someone else right now.

[Fierce1]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

Please no to Mann, SloMo and other guys who are average role players.

Unlike Ainge, Brad does not lie a lot.

So when Brad says ducking the tax is not the primary goal, I believe him.

If it's about trading Simons, Cs need to get a guy like Coby White.

Tatum out means the Cs need another scorer.

It's also clear the Cs are not tanking.
So don't go from Simons to guys like Mann or Kuz.

Right now the Cs are capable of winning 45 wins.

Downgrading is a bad idea and will put the Cs in play-in territory.

[redslastlaugh]

I’d be fine with this, however outside of Minot they don’t have any. My complaint has been that Brad has been negligent in the draft. The most he’s gotten out of it is multiple extra seconds, that have been used on fringe vets at the deadline. He’s had the ammunition to move up if wanted, and he’s also passed on some big men that have earned minutes during their rookie seasons.

I don't feel like I have a take on Brad's work in the draft yet. He's prioritized win-now guys, appropriately. He hasn't had a good pick yet. The guys he has taken are projects. I think we'll see him focus more on cost-controllable talent in the future and presumably we'll eventually get a pick in the teens or top-10. Then we'll have a better idea what he can do.

Yea, I am concerned that the Celts just don't emphasize the draft enough.

I saw an interview with Brad talking about when he was coach, he'd leave the draft war room to get some food or prepare to do media when the 2nd round started because he was kind of like, "nothing left to see here."

And this years draft, after the first round, Brad in his presser said Joe Mazzulla was elsewhere (not in the building) attending some kind of conference on motivation or leadership or something.

I follow the draft really closely, since I was like a teenager the NBA draft has been one of my favorite days of the year, and I've seen tons of draft behind the scenes content. The Phoenix Suns released a draft video on their socials for the 2024 draft and coach Bud was there in the room, advocating for Ryan Dunn, the guy the Suns took, along with the owner and James Jones the GM. And then Brad's was like, "Joe's not here." and so that said something.

The coach didn't even attend the draft. And then you have that interview Scheierman gave where he said Joe told him, "i don't really like rookies," so, I don't know, it just seems like the draft is not viewed as highly under the present front office as how the team prioritized it in the Danny Ainge era. But I don't know, just reading the tea leaves here

[Fierce1]

I’d be fine with this, however outside of Minot they don’t have any. My complaint has been that Brad has been negligent in the draft. The most he’s gotten out of it is multiple extra seconds, that have been used on fringe vets at the deadline. He’s had the ammunition to move up if wanted, and he’s also passed on some big men that have earned minutes during their rookie seasons.

I don't feel like I have a take on Brad's work in the draft yet. He's prioritized win-now guys, appropriately. He hasn't had a good pick yet. The guys he has taken are projects. I think we'll see him focus more on cost-controllable talent in the future and presumably we'll eventually get a pick in the teens or top-10. Then we'll have a better idea what he can do.

Yea, I am concerned that the Celts just don't emphasize the draft enough.

I saw an interview with Brad talking about when he was coach, he'd leave the draft war room to get some food or prepare to do media when the 2nd round started because he was kind of like, "nothing left to see here."

And this years draft, after the first round, Brad in his presser said Joe Mazzulla was elsewhere (not in the building) attending some kind of conference on motivation or leadership or something.

I follow the draft really closely, since I was like a teenager the NBA draft has been one of my favorite days of the year, and I've seen tons of draft behind the scenes content. Phoenix Suns released a draft video on their socials for the 2024 draft and coach Bud was there in the room, advocating for Ryan Dunn, the guy the Suns took, along with the owner and James Jones the GM. And then Brad's was like, "Joe's not here." and so that said something.

The coach didn't attend the draft. And then you have that interview Scheierman gave where he said Joe told him, "i don't really like rookie," so, I don't know, it just seems like the draft is not viewed as highly under the present front office as how the team prioritized it in the Danny Ainge era. But I don't know, just reading the tea leaves here

When you're picking 30th or 28th, you really don't get excited about that.

It will be a different story when the Cs are picking in the lottery.

[djFan71]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

Please no to Mann, SloMo and other guys who are average role players.

