Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[canman1971]

And like I said, if it's just about the money then Simons would have been traded already.

Guess you don't believe Chisholm when he says the tax is not the primary objective.

Celtics salaries are at $208 million, Celtics salaries at the end of the year will be $188 million. Anyone expecting something different is just being foolish in my opinion. Celtics are not playing for the championship this year, they are playing to get out off the luxury tax.

You yourself said it, at the end of the year.

Is July the end of the year?

Why make bad trades in July when you have until Feb. 2026?

It kind is for me As a teacher July is my Saturday. August, while great is like Sunday; equally great but the closer to the end, reality tends to creeps up on you.

[celtics543]

Celtics salaries are at $208 million, Celtics salaries at the end of the year will be $188 million. Anyone expecting something different is just being foolish in my opinion. Celtics are not playing for the championship this year, they are playing to get out off the luxury tax.

You yourself said it, at the end of the year.

Is July the end of the year?

Why make bad trades in July when you have until Feb. 2026?

It kind is for me As a teacher July is my Saturday. August, while great is like Sunday; equally great but the closer to the end, reality tends to creeps up on you.

Fellow teacher and this analogy is the truth. We're getting late in the day on Saturday.

[31to6]

You yourself said it, at the end of the year.

Is July the end of the year?

Why make bad trades in July when you have until Feb. 2026?

It kind is for me As a teacher July is my Saturday. August, while great is like Sunday; equally great but the closer to the end, reality tends to creeps up on you.

Fellow teacher and this analogy is the truth. We're getting late in the day on Saturday.

hah, with you, my friends!
let's party
or: do more laundry:)

[redslastlaugh]

Memphis signing PF PJ Hall to a 2-way deal. PJ Hall seems like a significantly better bet to have an NBA career than Chucker Norris, much tougher, more physical and more well rounded game.

I wish Brad held off on that 2-way until we saw what guys were gonna be cap cuts. SA traded Blake Wesley to WASH for Kelly O but Washington has a numbers crunch and so Wesley got cut. Wesley is 2-way eligible and a more interesting prospect than Miles Norris as well

Read on Twitter

[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.

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.

I agree about wanting salary on the books so you have something to trade. It’s easier to win basketball games when you spend a lot on payroll vs. spending less. If the Celtics shed salary to get under the lux tax this year how do they add salary back onto the books when it’s time win? Options are limited.

If this is the route the Celtics go I will understand it but I won’t be happy about it. I’m excited to see Simons in Boston. White Simons Brown Tatum Center should put up excellent offensive numbers. I don’t care about defensive paywall stats of a young point guard on a tanking team. Trade Tilman to get under the second apron. Stretch him if you have to. That leaves Pritchard Hauser Niang Rico Hugo and draft picks to trade for a center. Should be doable especially if this years pick is in the 15-20 range.

Thats what I’m hoping for and I’m willing to play out this year and take our chances resigning Simons.

[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.

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.

Ya not the worst deal in the world. Could do worse for sure. I just want to see Simons in Boston lol. I like having a quick guard who can get into the teeth of a defense. I think it’s undersold on here how valuable that is and how it can make the game easier for everyone else including Tatum and Brown. If they trade him so be it but I’m rooting for him to at the very least get to training camp and open the year playing for the Celtics.

[cloverleaf]

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.

I agree about wanting salary on the books so you have something to trade. It’s easier to win basketball games when you spend a lot on payroll vs. spending less. If the Celtics shed salary to get under the lux tax this year how do they add salary back onto the books when it’s time win? Options are limited.

If this is the route the Celtics go I will understand it but I won’t be happy about it. I’m excited to see Simons in Boston. White Simons Brown Tatum Center should put up excellent offensive numbers. I don’t care about defensive paywall stats of a young point guard on a tanking team. Trade Tilman to get under the second apron. Stretch him if you have to. That leaves Pritchard Hauser Niang Rico Hugo and draft picks to trade for a center. Should be doable especially if this years pick is in the 15-20 range.

