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

[Fierce1]

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

Luis is already on a 2-way deal.

No need to cut Walsh.

[bucknersrevenge]

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.

I'm actually glad you brought this up my guy. There's been some talk about moving Simons before the deadline after increasing his trade value. This quaetion is for you and anyone else reading this:

What would "increasing Simons' trade value" look like? What things does he need to be better at or do more to see his value increase?

[Fierce1]

I think if Simons averages 18 points per game, or higher, from October to February, playoff teams will be interested.

Could be like the Cs trading for IT at the 2015 trade deadline.

A player like Simons will definitely help a playoff team needing a 2nd or 3rd scorer.

But if JT's recovery goes well and he returns in March, Cs could end up keeping Simons.

If JT is not returning in March, I think Simons is very likely gone.

[Fierce1]

I think how the 2026 season will be handled will depend on what happens after 50 games.

If the Cs go 30-20 after 50 games, a playoff push is worth it.

But if the Cs are 20-30 after 50 games, the best approach is to get a lottery pick.

That's how I see it.

[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.

I'm actually glad you brought this up my guy. There's been some talk about moving Simons before the deadline after increasing his trade value. This quaetion is for you and anyone else reading this:

What would "increasing Simons' trade value" look like? What things does he need to be better at or do more to see his value increase?

Fair question.. maybe it should be more of Simons reminding other teams that he can indeed play at a high level. Playing on a Portland team that was never in contention may have helped the notion the Simons is just an OK player. Obviously raising his "defensive image" will help and maybe with Boston he will.

That and maybe having a "contract year" coming up, causes him to have his best season ever.. At 26, he is just starting his "Prime"

[bucknersrevenge]

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.

I'm actually glad you brought this up my guy. There's been some talk about moving Simons before the deadline after increasing his trade value. This quaetion is for you and anyone else reading this:

What would "increasing Simons' trade value" look like? What things does he need to be better at or do more to see his value increase?

Fair question.. maybe it should be more of Simons reminding other teams that he can indeed play at a high level. Playing on a Portland team that was never in contention may have helped the notion the Simons is just an OK player. Obviously raising his "defensive image" will help and maybe with Boston he will.

That and maybe having a "contract year" coming up, causes him to have his best season ever.. At 26, he is just starting his "Prime"

Fair enough. So then what is the likelihood that if Simons foes these things and rehabs his image, that Brad says, "F it, I'm keeping him. That's the kind of player we want here" as opposed to moving him?

[Hal14]

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.

Brad saw something?

He's not the one who drafted him 24th overall, even though Simons played 0 college games (Pritchard got drafted 26th overall after playing in 144 college games)

Maybe some of the efficiency numbers for Simons were because he was the no. 1 option (1st on POR in FGA/game last season) on a crappy team that was tanking?

[playa-hater]

I'm actually glad you brought this up my guy. There's been some talk about moving Simons before the deadline after increasing his trade value. This quaetion is for you and anyone else reading this:

What would "increasing Simons' trade value" look like? What things does he need to be better at or do more to see his value increase?

Fair question.. maybe it should be more of Simons reminding other teams that he can indeed play at a high level. Playing on a Portland team that was never in contention may have helped the notion the Simons is just an OK player. Obviously raising his "defensive image" will help and maybe with Boston he will.

That and maybe having a "contract year" coming up, causes him to have his best season ever.. At 26, he is just starting his "Prime"

Fair enough. So then what is the likelihood that if Simons foes these things and rehabs his image, that Brad says, "F it, I'm keeping him. That's the kind of player we want here" as opposed to moving him?

I have stated already that keeping Simons is my first option. With the assumption that Simons' market won't be robust next summer, Boston can sign him for much cheaper than his current contract. But what Brad and ownership have planned is anyone's guess. 26 years old with shooting/scoring talent fits what we need IMO. For Brad to trade him, it would have to be for something equally of value IMO. Let's see what happens..

[Shak_Celts]

Yooooo. When did Queta get all those moves?! New stuff in that Portugal vs. Iceland game. Nice!

[Celts17Pride]

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.

Brad saw a way to get off of Jrue Holiday's long term money.

[Hal14]

We're now at the maximum, 21 guys on offseason/training camp roster.