Unlike Ainge, Brad does not lie a lot.

So when Brad says ducking the tax is not the primary goal, I believe him.

If it's about trading Simons, Cs need to get a guy like Coby White.

Tatum out means the Cs need another scorer.

It's also clear the Cs are not tanking.
So don't go from Simons to guys like Mann or Kuz.

Right now the Cs are capable of winning 45 wins.

Downgrading is a bad idea and will put the Cs in play-in territory.

It's about not valuing the Simons/White/etc archetype much. So, yeah, if you like him, these proposals are bad.

Also, moot as apparently MIL doesn't have the full room MLE to take Niang anymore. Getting Kuz/Mann and getting under the tax is one thing. Getting them and being another few (viable) steps away is less attractive.

[Fierce1]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

Please no to Mann, SloMo and other guys who are average role players.

Unlike Ainge, Brad does not lie a lot.

So when Brad says ducking the tax is not the primary goal, I believe him.

If it's about trading Simons, Cs need to get a guy like Coby White.

Tatum out means the Cs need another scorer.

It's also clear the Cs are not tanking.
So don't go from Simons to guys like Mann or Kuz.

Right now the Cs are capable of winning 45 wins.

Downgrading is a bad idea and will put the Cs in play-in territory.

It's about not valuing the Simons/White/etc archetype much. So, yeah, if you like him, these proposals are bad.

Also, moot as apparently MIL doesn't have the full room MLE to take Niang anymore. Getting Kuz/Mann and getting under the tax is one thing. Getting them and being another few (viable) steps away is less attractive.

I like Coby White better because I think Coby is a long term solution at Guard.

IMO it's not a good idea to trade a legit scoring guard just to duck the tax.

If you think about it, the Cs already dumped 60m+ from trading Jrue and KP and the Cs are still at the 2nd apron.

Yes, to trading Simons, but not for average role players.

[djFan71]

My real preference is adding a pick or 2 to Simons and upgrading.

Gafford, Martin to BOS
Simons, Hardy, Tillman to BKN
Mann, one of BOS 2026 2nds to DAL

Dallas saves $14M, gets a pick and a guy they can use.
BKN clears most of Mann's money in one year. Maybe Hardy improves, if not 27-28 is a team option.

BOS gets a center rotation of Gafford, Queta and Garza.
Martin adds depth at the wing.
Saves $4M in taxes plus multiplier on it. More movable pieces if they wanna go for the tax.

You're within $14M of the line and have guys like Hauser, Martin, Niang you can move if you want. Or not.

[Fierce1]

My real preference is adding a pick or 2 to Simons and upgrading.

Gafford, Martin to BOS
Simons, Hardy, Tillman to BKN
Mann, one of BOS 2026 2nds to DAL

Dallas saves $14M, gets a pick and a guy they can use.
BKN clears most of Mann's money in one year. Maybe Hardy improves, if not 27-28 is a team option.

BOS gets a center rotation of Gafford, Queta and Garza.
Martin adds depth at the wing.
Saves $4M in taxes plus multiplier on it. More movable pieces if they wanna go for the tax.

You're within $14M of the line and have guys like Hauser, Martin, Niang you can move if you want. Or not.

That's much better.

But like you said, D-Lo signing makes it unlikely the Mavs will want Simons.

If it's getting a big, we're back to Simons, Hauser, Tillman, and JD for Vuc and Coby.

[djFan71]

My real preference is adding a pick or 2 to Simons and upgrading.

Gafford, Martin to BOS
Simons, Hardy, Tillman to BKN
Mann, one of BOS 2026 2nds to DAL

Dallas saves $14M, gets a pick and a guy they can use.
BKN clears most of Mann's money in one year. Maybe Hardy improves, if not 27-28 is a team option.

BOS gets a center rotation of Gafford, Queta and Garza.
Martin adds depth at the wing.
Saves $4M in taxes plus multiplier on it. More movable pieces if they wanna go for the tax.

You're within $14M of the line and have guys like Hauser, Martin, Niang you can move if you want. Or not.

That's much better.

