Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[Green89]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Bam was mentioned on a Celtics podcast recently. Something about a deal between him and Simons can't be done until early September. Not sure if it was speculation or sourced from somewhere.

[redslastlaugh]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Bam was mentioned on a Celtics podcast recently. Something about a deal between him and Simons can't be done until early September. Not sure if it was speculation or sourced from somewhere.

Besides Miami not wanting to deal with the Celtics, adding Bam would put us right back in the salary spot (tax & apron) we are trying to get out of -- Bam will make $52 million next year and then $56 and then $60 milly in 2028-29.

[Fierce1]

We get Bam...

BOOM!!!

Back to the 2nd apron we go.

[phincsfan]

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?

I think 2 months of no NBA is beneficial to all, including us fans.

At least that's how I see it.

Yup. We're seeing enough injuries as it is. And much of that is because these players play too much basketball as it is.

If anything, we should trim like 8-10 games from the reg season schedule - not add more games/training camp.

Read on Twitter

That will never happen. Too much lost revenue involved, and for bad teams that revenue is important.

JT pretty much played high level ball from Sept 23' to May 25' with weeks off rather than months off because of the Olympics. Most likely had the typical strains throughout. The achilles is a tendon which unlike ligaments aren't as flexible.

I keep thinking about Aaron Rodgers and his achilles tear. He had a strain prior and then pop the following week. Same with Halliburton.

Unfortunately for achilles, from what I've read there's not much that can be done for prevention except to shut it down when that lower calf strain happens. For the knee, they saw how important it is to strengthen the muscles around the hip.

I through the JT part in because if there was ever a guy I wished had some rest these last two years it is him.

[phincsfan]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Bam was mentioned on a Celtics podcast recently. Something about a deal between him and Simons can't be done until early September. Not sure if it was speculation or sourced from somewhere.

Besides Miami not wanting to deal with the Celtics, adding Bam would put us right back in the salary spot (tax & apron) we are trying to get out of -- Bam will make $52 million next year and then $56 and then $60 milly in 2028-29.

I don't know the math, but if the C's got a top 3 pick for the 26' draft and Miami was interested, would you do that pick for Bam?

The last leg of the JT, JB and White show with Bam would be pretty formidable. JT would be happy as hell

[celtxman]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Finding a decent big at any price is a problem

[165bows]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Finding a decent big at any pride is a problem

It’s really thin to find a place for him. Need some other moves first imo

[phincsfan]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

If RWill wasn't expiring, I could see a trade involving him, but he's a pretty valuable trade chip.

[RickyDizzle]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

If RWill wasn't expiring, I could see a trade involving him, but he's a pretty valuable trade chip.

Isn't he still on the blazers? Lol. You guys realize that's who traded us Simons...

[redslastlaugh]

I wouldn't. There was a window 2020-23 where Bam was pretty effective but he doesn't seem to be nearly as impactful anymore. The league got bigger for one thing and Bam is small for a center and struggles with size.

I'd way, way rather have a top 3 pick than Bam Adebayo. For sure

Besides Miami not wanting to deal with the Celtics, adding Bam would put us right back in the salary spot (tax & apron) we are trying to get out of -- Bam will make $52 million next year and then $56 and then $60 milly in 2028-29.

I don't know the math, but if the C's got a top 3 pick for the 26' draft and Miami was interested, would you do that pick for Bam?

The last leg of the JT, JB and White show with Bam would be pretty formidable. JT would be happy as hell

[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?

I think 2 months of no NBA is beneficial to all, including us fans.

At least that's how I see it.

Yup. We're seeing enough injuries as it is. And much of that is because these players play too much basketball as it is.

If anything, we should trim like 8-10 games from the reg season schedule - not add more games/training camp.

Read on Twitter

That will never happen. Too much lost revenue involved, and for bad teams that revenue is important.

JT pretty much played high level ball from Sept 23' to May 25' with weeks off rather than months off because of the Olympics. Most likely had the typical strains throughout. The achilles is a tendon which unlike ligaments aren't as flexible.

I keep thinking about Aaron Rodgers and his achilles tear. He had a strain prior and then pop the following week. Same with Halliburton.

Unfortunately for achilles, from what I've read there's not much that can be done for prevention except to shut it down when that lower calf strain happens. For the knee, they saw how important it is to strengthen the muscles around the hip.

I through the JT part in because if there was ever a guy I wished had some rest these last two years it is him.

There's a lot of evidence and NBA opinions, that the limited Preseasons are actually helping to cause more injuries.
I've always been a proponent of more prep time, instead of less.

