Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26

[redslastlaugh]

I wish the NBA had thought the SUPERMAX through with the collision with the new CBA. Brown and Tatum are home grown stars and poster children for success and encouraging for smaller markets. But then you have to either take the team apart or trade one of them.
How about the NBA not tax any monies between a MAX and SUPERMAX? The team pays the player but doesn't pay taxes or incur apron penalties for the difference.

yea, that's a good idea

[Parliament10]

I wish the NBA had thought the SUPERMAX through with the collision with the new CBA. Brown and Tatum are home grown stars and poster children for success and encouraging for smaller markets. But then you have to either take the team apart or trade one of them.
How about the NBA not tax any monies between a MAX and SUPERMAX? The team pays the player but doesn't pay taxes or incur apron penalties for the difference.

yea, that's a good idea

They need to make changes to the CBA.
As new Administrators of the NBPA come in, I suspect things will be handled differently.

Previous Officers were all about the money, and age. They also didn't care much about the G League.
Hopefully VanVleet changes some of that.

[Fierce1]

I don't think the new ownership bodes well for Jaylen Brown, especially if they end up with an impactful player in the Draft. That guy could end up being Brown's replacement. You would hope they use Brown to obtain a better player of equal or larger salary, but they could opt for Tax Relief and Future Picks.

I just don't trust this new guy not to pull a Henry on Celtics fans...

subtle tank the season for a top 5 or 6 pick
Trade brown for a young player and a top 4 pick

Walk away from draft with a player, and 2 of Boozer, AJ, Ament, Peat, Quintance and solid bench and role players.

Yeah, I can get behind that really fast.

Still trying to trade JB?

[jmr07019]

I don't think the new ownership bodes well for Jaylen Brown, especially if they end up with an impactful player in the Draft. That guy could end up being Brown's replacement. You would hope they use Brown to obtain a better player of equal or larger salary, but they could opt for Tax Relief and Future Picks.

I just don't trust this new guy not to pull a Henry on Celtics fans...

subtle tank the season for a top 5 or 6 pick
Trade brown for a young player and a top 4 pick

Walk away from draft with a player, and 2 of Boozer, AJ, Ament, Peat, Quintance and solid bench and role players.

Yeah, I can get behind that really fast.

Still trying to trade JB?

Tatum is demanding out the second they trade JB for a rookie.

[Fierce1]

subtle tank the season for a top 5 or 6 pick
Trade brown for a young player and a top 4 pick

Walk away from draft with a player, and 2 of Boozer, AJ, Ament, Peat, Quintance and solid bench and role players.

Yeah, I can get behind that really fast.

Still trying to trade JB?

Tatum is demanding out the second they trade JB for a rookie.

The trading JB ship has sailed.

Apparently he's having a hard time accepting that fact.

[dortmunder]

Laugh at me. But i'm starting to believe. I want to.
IF we sign Bassey, we can start:
White simons brown boucher queta
And we can add this from the bench,
Pritchard scheierman hauser tillman bassey
(If we sign bassey)
I see there a bunch of hard guys inside.
I see scorers, i see some shooters.
I see a defensive, tough team.
I see 45-48 wins.

[djFan71]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit. If not, duck the tax, and develop the guys who will possibly be long term players. Every minute Simons plays is one less for all the young guys to split. Yeah, they're not the same position exactly, but it comes out of the same pool of total minutes. Would you rather give 1800 minutes to Simons and see him walk or split that to give Baylor/Hugo/Walsh more time on the wing?

Simons would help score this year with Tatum out for sure. But with Tatum back, do you still want Simons around with the ball in his hands less? Or do you think he's going to being the one to setup Tatum/Brown/White? Either way, you need a big improvement on D and either in primary playmaking or playing off-ball. Obviously, it's all possible that he improves across the board - but it's not something he's shown much of in his career. And, if he does show all that - can we afford to resign him then? Esp over a big with that salary slot?

IMO, Brad's looking, but just trying to not spend assets to do it. And the market's weak. Sept might mean something if other teams need to be able to aggregate to get Simons, plus a few other things may unjam with the unresolved RFAs.

[Fierce1]

Laugh at me. But i'm starting to believe. I want to.
IF we sign Bassey, we can start:
White simons brown boucher queta
And we can add this from the bench,
Pritchard scheierman hauser tillman bassey
(If we sign bassey)
I see there a bunch of hard guys inside.
I see scorers, i see some shooters.
I see a defensive, tough team.
I see 45-48 wins.

Agree with you.

Let me add that Mazzulla-Ball will be on full display.

Actually Joe is running Brad's system.

Joe and the Celtics have won a championship with this system.

This will be the true test of Joe and his coaching.

If the Cs end up winning 45-48 games, like you predicted, it would be hard not to give Joe credit because there are a number of Celtic fans who think this is a lottery team.

