Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[Fierce1]

If Simons is the 6th man then we've seen this before.

Ainge traded for Isaiah Thomas in 2014-15 and he came off the bench and the Celtics had one of the best records after All-Star that season.

This Simons acquisition really reminds me of trading for IT or signing Kemba.

Guards that were small and liability on defense, but those guards really gave the Cs a boost on offense.

Simons will most likely end up the 2nd leading scorer with Tatum out.

[165bows]

Answers exactly what I said, it’s why they are trying to move Simons. Really don't like it, but w/e. It’s not about him starting over Simons, I don’t think he is a starter period. Most people can start in the regular season, Pritchard is about to dominate, no doubt. Can he start in the playoffs and be as effective, I have my doubts. I have been wrong MANY TIMES before, maybe he is a starter in this league.

I am hoping I’m wrong! I want the best out of all Celtics! I simply believe they have made moves in the past that likely cost us a chip(s) earlier in the jays career, because they gave certain guys too much rope while freezing out other guys. That’s another issue though.

My old T+T board threads going to look great when PP puts up 23/5/5 on elite efficiency and maximum angry scowls per game.

I have no doubt that the man is going to have a monster regular season! I’m cheering the entire way! My only concern will be the playoffs. So those numbers don’t look far fetched to me, 23 is really good, but he may even score more points if I’m really thinking about it.

Edit: if he goes opposite of his regular season in the playoffs, how do you sit him again? I just don’t see it. Once you Start him, that’s it… without a trade. It was the same for Smart and IT4 before him. You can start them, but once you let go of the rope, you can’t reel them back in.

Yeah that’s a good point does that become the starting four minus the center for the foreseeable future (ie, 1-3 years).

Hadn’t thought of that.

[Clav]

Hey Boston board !

Was looking at your schedule, and noticed that 0, z-e-r-o, games with ATL are on national TV. I was really hoping to see a KP return game on national, he played a critical role in the ring. What gives, NBA ?! They really disappoint me.

They do have POR v BOS later, for Holiday. And Horford ends up with GSW, they are both on ESPN or Prime for that.

[Shak_Celts]

Hey Boston board !

Was looking at your schedule, and noticed that 0, z-e-r-o, games with ATL are on national TV. I was really hoping to see a KP return game on national, he played a critical role in the ring. What gives, NBA ?! They really disappoint me.

They do have POR v BOS later, for Holiday. And Horford ends up with GSW, they are both on ESPN or Prime for that.

If both teams are good they could add one later.

[bucknersrevenge]

I've never even heard of fastbreakjournal.com. When exactly did that become a legit source of anything?

[Hal14]

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[Fierce1]

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I would agree if Simons does not play a single game for the Cs.

But if Simons plays and the east is bad, expect the Cs to be 30-20 or 28-22 after 50 games.

That's a 4th or 5th seed.

As for Tatum playing, it will depend on Tatum.

If he wants to play in March then there's no stopping him.

I'm not saying those who want Tatum to sit the 2026 season is wrong

What I'm saying is it's not up to us or the Celtics, it's up to Tatum.

Again, Tatum gets what Tatum wants.

Just ask Brad Stevens.

If Tatum told the Celtics he wants Brad coaching him, Brad would still be coach right now.

[bucknersrevenge]

To be clear, I think Pritchard would make a fine starting G next to White if that happens. But I think it's only fair with Simons coming in to make it an open competition in training camp and let the best man win. If it's Payton, so be it. And if Simons somehow grasps the defense and plays more efficiently, then he should get it. Only fair.

[165bows]

To be clear, I think Pritchard would make a fine starting G next to White if that happens. But I think it's only fair with Simons coming in to make it an open competition in training camp and let the best man win. If it's Payton, so be it. And if Simons somehow grasps the defense and plays more efficiently, then he should get it. Only fair.

My thought was that Simons would start, as it's likely temporary anyway and he is the guy on the expiring contract (as they can tend towards being players' coaches/FO).

So I thought they'd do that to keep him being a good soldier/happy employee. But maybe they don't care about that lol.

[Hal14]

To be clear, I think Pritchard would make a fine starting G next to White if that happens. But I think it's only fair with Simons coming in to make it an open competition in training camp and let the best man win. If it's Payton, so be it. And if Simons somehow grasps the defense and plays more efficiently, then he should get it. Only fair.

My thought was that Simons would start, as it's likely temporary anyway and he is the guy on the expiring contract (as they can tend towards being players' coaches/FO).

So I thought they'd do that to keep him being a good soldier/happy employee. But maybe they don't care about that lol.

I think they probably will start Pritchard.

It's debatable who's the better player..I think most NBA fans who aren't celtics fans (therefore are unbiased towards Pritchard) would say Simons is better but it's debatable.

But Pritchard has been here longer - way longer so has more familiarity with the other guys on the team, the system, etc.

Joe loves Pritchard. So does Brad. It makes sense they want to reward him with progression in terms of his role..went from out of the rotation, requsting a trade to being the 8th man on our team that went to the 2022 finals, then was like 7th/8th man interchangeable with Hauser on the team that won 2024 title, then moved up to 6th man role and won 6MOY last season and now they move him into starting lineup.

It makes sense to reward him with the natural progression for putting in the work and playing well and being the guy who's been with the team the longest, other than the Jays.