Also, I think that it is more and more necessary to ramp up the involvement and appearances of Fringe Players.
Particularly, considering that we're supposed to have a bona-fide Minor League.

As well, the Regular NBA needs more unified Practice time leading up to the Start of the Season(s).
This would:

1) Limit Injuries, during the grueling 82-Game Season.
2) Improve the participation of Fringe Players. Which is good for All.

[phincsfan]

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?

I think 2 months of no NBA is beneficial to all, including us fans.

At least that's how I see it.

Yup. We're seeing enough injuries as it is. And much of that is because these players play too much basketball as it is.

If anything, we should trim like 8-10 games from the reg season schedule - not add more games/training camp.

Read on Twitter

That will never happen. Too much lost revenue involved, and for bad teams that revenue is important.

JT pretty much played high level ball from Sept 23' to May 25' with weeks off rather than months off because of the Olympics. Most likely had the typical strains throughout. The achilles is a tendon which unlike ligaments aren't as flexible.

I keep thinking about Aaron Rodgers and his achilles tear. He had a strain prior and then pop the following week. Same with Halliburton.

Unfortunately for achilles, from what I've read there's not much that can be done for prevention except to shut it down when that lower calf strain happens. For the knee, they saw how important it is to strengthen the muscles around the hip.

I through the JT part in because if there was ever a guy I wished had some rest these last two years it is him.

There's a lot of evidence and NBA opinions, that the limited Preseasons are actually helping to cause more injuries.
I've always been a proponent of more prep time, instead of less.

Also, I think that it is more and more necessary to ramp up the involvement and appearances of Fringe Players.
Particularly, considering that we're supposed to have a bona-fide Minor League.

As well, the Regular NBA needs more unified Practice time leading up to the Start of the Season(s).
This would:

1) Limit Injuries, during the grueling 82-Game Season.
2) Improve the participation of Fringe Players. Which is good for All.

The league should also stop with the max contract and all nba team awards. Forces players to possibly over due it.

There should be a minimum amount of games played to be eligible for awards, but IMO those awards should have no bearing on contract situations.

[Dogen]

LOL, I've been scouring the teams for a destination for Simons that brings back a decent big and not finding much.

My favorite so far? Simons for Timelord

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/8874887

Bam was mentioned on a Celtics podcast recently. Something about a deal between him and Simons can't be done until early September. Not sure if it was speculation or sourced from somewhere.

Besides Miami not wanting to deal with the Celtics, adding Bam would put us right back in the salary spot (tax & apron) we are trying to get out of -- Bam will make $52 million next year and then $56 and then $60 milly in 2028-29.

Yep, extremely unlikely under the current circumstances.

BUT, if JT as JT continues to heal, the new owners and Brad have to think "what if?"

What if you have a healthy lineup of Bam/JT/JB/White/Pritchard with a bench of Queta/Boucher/Hauser plus deeper reserves with Minott, Garza, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez come next April?

Is that enough to keep up with Cleveland, New York, Orlando and the rest of the EC? Bam is only 28. Having him under contract with or core is 4 All Star level players, complimentary, in primes, and all with finals experience and likely willing to sacrifice to get back there.

Not sure about the new owners, but if there's a chance to keep this window open early, I'd be thinking about opening the checkbook.

OK, come at me, "JT is not playing this season!!" bros.

[redslastlaugh]

Yep, extremely unlikely under the current circumstances.

BUT, if JT as JT continues to heal, the new owners and Brad have to think "what if?"

What if you have a healthy lineup of Bam/JT/JB/White/Pritchard with a bench of Queta/Boucher/Hauser plus deeper reserves with Minott, Garza, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez come next April?

Is that enough to keep up with Cleveland, New York, Orlando and the rest of the EC? Bam is only 28. Having him under contract with or core is 4 All Star level players, complimentary, in primes, and all with finals experience and likely willing to sacrifice to get back there.

Not sure about the new owners, but if there's a chance to keep this window open early, I'd be thinking about opening the checkbook.

OK, come at me, "JT is not playing this season!!" bros.

I just don't think Bam is that guy anymore though. Raptor WAR he was 18th best center this season, one spot below Vooch on the Bulls, and Bam played 78 games... And I'm only counting guys who logged >1000 minutes. Luke Kornet ate Bam's lunch the last two years like most centers with size because NBA just got so much bigger since the early 2020s. I just don't see it with Bam anymore, and then put $50-$60 million price tag, and I am saying no thanks

But I love your free spending ways! I'm all for letting the free spenders in ownership be writing them checks, just not on Bam tho

[Dogen]

Yep, extremely unlikely under the current circumstances.

