Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Larry_Russell]

I mean 9 would have been nice, but Barrett for two years would be dumb.
Would have had to use a first to dump him.
I like Simons better as a player and definitely like the contract better. Number nine pick evens out the value for sure and maybe then some, but Celtics needed to shave salary. I get the move by Stevens….but, damn.

Barrett is a vastly superior player to simons.

Jesus man.

[Celts17Pride]

I mean 9 would have been nice, but Barrett for two years would be dumb.
Would have had to use a first to dump him.
I like Simons better as a player and definitely like the contract better. Number nine pick evens out the value for sure and maybe then some, but Celtics needed to shave salary. I get the move by Stevens….but, damn.

Barrett is a vastly superior player to simons.

Jesus man.

Barrett has an extra year on his contract which the Celtics have been trying to unload all summer. Celtics are only taking back expiring contracts, big reason why Simons hasn't been moved yet.

[brackdan70]

I mean 9 would have been nice, but Barrett for two years would be dumb.
Would have had to use a first to dump him.
I like Simons better as a player and definitely like the contract better. Number nine pick evens out the value for sure and maybe then some, but Celtics needed to shave salary. I get the move by Stevens….but, damn.

Barrett is a vastly superior player to simons.

Jesus man.

Not really. They are pretty similar in most metrics.
White is a superior player to Simons. Tatum is a vastly superior player to Simons.
Barrett might be better, but I don’t see much evidence of that.
You lose credibility when you rely on hyperbole to try and make a point.

[fallguy]

I'd probably rather have Simons than Barrett. I guess. I don't really like either guy.

[Celts17Pride]

I'd probably rather have Simons than Barrett. I guess. I don't really like either guy.

Definitely Simons because he has an expiring contract.

[165bows]

I had heard that Raps wanted off Barrett for unprofessional conduct behind the scenes. I don't know the story or whatever, but I had heard they were interested in a Jrue for RJ swap.

Pick #9 would have been nice but I can see for financial reasons why celts wouldn't do it. Whether it was Quickley or RJ Barrett, the money is a problem.

Seems so easy to 3-team that with BKN, though. They take Barrett who kinda works for them & 9 , send back like 19 & 27 or something. BOS is completely off Jrue money.

For sure. I imagine it was explored.

I thought even we could do a 3-way with Ja'Kobe Walter coming back to us, RJ going to BRK, Jrue to Toronto, I posted it on the Trade board a while back
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2439376&p=118009429&hilit=ja%27kobe#p118009429

But, obviously didn't happen ... I mean, who knows the reasoning behind the scenes... if we could have used Jrue +#28 +#32 and somehow ended up with #9 and salary cap relief, that would have been pretty sweet

Ah I hadn’t heard that about Barrett but that is more unappealing and makes sense.

On Brooklyn though just because they have space this year doesn’t mean they want to be the league’s dumpster opportunity next year as well. So it makes sense in that light.

Seems like a better move for NO though trade KO and some other expirings to Boston for Barrett/9 instead of the 2017 #1 overall for #10.

Though that trade makes more sense in light of the report that the 2017 draft potentially stinks (unless that was a rumor Dumars started lol).

[phincsfan]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

[Hal14]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

1) I think what Jake Fischer was saying is that the C's simply didn't like any of the guys in that draft range - at least not enough to make a move. Guys we could have possibly taken in that spot are like Queen, Maluach, CMB, Essengue, Carter Bryant Maybe Coward but he would have considered a bit of a reach that high (was projected to go in like the 13-22 range, Memphis reached for him)

I think maybe Boston just didn't love that group so much. At least not that high in the draft and with what we'd have to give up

2) It's just a rumor that we were offered 9 for Jrue. The clip where Bobby manning interviews Jake Fischer about it, the way Fischer words it is confusing. Like Bobby tries to confirm that Jrue was on the table and Fisher says "I think so". Like hmm, you don't sound so sure about that lol.