[Fierce1]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit. If not, duck the tax, and develop the guys who will possibly be long term players. Every minute Simons plays is one less for all the young guys to split. Yeah, they're not the same position exactly, but it comes out of the same pool of total minutes. Would you rather give 1800 minutes to Simons and see him walk or split that to give Baylor/Hugo/Walsh more time on the wing?

Simons would help score this year with Tatum out for sure. But with Tatum back, do you still want Simons around with the ball in his hands less? Or do you think he's going to being the one to setup Tatum/Brown/White? Either way, you need a big improvement on D and either in primary playmaking or playing off-ball. Obviously, it's all possible that he improves across the board - but it's not something he's shown much of in his career. And, if he does show all that - can we afford to resign him then? Esp over a big with that salary slot?

IMO, Brad's looking, but just trying to not spend assets to do it. And the market's weak. Sept might mean something if other teams need to be able to aggregate to get Simons, plus a few other things may unjam with the unresolved RFAs.

Yeah, I don't think it's about keeping Simons, it's about trading him at the right time.

Rushing to trade him now will only result in the Celtics getting negative value.

So why rush when there's a big chance of Simons having a great season because he's playing for his next contract.

I also agree that Simons' salary should be for a quality big man, so why trade Simons for guys like KCP, Mann, Okogie, and Slo-Mo?

Wait 50 games then make a decision on Simons.

[brackdan70]

Laugh at me. But i'm starting to believe. I want to.
IF we sign Bassey, we can start:
White simons brown boucher queta
And we can add this from the bench,
Pritchard scheierman hauser tillman bassey
(If we sign bassey)
I see there a bunch of hard guys inside.
I see scorers, i see some shooters.
I see a defensive, tough team.
I see 45-48 wins.

Bassey is this years Lonnie Walker. All the Celtics fans want him but no NBA team does.

[djFan71]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit. If not, duck the tax, and develop the guys who will possibly be long term players. Every minute Simons plays is one less for all the young guys to split. Yeah, they're not the same position exactly, but it comes out of the same pool of total minutes. Would you rather give 1800 minutes to Simons and see him walk or split that to give Baylor/Hugo/Walsh more time on the wing?

Simons would help score this year with Tatum out for sure. But with Tatum back, do you still want Simons around with the ball in his hands less? Or do you think he's going to being the one to setup Tatum/Brown/White? Either way, you need a big improvement on D and either in primary playmaking or playing off-ball. Obviously, it's all possible that he improves across the board - but it's not something he's shown much of in his career. And, if he does show all that - can we afford to resign him then? Esp over a big with that salary slot?

IMO, Brad's looking, but just trying to not spend assets to do it. And the market's weak. Sept might mean something if other teams need to be able to aggregate to get Simons, plus a few other things may unjam with the unresolved RFAs.

Yeah, I don't think it's about keeping Simons, it's about trading him at the right time.

Rushing to trade him now will only result in the Celtics getting negative value.

So why rush when there's a big chance of Simons having a great season because he's playing for his next contract.

I also agree that Simons' salary should be for a quality big man, so why trade Simons for guys like KCP, Mann, Okogie, and Slo-Mo?

Wait 50 games then make a decision on Simons.

Benefits of doing it before the season:
- Easier to clear the level of money needed to duck the tax before other teams' rosters are set for the season. Save tax money this year to enable more spending later on.
- No Simons = more development time for everyone else. Sooner he's gone, the sooner the young guys play more.
- The chance he improves is offset by less time under contract for the team trading for him.

As for the KCP, Mann, Okogie, Slo-Mo group:
- You forgot Kuz and Josh Green.
- Those type deals are the 2nd option, imo. Get under the tax without sending any assets. Maybe get minor ones back even.

1st option is to trade for a big that'll be around for 26-27 and hopefully beyond. It's just that the 1st option is pretty hard to come by without attaching picks.

It's very possible we go into the season with Simons because Brad can't find a taker with a deal he likes. But, I don't think it's for lack of trying.

[Hal14]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit.

Maybe we need to see him play for us for like half a season (or even a full season) in order to make a more informed decision about whether we think he's a long term fit.

Try before you buy..

Plus, his trade value seems to be extremely low right now..his trade value could go up once we're a few months into the season. And at that point there may be some teams with more of a need for Simons' services and will be more interested in trading for him as we get closer to the deadline..

[djFan71]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit.

Maybe we need to see him play for us for like half a season (or even a full season) in order to make a more informed decision about whether we think he's a long term fit.

Try before you buy..

