Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[Hal14]

Celtics have hired Drew Nicholas, evidently to replace Austin Ainge as DoPP. Thus far, has anyone seen any quotes from Brad or Drew Nicholas about the hire or has there been an introductory press conference or even an interview with Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston or other introduction in the media?

Nah..I don't think that there is typically a press conference or much fanfare/reporting for a hire like this..it's usually only if it's a POBO/GM type of hire that we get all of that.

Additionally, is there any reporting about Drew Nicholas's approach to scouting and any player transactions he is credited as supporting inside the Nuggets or Nets?

Not that I am aware of. We don't typically get reporting that gets that granular where they actually attribute certain moves to a particular member of the front office.

Any given transaction, there could be like 3-5 front office people involved, plus coaches sometimes have input, plus ownership sometimes as input, plus players sometimes have input, plus the scouts (I think teams usually have at least 2-3 scouts on staff) so that's anywhere between 3 to 16 or so people who could have input on a given transaction so it's hard to attribute a transcaction(s) to anyone one particular guy in the front office who is not the POBO/GM..

Austin Ainge just left for Utah. And Remy Cofield left the org a few months ago. So *someone* had to be hired to replace them..I don't know a lot about Nicholas but between his experience as a player (winning a national title in college, playing overseas pro ball) and as a front office exec (with Nuggets during their championship run and at Brooklyn) it seems like he's about as qualified as anyone we could have hired for that spot..

[Parliament10]

Celtics have hired Drew Nicholas, evidently to replace Austin Ainge as DoPP. Thus far, has anyone seen any quotes from Brad or Drew Nicholas about the hire or has there been an introductory press conference or even an interview with Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston or other introduction in the media?

Additionally, is there any reporting about Drew Nicholas's approach to scouting and any player transactions he is credited as supporting inside the Nuggets or Nets?

The Boston Celtics have reportedly hired Drew Nicholas as Executive Director of Player Personnel, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Per Scotto, "Nicholas spent last season as a scout for the Brooklyn Nets," and prior to that job, "he spent the prior two years as Director of Scouting for the Denver Nuggets."

Nicholas' path to the Celtics before those stops began as a player for the University of Maryland, where the Hempstead, New York native played at the NCAA level. After going unselected in the 2003 NBA draft, Nicholas played in Europe until 2012, with some stints played for higher-profile clubs like Panathinaikos and Emporio Armani Milano before becoming a scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016.

Stepping into the role played by former Celtics Director of Player Personnel Austin Ainge after his decampment to the Utah Jazz earlier this summer, the former Terrapin should be a solid option to help guide Boston in adding talent to their next contending roster.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/report-boston-celtics-hire-drew-080410522.html

This was reported awhile back, by Hal14, post #1679.

[Fierce1]

August, the dog days of the NBA.

Ugh!

[bucknersrevenge]

I'm fine with cutting Walsh loose to sign Bassey. Limited sample size, but he looked better than Queta to me. I hope it happens.

Walsh is better, younger and way more upside than Bassey.
That would be a bad move IMO.
I’d like to sign Bassey but I think you do it by trading Niang or Tillman or someone else.
Bassey tore it up in summer league….that doesn’t mean he is better than Queta.

What evidence is there that Walsh is better? He's done nothing thus far. As Gant shared, Bassey has good per 36 numbers in regular season games; better than Queta's. Eye of the beholder, but I think he looked better than Queta. I am not hell bent on getting Bassey, but I liked what I saw, and wouldn't care at all if we dumped Walsh to get him. Perfectly fine if people believe in Walsh more than I do. I haven't watched enough of Minott to know his game or potential. He's also young, and is an SF. Might he be better than Walsh? There are Walshes in the second round of any draft, imo.

Literally.

On a fully healthy Celtics roster, we have like 18 guys ahead of him. He has zero impact on our future. And there's not enough skill there to to merit keeping him over having another big to throw at the wal so to speak. Other than the Center spot, the other 4 positions are potentially locked in depending on who you see us keeping in the future. We have no known quantities at the Center spot. This year is about finding at least 1. Between Neemy, Garza, Bassey, and Amari, I'm willing to increase my chances at finding one guy that works. We can pick up another Walsh next year in the draft.

