Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Bill Lumbergh]

I suppose that matters to Bill. I misinterpreted and thought you were saying we'd escape repeater penalties with this trade rather than just simply saving money. Understood now.

If the Celtics can get under the $189 luxury tax line this year (which I believe is Stevens goal) then the repeater tax will reset and the Celtics can spend as much as they like when Tatum comes back in 2026/2027.

It has to be 2 straight seasons for the repeater to reset.

Remember, you're a repeater if you go over the 22% threshold in 3 out of 4 seasons.

Oh, then I guess anyone not named Bill's Checkbook shouldn't give a crap about avoiding the thing this year.

[Fierce1]

If the Celtics can get under the $189 luxury tax line this year (which I believe is Stevens goal) then the repeater tax will reset and the Celtics can spend as much as they like when Tatum comes back in 2026/2027.

It has to be 2 straight seasons for the repeater to reset.

Remember, you're a repeater if you go over the 22% threshold in 3 out of 4 seasons.

Oh, then I guess anyone not named Bill's Checkbook shouldn't give a crap about avoiding the thing this year.

That's why I keep saying wait until trade deadline to make the final decision.

If the Cs are just 20-30 after 50 games, at trade deadline, trade Simons and do a soft tank.

Attach a pick if you have to.

That will take the Cs below 189m and the Cs will end up with a lottery pick.

But it's a different story if the Cs are 30-20 after 50 games.

[redslastlaugh]

yea, I doubt this trade would include a first round pick.
Memphis has a best of 2026 second round pick that includes our own BOS 2nd rounder
A trade like this, Im thinking one 2nd rounder or perhaps two 2nd rounders
(but no firsts, especially dealing with Memphis who's still pissed they overpaid us for Marcus Smart)

If the C's got a 26' 1st for Simons plus their own lottery pick , there's gonna be at least six 26' draft threads leading up to draft night

[celtxman]

People need to understand, this year is all about the money. Money decisions are on the menu for 2025/2026. Basketball decisions will be in 2026/2027.

I give Brad a lot of leeway here. One thing can lead to the next. But on the surface taking bad money back when they would be out of Simons contract doesn't make sense.

[WeLikeOurGuys]

People need to understand, this year is all about the money. Money decisions are on the menu for 2025/2026. Basketball decisions will be in 2026/2027.

I give Brad a lot of leeway here. One thing can lead to the next. But on the surface taking bad money back when they would be out of Simons contract doesn't make sense.

You can't just let contracts walk out the door for nothing. If KCP opts in, his $21 million salary becomes a valuable trade chip next summer.

[redslastlaugh]

Thats true but if we just let him walk, I'm pretty sure that gives us access to the full non-tax payer mid level exception which will be $15 million which is a lesser amount for sure, but we'd still be able to get somebody good. Plus we could do a s&t with most teams using Simons or Queta or Niang etc

People need to understand, this year is all about the money. Money decisions are on the menu for 2025/2026. Basketball decisions will be in 2026/2027.

I give Brad a lot of leeway here. One thing can lead to the next. But on the surface taking bad money back when they would be out of Simons contract doesn't make sense.

You can't just let contracts walk out the door for nothing. If KCP opts in, his $21 million salary becomes a valuable trade chip next summer.

[darrendaye]

Thats true but if we just let him walk, I'm pretty sure that gives us access to the full non-tax payer mid level exception which will be $15 million which is a lesser amount for sure, but we'd still be able to get somebody good. Plus we could do a s&t with most teams using Simons or Queta or Niang etc

I give Brad a lot of leeway here. One thing can lead to the next. But on the surface taking bad money back when they would be out of Simons contract doesn't make sense.

You can't just let contracts walk out the door for nothing. If KCP opts in, his $21 million salary becomes a valuable trade chip next summer.

They can't bring in Jokic in 2026 to pair with the Jays that way, they can by pairing White's and Caldwell-Pope's contracts. Not that there's a chance, but should there be, you'd be prepared.

[colincb]

KCP would be a better fit, as he has been an excellent defender during his career, and Simon isn't even close to being passable. As for his offense, he was the best 3-point shooter on the Magic by far (ORL was 30th in 3-point percentage and thus likely had a target on his back during the season, especially in our series). Simons isn't likely to be a good defender, even with us, given his slight build. KCP had a much better net rating than Simons last year, and Simons has a career rating of 112 O vs 120 D, which is brutal. If KCP was on a one-year deal, I'd drive Simons to the airport. As it stands, I'd still make the deal, cut Davision, and return to Al with a two-year contract. Denver has its center, and GSW isn't winning just because Al shows up.

[redslastlaugh]

Thats true but if we just let him walk, I'm pretty sure that gives us access to the full non-tax payer mid level exception which will be $15 million which is a lesser amount for sure, but we'd still be able to get somebody good. Plus we could do a s&t with most teams using Simons or Queta or Niang etc

You can't just let contracts walk out the door for nothing. If KCP opts in, his $21 million salary becomes a valuable trade chip next summer.