[redslastlaugh]

I don't understand how a team could "not like" the board of available players at pick #9.
Every draft has produced an allstar at pick 9 or later, pretty much

That reasoning sounds like when the Nets traded a top 3 protected pick to the Blazers for Gerald Wallace and the rational was the Nets thought it was "only a three player draft"

That Nets pick became #6, Blazers took Damian Lillard and Dame is top 3 Blazer of alltime and going to the HOF
not saying Celts turned down #9 for the same reason, but that's pretty profound lack of trust in your scouting that you don't think you could identify a high level prospect at #9

[Hal14]

I don't understand how a team could "not like" the board of available players at pick #9.
Every draft has produced an allstar at pick 9 or later, pretty much

That reasoning sounds like when the Nets traded a top 3 protected pick to the Blazers for Gerald Wallace and the rational was the Nets thought it was "only a three player draft"

That Nets pick became #6, Blazers took Damian Lillard and Dame is top 3 Blazer of alltime and going to the HOF
not saying Celts turned down #9 for the same reason, but that's pretty profound lack of trust in your scouting that you don't think you could identify a high level prospect at #9

I mean, this draft was fairly weak outside of the top 2 guys. Barring some outlier development for someone, I think there's a strong chance that the only stars from this draft are Flagg/Harper. And if someone else does emerge as a star, it's probably someone who was picked in that 3-8 range.

And if Lillard was the 6th pick, how does that help support your case that picks 9 or later become good?

If anything, Dame is proof that you only trade up for a pick in the top 6

[redslastlaugh]

I mean, this draft was fairly weak outside of the top 2 guys.

And if Lillard was the 6th pick, how does that help support your case that picks 9 or later become good?

If anything, Dame is proof that you only trade up for a pick in the top 6

lol... well, you got me there, lol

[Dogen]

I mean, this draft was fairly weak outside of the top 2 guys.

And if Lillard was the 6th pick, how does that help support your case that picks 9 or later become good?

If anything, Dame is proof that you only trade up for a pick in the top 6

lol... well, you got me there, lol

Hendrix covered this years ago

Watch on YouTube

[brackdan70]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

1) I think what Jake Fischer was saying is that the C's simply didn't like any of the guys in that draft range - at least not enough to make a move. Guys we could have possibly taken in that spot are like Queen, Maluach, CMB, Essengue, Carter Bryant Maybe Coward but he would have considered a bit of a reach that high (was projected to go in like the 13-22 range, Memphis reached for him)

I think maybe Boston just didn't love that group so much. At least not that high in the draft and with what we'd have to give up

2) It's just a rumor that we were offered 9 for Jrue. The clip where Bobby manning interviews Jake Fischer about it, the way Fischer words it is confusing. Like Bobby tries to confirm that Jrue was on the table and Fisher says "I think so". Like hmm, you don't sound so sure about that lol.

I think that’s fair. I would have taken a swing at Maluach, but other than that not super excited about most of those dudes. Certainly some of those guys will be solid NBA players, but who has a bigger upside than Hugo to be honest. Are these guys really in a different tier? Maybe…

[playa-hater]

If this is true, Brad should be fired on the spot..

Read on Twitter

I am too lazy to post so many thoughts I have on this right now. So I will just say I agree.

[Hal14]

Dominos starting to fall. Beal to Clips yesterday. Dame to Blazers today.

Horford signing tomorrow?

[Larry_Russell]

I mean 9 would have been nice, but Barrett for two years would be dumb.
Would have had to use a first to dump him.
I like Simons better as a player and definitely like the contract better. Number nine pick evens out the value for sure and maybe then some, but Celtics needed to shave salary. I get the move by Stevens….but, damn.

Barrett is a vastly superior player to simons.

Jesus man.

Not really. They are pretty similar in most metrics.
White is a superior player to Simons. Tatum is a vastly superior player to Simons.
Barrett might be better, but I don’t see much evidence of that.
You lose credibility when you rely on hyperbole to try and make a point.

Barret is as efficient a shooter, better rebounder better passer, better defender, bigger, younger and has more of an impact on winning.

That isnt hyperbole. Its fact.

Look at the numbers

[Larry_Russell]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

1) I think what Jake Fischer was saying is that the C's simply didn't like any of the guys in that draft range - at least not enough to make a move. Guys we could have possibly taken in that spot are like Queen, Maluach, CMB, Essengue, Carter Bryant Maybe Coward but he would have considered a bit of a reach that high (was projected to go in like the 13-22 range, Memphis reached for him)

I think maybe Boston just didn't love that group so much. At least not that high in the draft and with what we'd have to give up

2) It's just a rumor that we were offered 9 for Jrue. The clip where Bobby manning interviews Jake Fischer about it, the way Fischer words it is confusing. Like Bobby tries to confirm that Jrue was on the table and Fisher says "I think so". Like hmm, you don't sound so sure about that lol.