[brackdan70]

Walsh is better, younger and way more upside than Bassey.
That would be a bad move IMO.
I’d like to sign Bassey but I think you do it by trading Niang or Tillman or someone else.
Bassey tore it up in summer league….that doesn’t mean he is better than Queta.

What evidence is there that Walsh is better? He's done nothing thus far. As Gant shared, Bassey has good per 36 numbers in regular season games; better than Queta's. Eye of the beholder, but I think he looked better than Queta. I am not hell bent on getting Bassey, but I liked what I saw, and wouldn't care at all if we dumped Walsh to get him. Perfectly fine if people believe in Walsh more than I do. I haven't watched enough of Minott to know his game or potential. He's also young, and is an SF. Might he be better than Walsh? There are Walshes in the second round of any draft, imo.

Literally.

On a fully healthy Celtics roster, we have like 18 guys ahead of him. He has zero impact on our future. And there's not enough skill there to to merit keeping him over having another big to throw at the wal so to speak. Other than the Center spot, the other 4 positions are potentially locked in depending on who you see us keeping in the future. We have no known quantities at the Center spot. This year is about finding at least 1. Between Neemy, Garza, Bassey, and Amari, I'm willing to increase my chances at finding one guy that works. We can pick up another Walsh next year in the draft.

You can’t draft a 21 year old with exceptional length, solid athleticism, high upside and 2 years of pro experience in the 2nd round.
Walsh is ready for a leap given some PT. Maybe he falters, or maybe he takes a step. It’s poor asset management to waive him for a guy like Bassey.

[djFan71]

What evidence is there that Walsh is better? He's done nothing thus far. As Gant shared, Bassey has good per 36 numbers in regular season games; better than Queta's. Eye of the beholder, but I think he looked better than Queta. I am not hell bent on getting Bassey, but I liked what I saw, and wouldn't care at all if we dumped Walsh to get him. Perfectly fine if people believe in Walsh more than I do. I haven't watched enough of Minott to know his game or potential. He's also young, and is an SF. Might he be better than Walsh? There are Walshes in the second round of any draft, imo.

Literally.

On a fully healthy Celtics roster, we have like 18 guys ahead of him. He has zero impact on our future. And there's not enough skill there to to merit keeping him over having another big to throw at the wal so to speak. Other than the Center spot, the other 4 positions are potentially locked in depending on who you see us keeping in the future. We have no known quantities at the Center spot. This year is about finding at least 1. Between Neemy, Garza, Bassey, and Amari, I'm willing to increase my chances at finding one guy that works. We can pick up another Walsh next year in the draft.

You can’t draft a 21 year old with exceptional length, solid athleticism, high upside and 2 years of pro experience in the 2nd round.
Walsh is ready for a leap given some PT. Maybe he falters, or maybe he takes a step. It’s poor asset management to waive him for a guy like Bassey.

Yeah, put me in the pro-Walsh camp as well. But, it's a make or break season for him - he has to earn time. Against Hauser, Minott, Niang, etc. And prove he's still worthy of it when Tatum is back. But, I think he has a chance. I wouldn't dump him just for Bassey. Tillman's the guy to dump.

Ideal world is you dump Simons and take only one player back (3rd team gets rest of salary, paid with assets by Simons' new team). Or 2 back and dump Tillman in the process.

[Bad-Thoma]

Literally.

On a fully healthy Celtics roster, we have like 18 guys ahead of him. He has zero impact on our future. And there's not enough skill there to to merit keeping him over having another big to throw at the wal so to speak. Other than the Center spot, the other 4 positions are potentially locked in depending on who you see us keeping in the future. We have no known quantities at the Center spot. This year is about finding at least 1. Between Neemy, Garza, Bassey, and Amari, I'm willing to increase my chances at finding one guy that works. We can pick up another Walsh next year in the draft.