BUT, if JT as JT continues to heal, the new owners and Brad have to think "what if?"

What if you have a healthy lineup of Bam/JT/JB/White/Pritchard with a bench of Queta/Boucher/Hauser plus deeper reserves with Minott, Garza, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez come next April?

Is that enough to keep up with Cleveland, New York, Orlando and the rest of the EC? Bam is only 28. Having him under contract with or core is 4 All Star level players, complimentary, in primes, and all with finals experience and likely willing to sacrifice to get back there.

Not sure about the new owners, but if there's a chance to keep this window open early, I'd be thinking about opening the checkbook.

OK, come at me, "JT is not playing this season!!" bros.

I just don't think Bam is that guy anymore though. Raptor WAR he was 18th best center this season, one spot below Vooch on the Bulls, and Bam played 78 games... And I'm only counting guys who logged >1000 minutes. Luke Kornet ate Bam's lunch the last two years like most centers with size because NBA just got so much bigger since the early 2020s. I just don't see it with Bam anymore, and then put $50-$60 million price tag, and I am saying no thanks

But I love your free spending ways! I'm all for letting the free spenders in ownership be writing them checks, just not on Bam tho

Great points, Red. Yeah, if Brad thinks --with owner backing -- this team could squeeze another chip out of this group in the next 2-3 years, then maybe it's a good all-in play. But you are right, the price is really steep. 3 maxes probably aren't going to cut it, and Bam may be on a downward trend with inflating price.

And then there's the issue about pat the rat not doing us any favors. In fact, if he's into a deal, I'd be very wary.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

But, they're going to make the Playoffs ...

Read on Twitter

[Fierce1]

But, they're going to make the Playoffs ...

Read on Twitter

Jaylen alone will not be able to carry this Celtics team to the playoffs.

You add Derrick White and PP then that's a play-in team.

But include Simons in the equation and you got a legit playoff team.

Why?

The Celtics will be missing JT's 27 points per game.

Guys like Baylor, Sam, and even Boucher will not be able to cover that.

Simons will be the guy who will give the Celtics that extra boost it needs to be a legit playoff team.

Mazzulla-Ball is at its best when there are multiple scoring threats.

When the Celtics are hot from 3pt land, they will be hard to beat.

Last season, like Game 6 in NY, the 3s were not falling, so the Cs had no chance of taking it to a Game 7.

With the addition of Simons, the Celtics once again have a dynamic scoring guard like Kyrie.

Not only is Simons a great 3pt shooter, he's also great at driving to the basket.

So as long as Simons plays for the Celtics, don't be surprised if the Celtics are a top 4 team in the east and will be in Vegas for the NBA Cup.

[jfs1000d]

My thoughts on players in the nba has to learn to use the bench more. Scoring champ should be who scored the most points. Not the highest average. That way, players would be willing to play 15 minutes in a game instead of load managing. Or they could come in in the second half.

Things like that will help the league .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[playa-hater]

I really hate the idea of trimming the Regular season games. And i'm not just talking about my fan point of view. If the logic of trimming games is to avoid injury, then how about stop playing the Stars So many minutes and stop having coaches play eight man rotations in the regular season?

I much rather have a league rule that teams are required to play 10 players per game, Then to have a rule about cutting games... I actually think if there were less games like 72, there would be coaches going into a smaller rotation to try to win every one. And just as many injuries or more would probably happen.. What the hell is the point of carrying 15+ players, and then you're never gonna play some.

And by all means, you can even increase the preseason games and play Just the backups to get a much better idea of who can do what.

[celtxman]

But, they're going to make the Playoffs ...

Read on Twitter

Jaylen alone will not be able to carry this Celtics team to the playoffs.

You add Derrick White and PP then that's a play-in team.

But include Simons in the equation and you got a legit playoff team.

Why?

The Celtics will be missing JT's 27 points per game.

Guys like Baylor, Sam, and even Boucher will not be able to cover that.

Simons will be the guy who will give the Celtics that extra boost it needs to be a legit playoff team.

Mazzulla-Ball is at its best when there are multiple scoring threats.

When the Celtics are hot from 3pt land, they will be hard to beat.

Last season, like Game 6 in NY, the 3s were not falling, so the Cs had no chance of taking it to a Game 7.

With the addition of Simons, the Celtics once again have a dynamic scoring guard like Kyrie.

Not only is Simons a great 3pt shooter, he's also great at driving to the basket.

So as long as Simons plays for the Celtics, don't be surprised if the Celtics are a top 4 team in the east and will be in Vegas for the NBA Cup.

It's so hard for me to get excited about Simons, not because of his game, but because I don't know if he'll be here.