Thats what I’m hoping for and I’m willing to play out this year and take our chances resigning Simons.

I figure the C's don't leak this sort of thing, so it was likely the Griz or KCP's agent mentioning that the Griz at least brought him up in response to a call from the C's. Probably trying to create a market where there really isn't much of one.

[Fierce1]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

[Celts17Pride]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

You’re missing the point. You trade Simons for KCP and a pick, you save $6 million. You trade KCP at the trade deadline, you save another $4-5 million. That’s $67-75 million in savings when you consider the repeater tax. Value of the player doesn’t matter because the Celtics don’t want either player.

If the Celtics could get great value for Simons, he would be gone already.

Wouldn’t worry about it, usually once the media catches wind of it, it’s dead

[return2glory]

Simons > KCP easy.. But draft compensation?? first included then fine. But for 2nds, I will call for Brad's job. sick of 2nds that have NEVER resulted in anything.

Brad just got you a championship. So easy on that. You didn't like him as a coach and you do like him as a GM. You're a self proclaimed playa-hater. But I don't think your hate stops with players. Just an observation, not a criticism.

I didn't like that Brad traded away #32 for #46 and 57# either. I feel they could have something a solid player at 32, better than Amari and Shulga.
It seems like Kyle Filipowski is a better player and fit for Boston than Baylor and that's looking like another Brad mistake. Brad isn't close to perfect, but he is really good. Calling for his job is premature.

L o l. I am calling Brad one of the top POBO in the league.. Although I am starting to think he's just not good at drafting.. But I thought you figured out in the offSeason, many of my posts are very light Hearted and in a spirit of joking. I guess you didn't pick up on that.

Haven't read all your posts. So, no I didn't pick that up. That's good if your other posts are light hearted. Calling for Brad's job, hope that was in a joking manner too. His drafting may not be his strong point, but he has been doing great at all the other things. At the same time, as far as his drafting, most of his draft choices have been late 1sts for 2nd round picks.

[fallguy]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

You’re missing the point. You trade Simons for KCP and a pick, you save $6 million. You trade KCP at the trade deadline, you save another $4-5 million. That’s $67-75 million in savings when you consider the repeater tax. Value of the player doesn’t matter because the Celtics don’t want either player.

If the Celtics could get great value for Simons, he would be gone already.

Wouldn’t worry about it, usually once the media catches wind of it, it’s dead

Besides a nobody on twitter, did media get wind of it?

[fallguy]

It kind is for me As a teacher July is my Saturday. August, while great is like Sunday; equally great but the closer to the end, reality tends to creeps up on you.

Fellow teacher and this analogy is the truth. We're getting late in the day on Saturday.

hah, with you, my friends!
let's party
or: do more laundry:)

Thumbs up for all the teachers here. One of the great professions.

[Shak_Celts]

Season don’t start til October? Boooooo!!! Let’s get this show on the road!!!! This is what losing gets us, long offseason! No more of that!!

[Hal14]

Memphis signing PF PJ Hall to a 2-way deal. PJ Hall seems like a significantly better bet to have an NBA career than Chucker Norris, much tougher, more physical and more well rounded game.

I wish Brad held off on that 2-way until we saw what guys were gonna be cap cuts. SA traded Blake Wesley to WASH for Kelly O but Washington has a numbers crunch and so Wesley got cut. Wesley is 2-way eligible and a more interesting prospect than Miles Norris as well

Read on Twitter

2-way contracts are non-guaranteed. Norris being on a 2-way means basically nothing. He can get cut at any time, with no penalty to the team.

As for Hall vs Norris..Hall is a big. We get 3 2-way spots so it's a bit silly 2 use up 2 of those 3 spots on bigs (amari and hall would be 2 bigs on a 2-way).

Norris at least gives something unique, as a 6'9"/6'10" SF/PF who can shoot, with some decent athleticism..and not terrible defense..