You can’t draft a 21 year old with exceptional length, solid athleticism, high upside and 2 years of pro experience in the 2nd round.
Walsh is ready for a leap given some PT. Maybe he falters, or maybe he takes a step. It’s poor asset management to waive him for a guy like Bassey.

Yeah, put me in the pro-Walsh camp as well. But, it's a make or break season for him - he has to earn time. Against Hauser, Minott, Niang, etc. And prove he's still worthy of it when Tatum is back. But, I think he has a chance. I wouldn't dump him just for Bassey. Tillman's the guy to dump.

Ideal world is you dump Simons and take only one player back (3rd team gets rest of salary, paid with assets by Simons' new team). Or 2 back and dump Tillman in the process.

Bassey is starting to feel like this year's Lonnie Walker (to be fair I like both of them as well). Bassey looked good in summer league for sure but he's 24, he SHOULD look good in summer league, there's probably a reason that all 30 teams are passing on him. If we can dump Tillman I'm all aboard but I certainly wouldn't dump Walsh for him. I'm probably higher on Walsh's long term upside than a lot of people here are, my hope is for the 23-24 version of Herb Jones: a fantastic defender that is capable of hitting some open shots at an efficient clip.

IB4 we get bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year and someone posts, "If we had just signed Bassey his rebounding probably would have won us a couple of playoff games," while Bassey is playing in the Euroleague.

[Parliament10]

You can’t draft a 21 year old with exceptional length, solid athleticism, high upside and 2 years of pro experience in the 2nd round.
Walsh is ready for a leap given some PT. Maybe he falters, or maybe he takes a step. It’s poor asset management to waive him for a guy like Bassey.

Yeah, put me in the pro-Walsh camp as well. But, it's a make or break season for him - he has to earn time. Against Hauser, Minott, Niang, etc. And prove he's still worthy of it when Tatum is back. But, I think he has a chance. I wouldn't dump him just for Bassey. Tillman's the guy to dump.

Ideal world is you dump Simons and take only one player back (3rd team gets rest of salary, paid with assets by Simons' new team). Or 2 back and dump Tillman in the process.

Bassey is starting to feel like this year's Lonnie Walker (to be fair I like both of them as well). Bassey looked good in summer league for sure but he's 24, he SHOULD look good in summer league, there's probably a reason that all 30 teams are passing on him. If we can dump Tillman I'm all aboard but I certainly wouldn't dump Walsh for him. I'm probably higher on Walsh's long term upside than a lot of people here are, my hope is for the 23-24 version of Herb Jones: a fantastic defender that is capable of hitting some open shots at an efficient clip.

IB4 we get bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year and someone posts, "If we had just signed Bassey his rebounding probably would have won us a couple of playoff games," while Bassey is playing in the Euroleague.

Walsh has had less involvement, and has shown far less, than Queta. Tillman has even shown more, than Walsh.
I'm not so sure, that if we Traded Simons & Niang, that Walsh wouldn't get cut, still.

Walsh is young. He's also still eligible for a Two-Way. Not necessarily advocating this route. But, Walsh could get cut, and take his $200K elsewhere. -- And, if no one picks him up, then the Celtics could offer him one of our 3 x Two-Way spots.

Walsh has not made enough of an impression, to warrant not being cut, against most of the potential Roster.

[Hal14]

Yeah, put me in the pro-Walsh camp as well. But, it's a make or break season for him - he has to earn time. Against Hauser, Minott, Niang, etc. And prove he's still worthy of it when Tatum is back. But, I think he has a chance. I wouldn't dump him just for Bassey. Tillman's the guy to dump.

Ideal world is you dump Simons and take only one player back (3rd team gets rest of salary, paid with assets by Simons' new team). Or 2 back and dump Tillman in the process.

Bassey is starting to feel like this year's Lonnie Walker (to be fair I like both of them as well). Bassey looked good in summer league for sure but he's 24, he SHOULD look good in summer league, there's probably a reason that all 30 teams are passing on him. If we can dump Tillman I'm all aboard but I certainly wouldn't dump Walsh for him. I'm probably higher on Walsh's long term upside than a lot of people here are, my hope is for the 23-24 version of Herb Jones: a fantastic defender that is capable of hitting some open shots at an efficient clip.