Plus, his trade value seems to be extremely low right now..his trade value could go up once we're a few months into the season. And at that point there may be some teams with more of a need for Simons' services and will be more interested in trading for him as we get closer to the deadline..

yeah, I don't discount it's possible. It's just feels a little like blind optimism hoping his value increases substantially in 3 months here after 7 years of service, and given even less time on his contract after that point. But, it's definitely possible. Contract year has done wonders for many a player's effort/production. Just have to count on him knowing that playing the right way and doing the little things is more important than buckets in that regard.

Lux tax and more dev time for other guys outweigh the potential gain by keeping him for me, but I can see both sides.

[redslastlaugh]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit.

Maybe we need to see him play for us for like half a season (or even a full season) in order to make a more informed decision about whether we think he's a long term fit.

Try before you buy..

Plus, his trade value seems to be extremely low right now..his trade value could go up once we're a few months into the season. And at that point there may be some teams with more of a need for Simons' services and will be more interested in trading for him as we get closer to the deadline..

yeah, I don't discount it's possible. It's just feels a little like blind optimism hoping his value increases substantially in 3 months here after 7 years of service, and given even less time on his contract after that point. But, it's definitely possible. Contract year has done wonders for many a player's effort/production. Just have to count on him knowing that playing the right way and doing the little things is more important than buckets in that regard.

Lux tax and more dev time for other guys outweigh the potential gain by keeping him for me, but I can see both sides.

Also our trade partners may have cap space now in the summer but they have to use their cap space to come up to the salary floor for the season.

Like if we wanted to do a deal like Simons $27 million (+ a pick) to BRK for a much lesser salary figure, say Day'Ron Sharpe's $6 mil, the trade is only legal while Brooklyn has the cap space to absorb the difference

[Fierce1]

I'm still on the trading Simons ship. The only way it makes sense to keep him this year is if you think he's a long-term fit. If not, duck the tax, and develop the guys who will possibly be long term players. Every minute Simons plays is one less for all the young guys to split. Yeah, they're not the same position exactly, but it comes out of the same pool of total minutes. Would you rather give 1800 minutes to Simons and see him walk or split that to give Baylor/Hugo/Walsh more time on the wing?

Simons would help score this year with Tatum out for sure. But with Tatum back, do you still want Simons around with the ball in his hands less? Or do you think he's going to being the one to setup Tatum/Brown/White? Either way, you need a big improvement on D and either in primary playmaking or playing off-ball. Obviously, it's all possible that he improves across the board - but it's not something he's shown much of in his career. And, if he does show all that - can we afford to resign him then? Esp over a big with that salary slot?

IMO, Brad's looking, but just trying to not spend assets to do it. And the market's weak. Sept might mean something if other teams need to be able to aggregate to get Simons, plus a few other things may unjam with the unresolved RFAs.

Yeah, I don't think it's about keeping Simons, it's about trading him at the right time.

Rushing to trade him now will only result in the Celtics getting negative value.

So why rush when there's a big chance of Simons having a great season because he's playing for his next contract.

I also agree that Simons' salary should be for a quality big man, so why trade Simons for guys like KCP, Mann, Okogie, and Slo-Mo?

Wait 50 games then make a decision on Simons.

Benefits of doing it before the season:
- Easier to clear the level of money needed to duck the tax before other teams' rosters are set for the season. Save tax money this year to enable more spending later on.
- No Simons = more development time for everyone else. Sooner he's gone, the sooner the young guys play more.
- The chance he improves is offset by less time under contract for the team trading for him.

As for the KCP, Mann, Okogie, Slo-Mo group:
- You forgot Kuz and Josh Green.
- Those type deals are the 2nd option, imo. Get under the tax without sending any assets. Maybe get minor ones back even.

1st option is to trade for a big that'll be around for 26-27 and hopefully beyond. It's just that the 1st option is pretty hard to come by without attaching picks.

It's very possible we go into the season with Simons because Brad can't find a taker with a deal he likes. But, I don't think it's for lack of trying.

Yeah, Brad is trying, but Brad does not do dump.

So Brad will only pull the trigger on a deal he likes.

As for development, Joe will coach to win.
So development will come 2nd to wins and losses.

This is Joe's time to prove that talent alone didn't carry the Cs to a championship.

If the Cs get 45 wins then that will lessen the noise from the anti-Joe crowd.

Not saying that you're wrong about developing young players.

I also want that.

But knowing Brad and Joe, winning always comes first.

[djFan71]

Yeah, I don't think it's about keeping Simons, it's about trading him at the right time.

Rushing to trade him now will only result in the Celtics getting negative value.

So why rush when there's a big chance of Simons having a great season because he's playing for his next contract.

I also agree that Simons' salary should be for a quality big man, so why trade Simons for guys like KCP, Mann, Okogie, and Slo-Mo?

Wait 50 games then make a decision on Simons.