They can't bring in Jokic in 2026 to pair with the Jays that way, they can by pairing White's and Caldwell-Pope's contracts. Not that there's a chance, but should there be, you'd be prepared.

White, KCP, picks for Jokic to team with the Jays

yes, we're doing that

Watch on YouTube

[djFan71]

3 team it with KCP and MEM picks to LAL, Rui to Cs. Simons and Shake to MEM.
Not sure what LAL room under the apron is after Smart, but pretty sure they need to lose Milton for the roster spot eventually.

[Fierce1]

Brother Rui makes more sense than KCP.

[djFan71]

Brother Rui makes more sense than KCP.

Just need it to make sense for LA, lol.
Would really only be for the picks and then use those with their expiring deals to upgrade another way.

[jfs1000d]

KCP would be a better fit, as he has been an excellent defender during his career, and Simon isn't even close to being passable. As for his offense, he was the best 3-point shooter on the Magic by far (ORL was 30th in 3-point percentage and thus likely had a target on his back during the season, especially in our series). Simons isn't likely to be a good defender, even with us, given his slight build. KCP had a much better net rating than Simons last year, and Simons has a career rating of 112 O vs 120 D, which is brutal. If KCP was on a one-year deal, I'd drive Simons to the airport. As it stands, I'd still make the deal, cut Davision, and return to Al with a two-year contract. Denver has its center, and GSW isn't winning just because Al shows up.

Just no thanks. Too old, and has a player option. If he was on a one year deal I do it, but wouldn't want him back or affecting who they can trade for in summer in of 26.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BillessuR6]

KCP is done... No interest in this unless Brad can retrade him for a guy making less down the road to get us out of tax, which I doubt.

Sent from my SM-A536B using RealGM mobile app

[dortmunder]

Simons, tillman
KCP, GG Jackson, some second round pick
Do it!!!!

[Fierce1]

Simons, tillman
KCP, GG Jackson, some second round pick
Do it!!!!

No!

[jfs1000d]

KCP would be a better fit, as he has been an excellent defender during his career, and Simon isn't even close to being passable. As for his offense, he was the best 3-point shooter on the Magic by far (ORL was 30th in 3-point percentage and thus likely had a target on his back during the season, especially in our series). Simons isn't likely to be a good defender, even with us, given his slight build. KCP had a much better net rating than Simons last year, and Simons has a career rating of 112 O vs 120 D, which is brutal. If KCP was on a one-year deal, I'd drive Simons to the airport. As it stands, I'd still make the deal, cut Davision, and return to Al with a two-year contract. Denver has its center, and GSW isn't winning just because Al shows up.

Next year doesn't matter. Do we want kcp for 2026-27? That's the question. Can we get better player than KCP in 26-27 by standing pay with Simons? Or is KCP the best we can do.

We can trade Simon's at deadline, can let him walk next June, can resign him to a deal that makes sense.

Simon's is better than KCP. Not sure Simons fits what we are doing defensively, and that's a major issue in winning. Teams .

I would pass unless we also can get out from under KCP for next offseason.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jmr07019]

KCP will be 34 by the time the 2027 playoffs start. He is not the answer. Basketball is a young man’s game. This is especially true for the defensive minded, hustle, energy role playing guard.

[Dogen]

KCP will be 34 by the time the 2027 playoffs start. He is not the answer. Basketball is a young man’s game. This is especially true for the defensive minded, hustle, energy role playing guard.

I don't mind that he's 34 in 2027 if the role is basically a 3-D wing player. Hi shooting was down in ORL, but he got a lot of attention on the perimeter as they didn't have a lot of shooters to rotate on the perimeter. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be that Posey/House/Cassell vet role in 2026-27. His D is still decent, and he could be clutch of the bench.

And, while he's no Jrue or Dame, he's a few years younger than those guys, with a lite blend of Dame's shooting and Jrue's D.

And, although not a great contract, he saves money over Simons.

So I'm interested, but still kicking the tires. What else is in the deal. A future first from MEM?

Memphis seems like a good trade partner, but I understand that due to cap restrictions, Celtics are still hampered in doing multi-player deals. It may take another trade like this in order for Brad to really get to work.

Yes, Simons is the better player overall, but I agree with the sentiment that KCP is the better fit here. He can start or come of bench, fits well with Pritchard, White, Brown and Hauser, as well as a experienced presence with the Ricos, Gonzos, Walshes of the world.

[darrendaye]

KCP will be 34 by the time the 2027 playoffs start. He is not the answer. Basketball is a young man’s game. This is especially true for the defensive minded, hustle, energy role playing guard.

I'm not looking for a 2026 answer, it's the options his cap number can provide in trade that year to bring in a 2026 answer. Hauser will be the only 10mm+ contract on the books beyond the "big 3." It's not easy to find a contract with 2 years left between 12-20mm per year around the league. Brad frequently mentions flexibility as a goal to retooling the roster. A cap slot available to match contracts in trade provides that.

Others that theoretically fit that category are Brandon Clarke or old friend Grant Williams and certainly you can find a few more if you scour long enough, but there aren't plenty, and fewer of those likely to be available.