IB4 we get bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year and someone posts, "If we had just signed Bassey his rebounding probably would have won us a couple of playoff games," while Bassey is playing in the Euroleague.

Walsh has had less involvement, and has shown far less, than Queta. Tillman has even shown more, than Walsh.
I'm not so sure, that if we Traded Simons & Niang, that Walsh wouldn't get cut, still.

Walsh is young. He's also still eligible for a Two-Way. Not necessarily advocating this route. But, Walsh could get cut, and take his $200K elsewhere. -- And, if no one picks him up, then the Celtics could offer him one of our 3 x Two-Way spots.

Walsh has not made enough of an impression, to warrant not being cut, against most of the potential Roster.

That's just not something that anybody does. Waive a guy from a standard contract..and then sign that same player to a 2-way.

I highly doubt that has ever happened.

It's a slap in the face to that player to essentially demote them to a less contract with much less pay..especially a guy who you drafted and has worked his butt off to get better and just had a good summer league.

If we waive him, that's it. We wouldn't bring him back.

It also doesn't make any sense to say he hasn't shown as much as Queta or Tillman. Walsh is like 5 years younger than both of those guys..he was drafted 2 years later than Queta and 3 years later than Tillman..it's comparing apples to oranges.

[Gant]

Stats for some centers last season, per 36 minutes:

Porzingis: 24.3 points, 8.4 rebs, 1.9 blocks
Horford: 11.7 points, 8.0 rebs, 1.1 blocks
Kornet: 11.7 points, 10.3 rebs, 1.9 blocks
Queta: 12.9 points, 9.8 rebs, 1.8 blocks
Bassey: 15 points, 14.6 rebs, 2.9 blocks
Garza: 22.7 points, 8.9 rebs, 0.5 blocks

not a center, but per 36 minutes last season:
Boucher: 21 points, 9.4 rebs, 1.0 blocks

I really like Boucher.

[Parliament10]

Bassey is starting to feel like this year's Lonnie Walker (to be fair I like both of them as well). Bassey looked good in summer league for sure but he's 24, he SHOULD look good in summer league, there's probably a reason that all 30 teams are passing on him. If we can dump Tillman I'm all aboard but I certainly wouldn't dump Walsh for him. I'm probably higher on Walsh's long term upside than a lot of people here are, my hope is for the 23-24 version of Herb Jones: a fantastic defender that is capable of hitting some open shots at an efficient clip.

IB4 we get bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year and someone posts, "If we had just signed Bassey his rebounding probably would have won us a couple of playoff games," while Bassey is playing in the Euroleague.

Walsh has had less involvement, and has shown far less, than Queta. Tillman has even shown more, than Walsh.
I'm not so sure, that if we Traded Simons & Niang, that Walsh wouldn't get cut, still.

Walsh is young. He's also still eligible for a Two-Way. Not necessarily advocating this route. But, Walsh could get cut, and take his $200K elsewhere. -- And, if no one picks him up, then the Celtics could offer him one of our 3 x Two-Way spots.

Walsh has not made enough of an impression, to warrant not being cut, against most of the potential Roster.

That's just not something that anybody does. Waive a guy from a standard contract..and then sign that same player to a 2-way.

I highly doubt that has ever happened.

It's a slap in the face to that player to essentially demote them to a less contract with much less pay..especially a guy who you drafted and has worked his butt off to get better and just had a good summer league.

If we waive him, that's it. We wouldn't bring him back.

It also doesn't make any sense to say he hasn't shown as much as Queta or Tillman. Walsh is like 5 years younger than both of those guys..he was drafted 2 years later than Queta and 3 years later than Tillman..it's comparing apples to oranges.

Hal, we gotta make some changes to the Roster.



Stay Tuned . . .

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[Gant]

TSN Raptors writer ‪Josh Lewenberg:‬

Good for Chris. A guaranteed deal and a great landing spot on a depleted Celtics team that's going to need his size, shooting and experience.

