Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[djFan71]

I'll be the first to say it, after the inevitable Simons and Tillman trades, I wouldn't be shocked if both Amari Williams and Hayden Gray end up with standard contracts on the Celtics this season. In my mind, I think that's the Celtics plan.

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

[Celts17Pride]

I'll be the first to say it, after the inevitable Simons and Tillman trades, I wouldn't be shocked if both Amari Williams and Hayden Gray end up with standard contracts on the Celtics this season. In my mind, I think that's the Celtics plan.

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

[brackdan70]

I'll be the first to say it, after the inevitable Simons and Tillman trades, I wouldn't be shocked if both Amari Williams and Hayden Gray end up with standard contracts on the Celtics this season. In my mind, I think that's the Celtics plan.

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

That would be really weird because the Celtics had Mann and actually used the 19th pick to send him Brooklyn.

[Celts17Pride]

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

That would be really weird because the Celtics had Mann and actually used the 19th pick to send him Brooklyn.

Just an example. I'm sure Stevens and Zarren will come up with a more creative way to pretty much accomplish the same thing.

[GreenBlooded]

I'll be the first to say it, after the inevitable Simons and Tillman trades, I wouldn't be shocked if both Amari Williams and Hayden Gray end up with standard contracts on the Celtics this season. In my mind, I think that's the Celtics plan.

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

If we're assuming that the goal is getting it off the repeater tax then 26'-'27 salary needs to be taken into account. Removing Simons, Boucher and Tillman's expirings from next year salary, the Celtics are 20m from the tax line with 11 players under contract. A contract like Mann's, who has 15.5m next season, would put the Celtics right up against the tax line with 12 players.

[djFan71]

Yeah, I said that a few posts above. Amari on a cheap 2nd round exc deal is possible. All depends on how many players we have to take back in the Simons/Tillman dump. If we can somehow only take 1 back, then welcome to the big club Amari.

Don't see how for Hayden though. Would have to be we have extra room under the tax and want to go 15 players.

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

If we're assuming that the goal is getting it off the repeater tax then 26'-'27 salary needs to be taken into account. Removing Simons, Boucher and Tillman's expirings from next year salary, the Celtics are 20m from the tax line with 11 players under contract. A contract like Mann's, who has 15.5m next season, would put the Celtics right up against the tax line with 12 players.

I don't think they care as much about the tax next year. I know you need 2 years below to reset it, but doing it this year just gives them the option next year - and saves a ton of money. The goal for 26-27 should be to get back over the tax and build a contender. Mann's deal could actually help as part of outgoing salary.

[playa-hater]

All I know is. Boston has more wings than buffalo now.

[bfchs123]

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

If we're assuming that the goal is getting it off the repeater tax then 26'-'27 salary needs to be taken into account. Removing Simons, Boucher and Tillman's expirings from next year salary, the Celtics are 20m from the tax line with 11 players under contract. A contract like Mann's, who has 15.5m next season, would put the Celtics right up against the tax line with 12 players.

I don't think they care as much about the tax next year. I know you need 2 years below to reset it, but doing it this year just gives them the option next year - and saves a ton of money. The goal for 26-27 should be to get back over the tax and build a contender. Mann's deal could actually help as part of outgoing salary.

Sorry my ignorance but has anyone in laymen's terms shown what the benefits are of getting under each threshold? I asked chatGPT and this is my understanding but someone correct me if I'm wrong

1) Over luxury tax line: costs mostly accrue to owners in terms of paying more (since every $1 costs $1.50); also can invoke repeater taxes which causes owners to pay more too

2) Over first apron: can't use MLE (but can use taxpayer MLE), can't take back more salary in trades, can't sign buyout players who made more than MLE, can't use bi-annual exception

3) Over second apron: I think well known at this point but can't use any MLE, can't S&T, can't aggregate salaries in a trade, draft pick frozen if multiple repeat years

So absolutely need to get under second, that is painfully clear. Probably helpful to get under first too (depending on what you trade / value returned to do it). Under luxury tax is helpful given repeater penalties but if it costs Simon for low value then unclear if worth it

Think that's a reasonable summary?