Then you sell off #9 for a 2026 1st.

[djFan71]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

1) I think what Jake Fischer was saying is that the C's simply didn't like any of the guys in that draft range - at least not enough to make a move. Guys we could have possibly taken in that spot are like Queen, Maluach, CMB, Essengue, Carter Bryant Maybe Coward but he would have considered a bit of a reach that high (was projected to go in like the 13-22 range, Memphis reached for him)

I think maybe Boston just didn't love that group so much. At least not that high in the draft and with what we'd have to give up

2) It's just a rumor that we were offered 9 for Jrue. The clip where Bobby manning interviews Jake Fischer about it, the way Fischer words it is confusing. Like Bobby tries to confirm that Jrue was on the table and Fisher says "I think so". Like hmm, you don't sound so sure about that lol.

Then you sell off #9 for a 2026 1st.

I hesitate to believe Jrue for 9 and Barrett was really on the table just that simple. But if it was, yeah, no-brainer to me. You can figure out a follow-up move later.

[chrisab123]

I mean 9 would have been nice, but Barrett for two years would be dumb.
Would have had to use a first to dump him.
I like Simons better as a player and definitely like the contract better. Number nine pick evens out the value for sure and maybe then some, but Celtics needed to shave salary. I get the move by Stevens….but, damn.

Barrett is a vastly superior player to simons.

Jesus man.

True but I’m not taking on that money. Raptors have some decent pieces but they’re all overpaid. At least Simons expires after this year.

People’s heads spin about not wanting the 9th pick in a crappy draft. There’s a reason why Toronto was dangling that pick. After the first few picks it was an absolute toss up on who to draft. 9th pick has a guaranteed number attached to it. No one at that point was worth paying that number plus taking on Barrett for an extra year. But I don’t think anyone is saying Simons is a better player.

[chrisab123]

Lets say it was true that the Raps offered RJ and #9 for Jrue. (I need more confirmation from insiders to say if it was true.)

That would mean the C's acquired a lottery pick while being a playoff team.

They draft whomever your heart desires because many of you had favorites that would never make it to #28. Lets say Khaman, Sorber, Coward, Clifford (he actually looks pretty good), Newell. Whomever it be, they'd be a building block. They keep Oooogo' with #28.

JB, RJ and White with a not so good frontcourt in 25/26 could lead to another lottery pick (maybe #1 because 40 years ago come June 2026 Len Bias passed and the basketball gods owe the C's something).

Now they have 2 lottery picks with a playoff season (24/25) and one bad season (25/26) before JT comes back.

I'm just an idiot and Stevens was the guy who got Butler to the finals and the C's #18, but I think with proper scouting, #9 this year and a potential lottery pick next year could have paid more dividends than worrying about having to pay RJ in 26/27. Heck, stretch him because it seems to be the thing to do now adays.

1) I think what Jake Fischer was saying is that the C's simply didn't like any of the guys in that draft range - at least not enough to make a move. Guys we could have possibly taken in that spot are like Queen, Maluach, CMB, Essengue, Carter Bryant Maybe Coward but he would have considered a bit of a reach that high (was projected to go in like the 13-22 range, Memphis reached for him)

I think maybe Boston just didn't love that group so much. At least not that high in the draft and with what we'd have to give up

2) It's just a rumor that we were offered 9 for Jrue. The clip where Bobby manning interviews Jake Fischer about it, the way Fischer words it is confusing. Like Bobby tries to confirm that Jrue was on the table and Fisher says "I think so". Like hmm, you don't sound so sure about that lol.

Then you sell off #9 for a 2026 1st.

No one was giving a 2026 1st for the 9th pick. Draft is too loaded. This draft was more or less a JAG draft after number 2 and probably will have a couple of role players and a bunch of wash outs.

Even if the Celtics get the 15-17 pick I would probably put money on that player making more of an impact than anyone in the back end of that top 10. Hell the Nets couldn’t even unload a pick in the 20s to trade back. That’s how bad this draft was.

And in the case they were stuck with the 9th pick this is what the 9th pick is paid.

Collin Murray-Boyles signed a 4 year, $28,822,764 contract with the Toronto Raptors, including $12,982,080 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,205,691.

For a team that is close to the 2nd apron at the time of tip off it’s risky to give that money to a guy who is quite possibly a bust or best case a JAG.