Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[phincsfan]

Who do you think wins if it's a team of 5 Ben Simmons vs. a team of 5 Anfernee Simons?

There will be a point during that game where it's 5 on 4

[Dogen]

Stevens not doing JB any favors with the supporting cast he surrounded him with. Gimpy JT, Boucher, Hugsie, etc?!

Can’t wait for all the “the Celtics will surprise a lot of people” articles during training camp.

I think those stories will be a thing, and maybe not unfounded. Can the team still sign Horford, maybe move Tillman and another player? Big IF Tatum can return in 2026, but basically ending up with this team in March:

Horford
Tatum
Brown
White
Pritchard

w/Simons, Hauser as 6th-7th men for scoring punch

Boucher, Queta Garza, some size off the bench

Scheierman as the utility ball habdler, scorer when needed.

Walsh, Minott, Hugo the hungry younguns.

[Fierce1]

Everyone keeps talking offense, offense, offense and completely ignores the Celtics unit of Pritchard, White, Brown, Hauser, Simons, Scheierman, Boucher, Queta, Garza etc. is going to be the worst defensive team the Celtics have had in a decade. 38 wins if everyone stays healthy.

Pacers were never a defensive team last season and they made it to the Finals.

They ended up with 50 wins even if they're giving up 115 ppg last season.

50 wins is not that many and overwhelmingly frequently not a title contender

We're just talking regular season here.

[Fierce1]

The NBA has become unpredictable as of late.

Cs weren't expected to make the Finals in 2022.

Miami got in the Finals as an 8th seed in 2023.

Mavs were the surprise Finals team in 2024.

And we all know Indy's amazing run this season.

[Celts17Pride]

Read on Twitter

Thankfully it looks like the Celtics won't have to play any 4 on 5 offense this year.

[165bows]

Stevens not doing JB any favors with the supporting cast he surrounded him with. Gimpy JT, Boucher, Hugsie, etc?!

Can’t wait for all the “the Celtics will surprise a lot of people” articles during training camp.

I think those stories will be a thing, and maybe not unfounded. Can the team still sign Horford, maybe move Tillman and another player? Big IF Tatum can return in 2026, but basically ending up with this team in March:

Horford
Tatum
Brown
White
Pritchard

w/Simons, Hauser as 6th-7th men for scoring punch

Boucher, Queta Garza, some size off the bench

Scheierman as the utility ball habdler, scorer when needed.

Walsh, Minott, Hugo the hungry younguns.

Doesn't sound like Tatum's playing this year at all. That team would be competitive but not in the cards.

[Fierce1]

Never believed Simmons to Cs because Simmons just doesn't fit in with the Cs.

[Fierce1]

Stevens not doing JB any favors with the supporting cast he surrounded him with. Gimpy JT, Boucher, Hugsie, etc?!

Can’t wait for all the “the Celtics will surprise a lot of people” articles during training camp.

I think those stories will be a thing, and maybe not unfounded. Can the team still sign Horford, maybe move Tillman and another player? Big IF Tatum can return in 2026, but basically ending up with this team in March:

Horford
Tatum
Brown
White
Pritchard

w/Simons, Hauser as 6th-7th men for scoring punch

Boucher, Queta Garza, some size off the bench

Scheierman as the utility ball habdler, scorer when needed.

Walsh, Minott, Hugo the hungry younguns.

Doesn't sound like Tatum's playing this year at all. That team would be competitive but not in the cards.

Guess you have not read the articles about why Tatum can return this season.

[ddb]

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.

Correct. They will not be tanking for those who want them to. They will look to win and be firmly in the playoffs.
Only chance we see a tank job is if JB or White go down for an extended period. At which point if they fall far enough behind, I could see the C's shutting down JB or White and just punting entirely on the season.

[Celts17Pride]

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.

Correct. They will not be tanking for those who want them to. They will look to win and be firmly in the playoffs.
Only chance we see a tank job is if JB or White go down for an extended period. At which point if they fall far enough behind, I could see the C's shutting down JB or White and just punting entirely on the season.

Celtics don't tank. I've been a fan since 1976 and there has only been one time that the Celtics have tanked and that was with ML Carr and they were tanking for Tim Duncan. There is a difference though with a team not having enough talent to win. Stevens has given the Celtics a chance and they could surprise but this Celtics team as currently constructed is a high 30's win team. The new Atlanta Hawks.

[165bows]

I think those stories will be a thing, and maybe not unfounded. Can the team still sign Horford, maybe move Tillman and another player? Big IF Tatum can return in 2026, but basically ending up with this team in March:

Horford
Tatum
Brown
White
Pritchard

w/Simons, Hauser as 6th-7th men for scoring punch

Boucher, Queta Garza, some size off the bench

Scheierman as the utility ball habdler, scorer when needed.

Walsh, Minott, Hugo the hungry younguns.

Doesn't sound like Tatum's playing this year at all. That team would be competitive but not in the cards.

Guess you have not read the articles about why Tatum can return this season.

Not to spoon feed but that's what the sauces say idk what else to tell you

[phincsfan]

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.

Correct. They will not be tanking for those who want them to. They will look to win and be firmly in the playoffs.
Only chance we see a tank job is if JB or White go down for an extended period. At which point if they fall far enough behind, I could see the C's shutting down JB or White and just punting entirely on the season.