The last remaining piece of Toronto's 2019 championship team has officially moved on. Scottie Barnes is now the longest tenured Raptor.

Boucher fell out of the rotation late last season, which was mutually beneficial: Raptors could audition younger guys & tank, Chris didn't have to risk injury ahead of free agency. But not to be overlooked: he was awesome before that, playing the best ball of his career in Year 8.

[Parliament10]

Our Summer League guy?
Did he even play?

Time to Update, if he did sign.

Yeah, Aaron Scott is exhibit 10:



1 spot left..and still 2 months left to fill that 1 spot..

Thanks Hal, and darrendaye, for Updating.
I think that we'll see more spots open up. Not so sure about some of these players remaining on the Team.

As for Exhibit 10's.:
Teams can have up to 6 x Exhibit-10's, at a time.
They can go over that limit, if they Waive Ex-10's and then bring more in.

Ex-10's can be Converted to Two-Ways, by the Beginning of the Regular Season.
They used to have to become Two-Ways first, and then be further Converted to a Regular NBA Contract.
(I'm not sure if they can go straight to an NBA Contract, now?)

Exhibit 10's, who become Affiliates with a Team's G League counterpart earn $85K, after 60 Days with the Team.

So, Niang is OUT, replaced by Boucher.
And Amari is OUT (ATM) filled by Luis, Jr.

So, we still have the 15th NBA Regular Contract in play.
I think that more changes are coming.

1) Simons will get Traded.
2) Walsh may be Waived.
3) Bassey may be Signed.
4) And we have 3 Two-Ways filled (ATM). But 4 players vying.

[Bill Lumbergh]

The dog days of August have turned into a wow day... sort of. Like rust, Brad never sleeps.

I like the moves. Boucher will be helpful. Even got an 8.2M TPE, and that much further below the second apron. Nice work. Opens up possibilities. Brad is just so good at his job.

[Parliament10]

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[bucknersrevenge]

What evidence is there that Walsh is better? He's done nothing thus far. As Gant shared, Bassey has good per 36 numbers in regular season games; better than Queta's. Eye of the beholder, but I think he looked better than Queta. I am not hell bent on getting Bassey, but I liked what I saw, and wouldn't care at all if we dumped Walsh to get him. Perfectly fine if people believe in Walsh more than I do. I haven't watched enough of Minott to know his game or potential. He's also young, and is an SF. Might he be better than Walsh? There are Walshes in the second round of any draft, imo.

Literally.

On a fully healthy Celtics roster, we have like 18 guys ahead of him. He has zero impact on our future. And there's not enough skill there to to merit keeping him over having another big to throw at the wal so to speak. Other than the Center spot, the other 4 positions are potentially locked in depending on who you see us keeping in the future. We have no known quantities at the Center spot. This year is about finding at least 1. Between Neemy, Garza, Bassey, and Amari, I'm willing to increase my chances at finding one guy that works. We can pick up another Walsh next year in the draft.

You can’t draft a 21 year old with exceptional length, solid athleticism, high upside and 2 years of pro experience in the 2nd round.
Walsh is ready for a leap given some PT. Maybe he falters, or maybe he takes a step. It’s poor asset management to waive him for a guy like Bassey.

Obviously you literally can't draft a guy with 2 years of experience but the rest, guys like that are drafted all the time. Walsh is ready for a leap the same way JD was ready for a leap and at least JD won a G-League MVP. In a league driven by athletic wings, guys like Walsh are all over the place. Cut him. Save the money. Get someone else.

[Parliament10]

Bassey is starting to feel like this year's Lonnie Walker (to be fair I like both of them as well). Bassey looked good in summer league for sure but he's 24, he SHOULD look good in summer league, there's probably a reason that all 30 teams are passing on him. If we can dump Tillman I'm all aboard but I certainly wouldn't dump Walsh for him. I'm probably higher on Walsh's long term upside than a lot of people here are, my hope is for the 23-24 version of Herb Jones: a fantastic defender that is capable of hitting some open shots at an efficient clip.