I'm not super optimistic about Norris' chances of making it in the league. But I'm not losing sleep over his giving him being on a 2-way for us.

[Hal14]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

You’re missing the point. You trade Simons for KCP and a pick, you save $6 million. You trade KCP at the trade deadline, you save another $4-5 million. That’s $67-75 million in savings when you consider the repeater tax. Value of the player doesn’t matter because the Celtics don’t want either player

Jake Fischer:

"I don't think Boston is calling around trying to move Anfernee Simons right now," he added. "I just think he and his representation are very aware that the Celtics are not married to having him start the season in green and white, but they'd be very happy and willing to do so if that's the case."

https://basketnews.com/news-227846-celtics-open-to-trading-anfernee-simons.html

[Patsfan1081]

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.

In all seriousness, C's should atleast have some contingency plans to make an offer should Joker come available. Denver is so tapped out pick-wise, that they are one or two bad basketball or financial breaks away from putting Jokic on the market, and he may not want to stay in the West and he may not want to join OKC (who could beat any offer) after what happened to Durant's rep when he joined forces with the existing champion.

This is why you need to make draft picks and hit on them. If we'd taken Filipowski, if Hugo hits, and/or if we took another upside swing at #32 and signed him to a full 4yr rookie contract. Then you have assets, maybe not enough for Nikola Jokic, but you have intriguing pieces. Trading out of the top 45 and taking two guys for 2-ways like Sulga and Amari, this is not taking big swings on upside that you can then showcase during "gap" year and hopefully you have something intriguing to other teams short on cheap, exciting young chips

Not saying, we are gonna be able to trade for Jokic but saying we need to have aggressive plans to acquire out picks and take swings on rookie contract players with upside to just to take a seat at the table when deals are being made.

No knock on Brad but this is where Danny excelled at. That might be harsh as he wasn’t working with such penalties however I can’t remember Danny having consecutive bad drafts or having a string of bad acquisitions. You mentioned Filipowski, but in between him and Baylor Toronto took Mogbo, who put together a decent rookie season. Toronto seems to always hit on their later picks. They have to start getting something out of the draft.

[Fierce1]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

You’re missing the point. You trade Simons for KCP and a pick, you save $6 million. You trade KCP at the trade deadline, you save another $4-5 million. That’s $67-75 million in savings when you consider the repeater tax. Value of the player doesn’t matter because the Celtics don’t want either player.

If the Celtics could get great value for Simons, he would be gone already.

Wouldn’t worry about it, usually once the media catches wind of it, it’s dead

And why would Memphis give Boston a pick when he becomes an UFA at the end of the season?

Memphis pays Simons 27m, gives Boston a pick, and at season's end Memphis gets nothing?

Maybe it's just somebody on twitter spreading false rumors.

[Fierce1]

IMO it's easier to trade a good player with 27m remaining than a bad player with 43m remaining.

And Memphis is once again going to overpay after overpaying for Marcus Smart?

[djFan71]

IMO it's easier to trade a good player with 27m remaining than a bad player with 43m remaining.

And Memphis is once again going to overpay after overpaying for Marcus Smart?

They're paying to get off kcp. Like Orlando paid them to take him

[Celts17Pride]

There's just no way KCP will have higher trade value than Simons.

You’re missing the point. You trade Simons for KCP and a pick, you save $6 million. You trade KCP at the trade deadline, you save another $4-5 million. That’s $67-75 million in savings when you consider the repeater tax. Value of the player doesn’t matter because the Celtics don’t want either player

Jake Fischer:

"I don't think Boston is calling around trying to move Anfernee Simons right now," he added. "I just think he and his representation are very aware that the Celtics are not married to having him start the season in green and white, but they'd be very happy and willing to do so if that's the case."

https://basketnews.com/news-227846-celtics-open-to-trading-anfernee-simons.html

Hal there has already been 4-5 sets of rumors about the Celtics wanting to move Simons with the latest one being to Memphis. The Celtics do want Simons. Pretty clear.