[Bill Lumbergh]

I don't expect Gray to be on our main roster this year, but FWIW, just based on highlights and his defense, I liked him better than Shulga.

[Celts17Pride]

If we're assuming that the goal is getting it off the repeater tax then 26'-'27 salary needs to be taken into account. Removing Simons, Boucher and Tillman's expirings from next year salary, the Celtics are 20m from the tax line with 11 players under contract. A contract like Mann's, who has 15.5m next season, would put the Celtics right up against the tax line with 12 players.

I don't think they care as much about the tax next year. I know you need 2 years below to reset it, but doing it this year just gives them the option next year - and saves a ton of money. The goal for 26-27 should be to get back over the tax and build a contender. Mann's deal could actually help as part of outgoing salary.

Sorry my ignorance but has anyone in laymen's terms shown what the benefits are of getting under each threshold? I asked chatGPT and this is my understanding but someone correct me if I'm wrong

1) Over luxury tax line: costs mostly accrue to owners in terms of paying more (since every $1 costs $1.50); also can invoke repeater taxes which causes owners to pay more too

2) Over first apron: can't use MLE (but can use taxpayer MLE), can't take back more salary in trades, can't sign buyout players who made more than MLE, can't use bi-annual exception

3) Over second apron: I think well known at this point but can't use any MLE, can't S&T, can't aggregate salaries in a trade, draft pick frozen if multiple repeat years

So absolutely need to get under second, that is painfully clear. Probably helpful to get under first too (depending on what you trade / value returned to do it). Under luxury tax is helpful given repeater penalties but if it costs Simon for low value then unclear if worth it

Think that's a reasonable summary?

Money. Celtics still have a $30 million tax penalty.

[djFan71]

I don't think they care as much about the tax next year. I know you need 2 years below to reset it, but doing it this year just gives them the option next year - and saves a ton of money. The goal for 26-27 should be to get back over the tax and build a contender. Mann's deal could actually help as part of outgoing salary.

Sorry my ignorance but has anyone in laymen's terms shown what the benefits are of getting under each threshold? I asked chatGPT and this is my understanding but someone correct me if I'm wrong

1) Over luxury tax line: costs mostly accrue to owners in terms of paying more (since every $1 costs $1.50); also can invoke repeater taxes which causes owners to pay more too

2) Over first apron: can't use MLE (but can use taxpayer MLE), can't take back more salary in trades, can't sign buyout players who made more than MLE, can't use bi-annual exception

3) Over second apron: I think well known at this point but can't use any MLE, can't S&T, can't aggregate salaries in a trade, draft pick frozen if multiple repeat years

So absolutely need to get under second, that is painfully clear. Probably helpful to get under first too (depending on what you trade / value returned to do it). Under luxury tax is helpful given repeater penalties but if it costs Simon for low value then unclear if worth it

Think that's a reasonable summary?

Money. Celtics still have a $30 million tax penalty.

Yep, that. Reasonable summary. More about money to cut any further at this point. Under the 1st gets you the flexibility for all the moves back. And there's a different in tax payer MLE vs non-tax payer MLE. You can sign a FA for more as a non-tax payer.

But ultimately, it's money at this point. If you're pessimistic, it's just saving the hedge fund guys $. If you're optimistic, it's saving money now in a year with Tatum hurt so that you can spend more in the following years to build a contender.

Stay tuned til 26-27 to see if there's reason for said optimism.

[darrendaye]

I don't expect Gray to be on our main roster this year, but FWIW, just based on highlights and his defense, I liked him better than Shulga.

Gray's college shooting numbers are a bit all over the place. This year was a breakthrough 3pt success rate, but his FT% dropped under 70%, albeit with low volume 1.4 FTA per game. Gray also barely cracked 11ppg while Shulga was 15ppg and got to the line 5.4x per game. I have peak Gray curiosity, but his offensive profile is less clear than Shulga, though both will need to excel at perimeter shooting to have any chance.

