Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Gant]

John Hollinger

Re: Niang trade, league source tells me Jazz are getting better of Cleveland or Boston 2031 second-round pick and better of Boston or Orlando 2027 second-round pick.

[Fierce1]

You guys really think the owners will care about going under the 1st apron if the Cs are 30-20 and a 4th seed at the trade deadline?

Like I said, evaluate after 50 games.

Too soon to say it's tanking.

If the Cs are just 20-30 and just a play-in team at trade deadline then that's the time you pull the trigger on the tank.

[The Corey's]

Cut 12 mil and get under the tax completely.

Just do it. Thank me later.

Why, though?
Owners said they had to get below the 2nd apron to avoid team-building penalties. Lost four rotation players to do so.
They haven't said they need to duck the tax, and all that does is saves them money. So I'm in no rush to root for them to make that the new goal.

Because it's time to tank. There are tax implications as well but I couldn't tell you what they are.

[Celts17Pride]

You guys really think the owners will care about going under the 1st apron if the Cs are 30-20 and a 4th seed at the trade deadline?

Celtics will be below it even before the season starts.

[ddb]

Wonder why that Niang trade took so long. Folks must have been vacationing. This means they are all back. Brad still has maneuvering to do.

[Parliament10]

Bassey is still in play.
Waive Walsh.

Or better Trade Simons, for no one coming back.

[Hal14]

Read on Twitter

This was just about trimming payroll..nothing more, nothing less..

[Fierce1]

This is not rocket science.

If you're an opposing player driving in the lane, who do you think makes it more difficult to get a shot off, Niang or Boucher?

I know you're fixated on length here, but Niang weighs 20 more pounds, and I personally like trying to finish over twigs even if I get blocked some times:)

If the Cs still had KP and Luke, I would choose Niang over Boucher.

But with the loss of both KP and Luke, Cs really need some rim protection.

[redslastlaugh]

I can live with it.

John Hollinger

Re: Niang trade, league source tells me Jazz are getting better of Cleveland or Boston 2031 second-round pick and better of Boston or Orlando 2027 second-round pick.

[djFan71]

Read on Twitter

My Boy! From Montreal!!!! He is from Saint-Michel area!

Wait, what? A MrGreenRunsDeep approved big man? I'm not sure how to function in this world anymore. What if he gets dunked on?

[Fierce1]

You guys really think the owners will care about going under the 1st apron if the Cs are 30-20 and a 4th seed at the trade deadline?

Celtics will be below it even before the season starts.

I don't disagree with trading Simons.

I just don't think Brad has to absolutely do it before the season starts.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

This was just about trimming payroll..nothing more, nothing less..

How many TPE's we got now, 4?

[Celts17Pride]

If I was a betting man, I would say the odds are good that Brad Stevens gets the Celtics below the tax before the season starts. Brad will most definitely get the Celtics below the tax before the end of the season. If people don't see this then I'm sorry but you are just blind.

[jmr07019]

Getting below the first apron gives you the ability to take back more salary in a trade than you send out and to sign waived players who had a salary greater than a certain threshold. How important is that really?

I think you either get under the lux tax line entirely or you don’t worry all that much about the first apron. I wouldn’t pay a second to dump Tilman. That’s a trade you could make later if necessary. No need to burn a pick right now.

[CentralLogic]

RE Amari:

There is a new 2nd Round Pick exception, that allows teams to sign their 2nd Rounders to a 3 or 4 year deal, which includes an option (so 2+1 or 3+1), without having to use part of some other exception instead, which is what they used to have to do.

More here:
https://www.si.com/nba/raptors/toronto-raptors-see-benefit-in-new-second-round-draft-exception

Quoting the article:

"The league has carved out a new second-round pick exception: a three-year deal worth up to $5.9 million with an option in the final season or a four-year deal worth up to $8.8 million again with a player option in the final season."

[Fierce1]

If this is just about money and tanking, the Celtics absolutely DID NOT HAVE TO SIGN Boucher.

After the Niang trade, Brad could just have easily signed Amari to a regular contract.

But Brad didn't do that.

Since 2013-14, Brad has never been a tanker.

[ddb]

This is not rocket science.

If you're an opposing player driving in the lane, who do you think makes it more difficult to get a shot off, Niang or Boucher?

I know you're fixated on length here, but Niang weighs 20 more pounds, and I personally like trying to finish over twigs even if I get blocked some times:)

If the Cs still had KP and Luke, I would choose Niang over Boucher.

But with the loss of both KP and Luke, Cs really need some rim protection.

So, are you under the impression that Boucher protects the rim? Because he does not. He has more length, sure, but the big thing is he's cheaper.... But that's about it. Niang is the better player. Difference is, Boucher is cheaper and can play center. Niang more of a wing.

Celts close to getting below 1st apron. Expect another move around the edges. And then Horford re-signs.

[Fierce1]

If I was a betting man, I would say the odds are good that Brad Stevens gets the Celtics below the tax before the season starts. Brad will most definitely get the Celtics below the tax before the end of the season. If people don't see this then I'm sorry but you are just blind.

Now you're hedging.

Before the season starts or before the end of the season?

Which is it?

[Gant]

Basically what just happened is the Celtics "traded" Niang for Boucher.

They probably waited until Boucher agreed, then called up Austin Ainge and pulled the trigger on a deal that had previously been worked out.

[Fierce1]

Basically what just happened is the Celtics "traded" Niang for Boucher.

They probably waited until Boucher agreed, then called up Austin Ainge and pulled the trigger on a deal that had previously been worked out.

Bingo!