And as for keeping Simons as a happy soldier, I think that:

a) he has to be a good soldier. It's a contract year so he has to be a good employee and play well so he can earn the best contract he can

b) Even as the 6th man, Simons should get plenty of playing time. He should average somewhere between 25-29 MPG. White (over age 30) and JB (coming off knee surgery and nearing 30) will get load managed a bit and likely have plenty of rest games during a bridge so we can save the wear and tear so they have more gas left in the tank when we're back to chasing titles next season (and beyond) which leaves plenty of mins for Simons

[brackdan70]

Hey Boston board !

Was looking at your schedule, and noticed that 0, z-e-r-o, games with ATL are on national TV. I was really hoping to see a KP return game on national, he played a critical role in the ring. What gives, NBA ?! They really disappoint me.

They do have POR v BOS later, for Holiday. And Horford ends up with GSW, they are both on ESPN or Prime for that.

Zinger will be injured but yeah it could have been a good story line.

[brackdan70]

If they are looking to trade him, Simons starts…prop up value as much as possible…if they see him as a rotation piece for the future he comes off the bench. Pritchard is ready to cook it!!!! With smoke!!! And chili garlic rub!!!

[darrendaye]

If they are looking to trade him, Simons starts…prop up value as much as possible…if they see him as a rotation piece for the future he comes off the bench. Pritchard is ready to cook it!!!! With smoke!!! And chili garlic rub!!!

I have to admit, I disagree. I think it actually increases his value, particularly at the trade deadline, if he excels as a 6th man. Also, it behooves the team to allow Pritchard to increase his trade value as well by opening the opportunity to start this season.

[jmr07019]

Any competitor in Pritchard shoes would be pissed if they gave the starting gig to a player who hasn’t been here, who hasn’t performed in the playoffs. It’s the nature of the competitive mindset.

[Hal14]

If they are looking to trade him, Simons starts…prop up value as much as possible…if they see him as a rotation piece for the future he comes off the bench. Pritchard is ready to cook it!!!! With smoke!!! And chili garlic rub!!!

They might not know yet for sure whether Simons is a rotation piece for the future.

Might need to see how it looks with him on the team, see how he does for 30+ games before making that determination.

From the sounds of the trade rumors, it seems like they probably don't see him as a rotation piece for the future. But we don't know that for sure.

I also think that:

a) Regardless of who starts and who's the 6th man, both Pritchard and Simons are probably gonna play around 27-30 MPG or so each..so their MPG likely won't be *that* different depending on whether they start or are 6th man

b) the one who comes of the bench might actually put up better numbers. Why? JB is gonna be *the* guy when the starters are on the floor. Whoever the 6th man is (either Pritchard or Simons) could be *the* guy for the bench unit. The one who starts might be the 3rd option, after JB and D-white

c) we're probably gonna rest JB and white quite a bit and have them sit out games here and there, to save the wear and tear during a bridge year. So whichever one is the 6th man will probably end up starting quite a bit so it might not matter that much which one is named the "starter". Like last couple of years, Al was technically not a starter but due to different guys missing games he ended up starting a good amount of games.

Long story short, I don't think it will impact Simons' trade value a whole lot, whether he or Prichard is named "starter". Mine as well reward Pritchard for the work he's put in, the tenure he has with the team, the familiarity he has with the system

Not worth it imo to risk Pritchard getting pissed and being like "hey, what the hell? You're gonna start him over me, when I've bene here longer, I've put in the work, I was 6MOY so deserve to be elevated to starter and you're looking to trade him anyways so he's not sticking around but I am - start me!"

Pritchard got mad before about his role - it could happen again.

[Hal14]

Updated offseason roster:



We can carry up to 21 guys, till end of training camp.

1 spot is open. We could sign a standard contract guy to fill that 15th spot. But chances are, we leave that 15th spot open, for $ savings and flexibility reasons. So more than likely, that last, 21st spot in the training camp roster will just be another exhibit 10 guy who will get waived and join our Maine squad.

The squad listed here (the 14 guys on standard contracts + the 3 2-way guys) could end up being the team we go with to start the season. At this point it seems like the only possible change before opening night would be a Simons trade..something that hasn't been discussed at all on here yet

[bucknersrevenge]

My read on Pritchard is that the competitor in him doesn't seek nor need a reward. A competitor seeks competition. Iron sharpens iron and all that. Pritchard wants to earn it every time. I love that about him. And fwiw, while some of my more recent posts might appear to be more favorable to Simons, In the interest of transparency, I think it's fair to set the stage a little.

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Simons has an uphill climb for sure. These stats do not paint him in a flattering light. Full stop. He might have to set the training camp on fire to make Joe's head turn. But again, Brad saw something.

[playa-hater]

I have always been genuinely curious to see what PP could do as a starter.. And i'm definitely in the camp that he would excel more than many give him credit for. And I have openly said I am one of his top supporters on here.

But even with all of that said, I don't see how Simons doesn't start. And to me, it is not even about who is better.. You have to start Simons for no other reason Then to keep his trade value as high as possible. Coming off the bench at 27 million will get him no offers.

[Fierce1]

My read on Pritchard is that the competitor in him doesn't seek nor need a reward. A competitor seeks competition. Iron sharpens iron and all that. Pritchard wants to earn it every time. I love that about him. And fwiw, while some of my more recent posts might appear to be more favorable to Simons, In the interest of transparency, I think it's fair to set the stage a little.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Simons has an uphill climb for sure. These stats do not paint him in a flattering light. Full stop. He might have to set the training camp on fire to make Joe's head turn. But again, Brad saw something.

Maybe Brad saw the name Anfernee and thought he was getting Penny Hardaway.

[MaxwellSmart]

Cut Walsh replace him with Luis.....give Tillman one last chance, maybe last season was a fluke.