[Parliament10]

I wish that we had a 2nd Summer League/Camp. End of August to the middle of Sept.
Bring in the Fringe Players, and have some Vets practice with them.

[Fierce1]

I wish that we had a 2nd Summer League/Camp. End of August to the middle of Sept.
Bring in the Fringe Players, and have some Vets practice with them.

I think it's related to international competition.

August is usually the time where FIBA plays its games.

[Parliament10]

I wish that we had a 2nd Summer League/Camp. End of August to the middle of Sept.
Bring in the Fringe Players, and have some Vets practice with them.

I think it's related to international competition.

August is usually the time where FIBA plays its games.

Yeah. But, most of the Fringe Players aren't going to be in that.
Some Vets are doing their own Training Camps anyway, separate from the Teams.

Might as well make it Official, like they do in the NFL.
Not sure about some of the other sports?

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Read on Twitter

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

Here's a Thought: With no quality Big on the roster, the Celtics are going to be at a disadvantage if Jokic or Giannis becomes available after the season and they need to include a Center along with Brown...

[Bill Lumbergh]

I don't expect Gray to be on our main roster this year, but FWIW, just based on highlights and his defense, I liked him better than Shulga.

Gray's college shooting numbers are a bit all over the place. This year was a breakthrough 3pt success rate, but his FT% dropped under 70%, albeit with low volume 1.4 FTA per game. Gray also barely cracked 11ppg while Shulga was 15ppg and got to the line 5.4x per game. I have peak Gray curiosity, but his offensive profile is less clear than Shulga, though both will need to excel at perimeter shooting to have any chance.

We'll see how it plays out. Just going by the eyeball test, notwithstanding stats, I just liked Gray better, particularly his defense. He seemed elite at steals at least. I really have no expectations for either one. Just saying that from my extremely limited viewing of these guys, I liked Gray better. Just an opinion.

[redslastlaugh]

BR's Jake Fischer has a segment full of Celts tidbits (25:20 - 30:20)

Earlier SL rumors about a MEM-BOS swap were about Georges Niang (not KCP) so those are over
Celtics trade occurred on first day RJ Luis could be traded (30 days after signing his 2-way with UTA)
Celtics like RJ Luis and had wanted Luis to take a 2-way from Boston after the draft (but he took the Utah deal)
Anfernee Simons is much harder to move because he wants another big deal after this season and his $28 million is much more than Niang's

some other tidbits from Jake

Watch on YouTube

;t=27s

[Hal14]

Only time will tell, but I could easily see Hayden Gray being groomed as the backup point guard to Pritchard once they move Simons. Gray is cheap and can shoot the 3 ball.

For example, Simons and Tillman to Brooklyn for Terance Mann with appropriate picks going each way. Celtics sign both Williams and Gray. Celtics below the luxury tax.

Just because Gray is "cheap and can shoot the 3 ball" ?

Every single rookie who was undrafted or drafted in the 2nd round or can be signed to a min contract is cheap. That's like over 200 players.

As for his shooting, he played 2 seasons of D1 college basketball and was only a good shooter from distance in 1 of those 2 seasons. He was only a good FT shooter in 1 of those 2 seasons. He only shot good volume of 3PA in 1 of those 2 seasons. And those 2 seasons were in a mid major conference so he was facing meh competition.

In summer league he barely played..attempted just 2 3's in all of SL.

Maybe he can shoot at the NBA level...maybe not.

Not only was Gray undrafted but no one even considered him as a guy who *might* get drafted.

ESPN posted their list of top 100 prospects prior to the draft - Gray was nowhere to be seen on the list:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41662748/2025-nba-draft-big-board-rankings-top-100-prospects-players?ex_cid=espnapi_affiliate_abcotv

If we do the math, there was 59 guys drafted so if Gray wasn't ranked in the top 100 that means he wasn't even one of the top 41 undrafted players.

He's a long shot with a capital L. Likely just a training camp body and then maybe a guy we just give a regular g league contract to.

He was the 13th man on our *summer league* team. I don't think he's gonna be the 2nd string PG for the big club.