But like you said, D-Lo signing makes it unlikely the Mavs will want Simons.

If it's getting a big, we're back to Simons, Hauser, Tillman, and JD for Vuc and Coby.

Simons is going to BKN here. Their motivation is getting off of the future Mann money by using this year's cap space.

[Fierce1]

My real preference is adding a pick or 2 to Simons and upgrading.

Gafford, Martin to BOS
Simons, Hardy, Tillman to BKN
Mann, one of BOS 2026 2nds to DAL

Dallas saves $14M, gets a pick and a guy they can use.
BKN clears most of Mann's money in one year. Maybe Hardy improves, if not 27-28 is a team option.

BOS gets a center rotation of Gafford, Queta and Garza.
Martin adds depth at the wing.
Saves $4M in taxes plus multiplier on it. More movable pieces if they wanna go for the tax.

You're within $14M of the line and have guys like Hauser, Martin, Niang you can move if you want. Or not.

That's much better.

But like you said, D-Lo signing makes it unlikely the Mavs will want Simons.

If it's getting a big, we're back to Simons, Hauser, Tillman, and JD for Vuc and Coby.

Simons is going to BKN here. Their motivation is getting off of the future Mann money by using this year's cap space.

Mann and a pick for Dallas is not worth losing Gafford.

Bad deal for Dallas.

The extension given to Gafford is a sign Mavs value Gafford.

[djFan71]

That's much better.

But like you said, D-Lo signing makes it unlikely the Mavs will want Simons.

If it's getting a big, we're back to Simons, Hauser, Tillman, and JD for Vuc and Coby.

Simons is going to BKN here. Their motivation is getting off of the future Mann money by using this year's cap space.

Mann and a pick for Dallas is not worth losing Gafford.

Bad deal for Dallas.

The extension given to Gafford is a sign Mavs value Gafford.

Yeah, they probably look to move just Martin, Powell, Hardy, Prosper type guys instead. A Dallas poster proposed it with us not sending a pick, getting Martin and Powell and saving $16.6M. I bounced the Gafford idea off him and he wasn't super interested, even if it was the 2027 first. Worth a shot.

But, from our end Gafford isn't worth more than that, so... shrug. But that's the general range of stuff I'd value for Simons. Just making it all work for all sides is the hard part.

[Hal14]

I just don't think there's a match on either side.

Boston's focus this season should be on developing younger bigs (including some we may not have on the roster yet) and losing games. It's our one season to do this. Force feed them minutes.

Al doesn't need money. He has a title. Would he like another? Sure. But that's not happening in Boston. Why go through another long season just to miss the playoffs or lose early on?

I’d be fine with this, however outside of Minot they don’t have any. My complaint has been that Brad has been negligent in the draft. The most he’s gotten out of it is multiple extra seconds, that have been used on fringe vets at the deadline. He’s had the ammunition to move up if wanted, and he’s also passed on some big men that have earned minutes during their rookie seasons.

I don't consider Minott to be a big. By "younger bigs" I assumed Fallguy meant Queta, Garza, Amari Williams and (if we sign him) Bassey..

I suppose Minott (being mainly a 4) would also get more developmental mins this season if we don't bring Al back, since Al plays the 4 quite a bit..

[Hal14]

That's much better.

But like you said, D-Lo signing makes it unlikely the Mavs will want Simons.

If it's getting a big, we're back to Simons, Hauser, Tillman, and JD for Vuc and Coby.

Simons is going to BKN here. Their motivation is getting off of the future Mann money by using this year's cap space.

Mann and a pick for Dallas is not worth losing Gafford.

Bad deal for Dallas.

The extension given to Gafford is a sign Mavs value Gafford.

Plus, with Lively coming off foot surgery and AD being made of glass (and getting old) I'm sure Dallas does not want to move Gafford.

[djFan71]

Simons is going to BKN here. Their motivation is getting off of the future Mann money by using this year's cap space.

Mann and a pick for Dallas is not worth losing Gafford.

Bad deal for Dallas.

The extension given to Gafford is a sign Mavs value Gafford.

Plus, with Lively coming off foot surgery and AD being made of glass (and getting old) I'm sure Dallas does not want to move Gafford.