Benefits of doing it before the season:
- Easier to clear the level of money needed to duck the tax before other teams' rosters are set for the season. Save tax money this year to enable more spending later on.
- No Simons = more development time for everyone else. Sooner he's gone, the sooner the young guys play more.
- The chance he improves is offset by less time under contract for the team trading for him.

As for the KCP, Mann, Okogie, Slo-Mo group:
- You forgot Kuz and Josh Green.
- Those type deals are the 2nd option, imo. Get under the tax without sending any assets. Maybe get minor ones back even.

1st option is to trade for a big that'll be around for 26-27 and hopefully beyond. It's just that the 1st option is pretty hard to come by without attaching picks.

It's very possible we go into the season with Simons because Brad can't find a taker with a deal he likes. But, I don't think it's for lack of trying.

Yeah, Brad is trying, but Brad does not do dump.

So Brad will only pull the trigger on a deal he likes.

As for development, Joe will coach to win.
So development will come 2nd to wins and losses.

This is Joe's time to prove that talent alone carried the Cs to a championship.

If the Cs get 45 wins then that will lessen the noise from the anti-Joe crowd.

Not saying that you're wrong about developing young players.

I also want that.

But knowing Brad and Joe, winning always comes first.

Yeah, that's why you almost have to get rid of Simons to get Joe to play the young guys. And, rightfully so, he's trying to win games. Brad has to force him to play young guys if that's the goal.

And Brad absolutely does dumps. How can you say that after KP, Jrue and even Niang? Now, he doesn't HAVE to keep dumping - it's much less desperate now than before, but the man knows how to dump.

[Fierce1]

Benefits of doing it before the season:
- Easier to clear the level of money needed to duck the tax before other teams' rosters are set for the season. Save tax money this year to enable more spending later on.
- No Simons = more development time for everyone else. Sooner he's gone, the sooner the young guys play more.
- The chance he improves is offset by less time under contract for the team trading for him.

As for the KCP, Mann, Okogie, Slo-Mo group:
- You forgot Kuz and Josh Green.
- Those type deals are the 2nd option, imo. Get under the tax without sending any assets. Maybe get minor ones back even.

1st option is to trade for a big that'll be around for 26-27 and hopefully beyond. It's just that the 1st option is pretty hard to come by without attaching picks.

It's very possible we go into the season with Simons because Brad can't find a taker with a deal he likes. But, I don't think it's for lack of trying.

Yeah, Brad is trying, but Brad does not do dump.

So Brad will only pull the trigger on a deal he likes.

As for development, Joe will coach to win.
So development will come 2nd to wins and losses.

This is Joe's time to prove that talent alone carried the Cs to a championship.

If the Cs get 45 wins then that will lessen the noise from the anti-Joe crowd.

Not saying that you're wrong about developing young players.

I also want that.

But knowing Brad and Joe, winning always comes first.

Yeah, that's why you almost have to get rid of Simons to get Joe to play the young guys. And, rightfully so, he's trying to win games. Brad has to force him to play young guys if that's the goal.

And Brad absolutely does dumps. How can you say that after KP, Jrue and even Niang? Now, he doesn't HAVE to keep dumping - it's much less desperate now than before, but the man knows how to dump.

What I mean by dump is getting negative value out of desperation.

KP, Jrue, and Niang were not dumps because all 3 trades were for the purpose of getting under the 2nd apron.

Mission accomplished.

[Fierce1]

If Simons plays for the Cs on opening night then the debate is settled.

That means Brad and Joe are on the same page about winning comes first.

If not then I will concede the argument.

[djFan71]

Yeah, Brad is trying, but Brad does not do dump.

So Brad will only pull the trigger on a deal he likes.

As for development, Joe will coach to win.
So development will come 2nd to wins and losses.

This is Joe's time to prove that talent alone carried the Cs to a championship.

If the Cs get 45 wins then that will lessen the noise from the anti-Joe crowd.

Not saying that you're wrong about developing young players.

I also want that.

But knowing Brad and Joe, winning always comes first.

Yeah, that's why you almost have to get rid of Simons to get Joe to play the young guys. And, rightfully so, he's trying to win games. Brad has to force him to play young guys if that's the goal.

And Brad absolutely does dumps. How can you say that after KP, Jrue and even Niang? Now, he doesn't HAVE to keep dumping - it's much less desperate now than before, but the man knows how to dump.

What I mean by dump is getting negative value out of desperation.

KP, Jrue, and Niang were not dumps because all 3 trades were for the purpose of getting under the 2nd apron.

Mission accomplished.

lol, ok, parse it however you want if it makes you feel better.

Spoiler:

They were dumps.

[Fierce1]

I doubt the Cs would have traded KP if the Cs were not an apron team.

KP is borderline All-Star player if healthy.

It was more sacrifice than dump.