Celtics don't tank. I've been a fan since 1976 and there has only been one time that the Celtics have tanked and that was with ML Carr and they were tanking for Tim Duncan. There is a difference though with a team not having enough talent to win. Stevens has given the Celtics a chance and they could surprise but this Celtics team as currently constructed is a high 30's win team. The new Atlanta Hawks.

2024 Hawks? 36 wins and they steal the 1st pick with 3% odds

[Celts17Pride]

Doesn't sound like Tatum's playing this year at all. That team would be competitive but not in the cards.

Guess you have not read the articles about why Tatum can return this season.

Not to spoon feed but that's what the sauces say idk what else to tell you

Tatum won't be back this year. Makes zero sense. Maybe a late season cameo in the last half dozen games, but I even doubt that.

[canman1971]

Who do you think wins if it's a team of 5 Ben Simmons vs. a team of 5 Anfernee Simons?

There will be a point during that game where it's 5 on 4

Watch on YouTube

[Hal14]

Boucher's career PER, rebounds per 36, ORating, and Net Rating are significantly better than Niang's. His defensive stats are better, too.

Boucher's not just cheaper, but is a better player and a better fit. He's a plus player, unlike Niang (or Simons).

As I just said 2 pages back:

Spoiler:

You have to take impact stats with a grain of salt when it comes to role players..they matter but not very much..they also are dependent on external factors, like how good their teammates were, the system/scheme they were in, the way their coach used them, etc.

Also, we have to factor context in here. For example, Boucher was on the same team for the past 7 years. Niang meanwhile has bounced around from team to team. That makes a difference. When you're brand new to a team, it typically takes awhile like a half a season, if not more) to get used to your new team, to get fully ramp'd up, learn the system, learn how your new teammates like to play, etc.

Last season Niang was on a new team (CLE) and just when he was getting used to it, he gets moved to ATL, where he has to start all over again and learn another new team..that impacts your numbers. Much easier for a guy to have good stats when he stays on the same team for 7 years, as Boucher did.

Bottom line, they're both bench players..both a decent 8th man in the rotation..both 32 yrs old..overall ability-wise, they're in the same ballpark..which one is better is a matter of preference, it's basically splitting hairs.

But Boucher has a much cheaper contract, so he's here.

Also, nobody really uses PER anymore. Not sure what you mean by "Defensive stats" but most defensive stats are misleading. You really gotta watch film to see how good a defender someone is..Boucher is a better defender than Niang but not by a huge margin imo.

Stats like ORating and Net Rating are moreso just team stats..they don't tell much if used as an individual stat.

Rebounding, sure Boucher might be better but he's a PF/C. Niang is more of a PF/SF type. So of course Boucher is probably a better rebounder.

Niang is a more consistent shooter, better ball handler, better passer..he plays tougher and more physical. Niang also has much more playoff experience. He's played in 56 playoff games in his career (21 playoff games since 2022) compared to Boucher who's played in 15 playoff games in his career (0 playoff games since 2022).

[Fierce1]

Boucher is a 2 in 1.

He's cheaper and a better fit.

Niang is more of a SF/PF.

Boucher is a PF/C.

Brad just got what the Celtics needed at this point in time.

And getting zero salary back is sweet!

[Fierce1]

A starting unit of IT, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Horford, and Amir Johnson ended up winning 53 games in 2016-17.

I find it hard to believe this season's Celtics with JB and White will only win 30+ games.

Some complain about Simons being small.

How about IT at 5-9 and Bradley at 6-2?

[31to6]

This will depend on how JB plays as the #1 option.

If JB plays well, 45-50 wins is possible.

Before the signing of Boucher, I had the Cs as a #6 seed.

Now I think a 4 seed is truly possible.

The Cs needed frontcourt help, Brad got one.

It's the little things.

I like Boucher, but I feel like you are over rating him. Do you see him as a quality starter at the 4 or 5? Would you be willing to predict how many GP, mpg, rpg, bpg, and ppg we'll see in green from 32 year old Chris Boucher?

I think Boucher can be a 12 ppg, 7 rpg, and 1 bpg player in 28 minutes of game action for the Cs.

Boucher is playing for his next contract, so I won't be surprised if he really plays well for the Cs.

Those #s are totally in line with his career averages and per36 #s. I agree he has a good opportunity -- and motivation -- here. I don't think he boosts them to HCA in the playoffs, but would love to be wrong since I think the 'surprisingly good' season is more likely than the 'surprisingly lottery' season. Thanks for the response.

[165bows]

A starting unit of IT, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Horford, and Amir Johnson ended up winning 53 games in 2016-17.

I find it hard to believe this season's Celtics with JB and White will only win 30+ games.

Some complain about Simons being small.

How about IT at 5-9 and Bradley at 6-2?

That team gets really under rated. It had a legit MVP candidate and the formula of elite defensive unit that can shoot with a singular high level offensive engine is a tried and true formula.

It's like oh ho hum mid-teens Al Horford no big deal.

[165bows]

Guess you have not read the articles about why Tatum can return this season.

Not to spoon feed but that's what the sauces say idk what else to tell you

Tatum won't be back this year. Makes zero sense. Maybe a late season cameo in the last half dozen games, but I even doubt that.

First to the Floor pod (which I love and can't recommend to C's fans high enough) don't break news or claim sources but they have said they are being told by yes reliable source he isn't playing this year. That and common sense is enough for me, he isn't coming back this year.