It's so conflicting from DAL fans, they seem to prefer moving Gafford than PJ - whereas I'd be the exact opposite based on what you say. They have other guys to do what PJ does (including AD when healthy), but nobody to really hold down the center spot when injuries hit.

[brackdan70]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

We had Mann for a minute as well as a FRP from Atlanta and sent them to do Brooklyn.

[djFan71]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

We had Mann for a minute as well as a FRP from Atlanta and sent them to do Brooklyn.

Yep. That's the fun part. I kinda like this as well:

Hauser to ATL
Mann and Krejci to BOS
Simons and Tillman to BKN.

BKN gets off of Mann's future money clean this year with 2 expirings.
ATL adds a shooter. I have them sending Krejci back to stay under tax, but they could replace with a 2nd instead if they want to keep him.
BOS gets under the tax. If no Krejci, sign Bassey to a vet min

EDIT: could probably get another 2nd or 2 out of this framework.

[Hal14]

Mann and a pick for Dallas is not worth losing Gafford.

Bad deal for Dallas.

The extension given to Gafford is a sign Mavs value Gafford.

Plus, with Lively coming off foot surgery and AD being made of glass (and getting old) I'm sure Dallas does not want to move Gafford.

It's so conflicting from DAL fans, they seem to prefer moving Gafford than PJ - whereas I'd be the exact opposite based on what you say. They have other guys to do what PJ does (including AD when healthy), but nobody to really hold down the center spot when injuries hit.

I guess the reasoning for the mavs wanting to move Gafford rather than PJ is, you already have 1 non-shooting big (Lively) so you don't need 2 of them. Mine as well move the guy who can't shoot (Gafford) and keep the guy who can shoot (PJ).

Still, I'd want to keep the guy who can play C (Gafford), rather than the 3/4 (PJ).

So I think it makes sense for dallas to keep them both. I don't see them making anymore major moves this offseason.

[Fierce1]

For kicks to show what's possible and not end up with Kuz

BOS: Mann for Simons, Niang
BKN: Kuzma for Mann
MIL: Simons, Niang for Mann

* MIL probably owes BKN or us something, but the remaining value on Mann and Kuz is almost identical. Kuz just is 2 years instead of 3.

Celtics duck the tax at 14 players. Could flip Mann + pick later for a bench big (who would probably start...) or not.
Include X and it gives you room to sign Bassey.
Don't guarantee JD and sign Dame.


My preference is still something with DAL where we send Simons for PJ or Gafford and filler. Re-route the filler somewhere, etc. But, that's looking less feasible with the Russell signing.

We had Mann for a minute as well as a FRP from Atlanta and sent them to do Brooklyn.

Yep. That's the fun part. I kinda like this as well:

Hauser to ATL
Mann and Krejci to BOS
Simons and Tillman to BKN.

BKN gets off of Mann's future money clean this year with 2 expirings.
ATL adds a shooter. I have them sending Krejci back to stay under tax, but they could replace with a 2nd instead if they want to keep him.
BOS gets under the tax. If no Krejci, sign Bassey to a vet min

We lose both Simons and Hauser for Mann?

I don't think Brad and new ownership are that desperate.

What about moves that keeps the Cs under the 2nd apron and upgrading at the same time.

I believe if it's just about ducking the tax then Brad would have done it 2-3 weeks ago.

[Hal14]

I want to see how Simons looks on this team, in this system, around some real talent, with some real coaching and a franchise that has good culture with guys who actually want to be there and real spacing.

Simons/White/Pritchard/Tatum/Brown all on the same team, all healthy could be insanely hard to defend. Plus Niang and/or Hauser for even more shooting.

Just gotta try to find someone who can be a halfway decent starting C on a cheap contract which we might already have in house (Queta). But we have plenty of time to find that C..since Tatum will be out for like a year..

And I wouldn't do this a lot but I would try experimenting with a death lineup of Tatum as small ball 5, JB as small ball 4, white at the 3, and a Simons/Pritchard back court. And just see how it works..I feel like that would extremely hard for defenses to stop that lineup from scoring.