IB4 we get bounced in the first round of the playoffs this year and someone posts, "If we had just signed Bassey his rebounding probably would have won us a couple of playoff games," while Bassey is playing in the Euroleague.

Walsh has had less involvement, and has shown far less, than Queta. Tillman has even shown more, than Walsh.
I'm not so sure, that if we Traded Simons & Niang, that Walsh wouldn't get cut, still.

Walsh is young. He's also still eligible for a Two-Way. Not necessarily advocating this route. But, Walsh could get cut, and take his $200K elsewhere. -- And, if no one picks him up, then the Celtics could offer him one of our 3 x Two-Way spots.

Walsh has not made enough of an impression, to warrant not being cut, against most of the potential Roster.

That's just not something that anybody does. Waive a guy from a standard contract..and then sign that same player to a 2-way.

I highly doubt that has ever happened.

It's a slap in the face to that player to essentially demote them to a less contract with much less pay..especially a guy who you drafted and has worked his butt off to get better and just had a good summer league.

If we waive him, that's it. We wouldn't bring him back.

It also doesn't make any sense to say he hasn't shown as much as Queta or Tillman. Walsh is like 5 years younger than both of those guys..he was drafted 2 years later than Queta and 3 years later than Tillman..it's comparing apples to oranges.

Obviously you don't know, that NBA players have been Waived and placed on Two Ways.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, Moses Brown, John Butler. Others have been Waived and Signed Two-Ways with other Teams.

[Hal14]

Walsh has had less involvement, and has shown far less, than Queta. Tillman has even shown more, than Walsh.
I'm not so sure, that if we Traded Simons & Niang, that Walsh wouldn't get cut, still.

Walsh is young. He's also still eligible for a Two-Way. Not necessarily advocating this route. But, Walsh could get cut, and take his $200K elsewhere. -- And, if no one picks him up, then the Celtics could offer him one of our 3 x Two-Way spots.

Walsh has not made enough of an impression, to warrant not being cut, against most of the potential Roster.

That's just not something that anybody does. Waive a guy from a standard contract..and then sign that same player to a 2-way.

I highly doubt that has ever happened.

It's a slap in the face to that player to essentially demote them to a less contract with much less pay..especially a guy who you drafted and has worked his butt off to get better and just had a good summer league.

If we waive him, that's it. We wouldn't bring him back.

It also doesn't make any sense to say he hasn't shown as much as Queta or Tillman. Walsh is like 5 years younger than both of those guys..he was drafted 2 years later than Queta and 3 years later than Tillman..it's comparing apples to oranges.

Obviously you don't know, that NBA players have been Waived and placed on Two Ways.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, Moses Brown, John Butler. Others have been Waived and Signed Two-Ways with other Teams.

I'm not talking about getting waived by team A and then signing a 2-way with Team B.

That's not the scenario you proposed.

You proposed that way take a guy we drafted, who's been on a standard contract for 2 full seasons, waive him and place him on a 2-way.

To my knowledge, that has never happened in NBA history.

Moses Brown was the opposite. He was undrafted, then signed a 2-way with OKC..then they converted him from his 2-way to a multi-year standard contract.

John Butler was undrafted. After being undrafted, signed an exhibit 10 deal with Pels, then converted that to a 2-way. Then they waived him. Then he signed a 2-way with Blazers, then got waived. Then signed a 2-way with Wizards, then got waived.

Kostas was drafted 60th pick in the draft, signed a 2-way with the Mavs, then they waived him. Then he signed a 2-way with the Lakers, then got wiaved. Then signed a 2-way with the Bulls, then got waived.

None of these situations are similar to what you proposed we should do with Walsh.

Again, it would be a slap in the face to Walsh to make a move like that and essentially demote him to a worse contract, that pays significantly less $, especially after he just had a good SL performance..

[Ben-N1ce]

Tatum is walking around Patriots practice no boot or anything.

[Parliament10]

Tatum is walking around Patriots practice no boot or anything.

Yep. Not too bouncy.
But, no boot.

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