This could be the roster we go with in training camp..and the roster we go with to start the season in terms of the standard contract/2 way guys..barring a Simons trade.

[playa-hater]

Yooooo. When did Queta get all those moves?! New stuff in that Portugal vs. Iceland game. Nice!

Cue someone saying Joe deserves credit... meanwhile PT = comfort = confidence = development.

[31to6]

Fair question.. maybe it should be more of Simons reminding other teams that he can indeed play at a high level. Playing on a Portland team that was never in contention may have helped the notion the Simons is just an OK player. Obviously raising his "defensive image" will help and maybe with Boston he will.

That and maybe having a "contract year" coming up, causes him to have his best season ever.. At 26, he is just starting his "Prime"

Fair enough. So then what is the likelihood that if Simons foes these things and rehabs his image, that Brad says, "F it, I'm keeping him. That's the kind of player we want here" as opposed to moving him?

I have stated already that keeping Simons is my first option. With the assumption that Simons' market won't be robust next summer, Boston can sign him for much cheaper than his current contract. But what Brad and ownership have planned is anyone's guess. 26 years old with shooting/scoring talent fits what we need IMO. For Brad to trade him, it would have to be for something equally of value IMO. Let's see what happens..

What is the MLE going to be next summer, and is that where Simons' next contract might end up?

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Yooooo. When did Queta get all those moves?! New stuff in that Portugal vs. Iceland game. Nice!

Cue someone saying Joe deserves credit... meanwhile PT = comfort = confidence = development.

Hear me out. It's easier to score on the front court of the Icelandic national team than of an NBA team.

[Parliament10]

Yooooo. When did Queta get all those moves?! New stuff in that Portugal vs. Iceland game. Nice!

Cue someone saying Joe deserves credit... meanwhile PT = comfort = confidence = development.

Hear me out. It's easier to score on the front court of the Icelandic national team than of an NBA team.

Granted. -- Practice does make perfect, though.
And, Queta is practicing for the NBA, quite well.

[darrendaye]

Yooooo. When did Queta get all those moves?! New stuff in that Portugal vs. Iceland game. Nice!

Cue someone saying Joe deserves credit... meanwhile PT = comfort = confidence = development.

Hear me out. It's easier to score on the front court of the Icelandic national team than of an NBA team.

Maybe less easy than against us this year.
I didn't want to douse the enthusiasm, so I've resisted the urge to comment before. He had one push shot with good touch, which is what I found modestly encouraging. But more than all the stuff he mentioned about his scoring improvement plan, I want to see the "elite decisions with the ball" instead of contested shots vs. less than NBA starting level talent. I'm a strong Queta supporter. But hope he follows the 3 D's offensively: Dunk, Defer, Draw (noticeable) contact.

[darrendaye]

We're now at the maximum, 21 guys on offseason/training camp roster.

This could be the roster we go with in training camp..and the roster we go with to start the season in terms of the standard contract/2 way guys..barring a Simons trade.

Luis and Scott coming in together from St. John's should help the learning curve somewhat for those two.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

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[Bill Lumbergh]

Read on Twitter

Minott's legs are like twigs.

[Shak_Celts]

Cue someone saying Joe deserves credit... meanwhile PT = comfort = confidence = development.

Hear me out. It's easier to score on the front court of the Icelandic national team than of an NBA team.

Maybe less easy than against us this year.
I didn't want to douse the enthusiasm, so I've resisted the urge to comment before. He had one push shot with good touch, which is what I found modestly encouraging. But more than all the stuff he mentioned about his scoring improvement plan, I want to see the "elite decisions with the ball" instead of contested shots vs. less than NBA starting level talent. I'm a strong Queta supporter. But hope he follows the 3 D's offensively: Dunk, Defer, Draw (noticeable) contact.

I want Queta to dunk it every chance he gets! I remember complaining a couple seasons back when he’d get too fancy, then he started yamming it, so I had to shut up!

I do want him to have other shots in his arsenal tho, I hate when bigs stand wide open wasting the entire clock to get the ball to a certain player. I need the defenders to fear you, that leaves the better scorers room to shine. Now I want him to shoot a 3 once in a while. Take and make a floater now and then. Make the defense see you!

This is the season where you pull out other things and start to refine them. We can win while developing guys. We won while we developed the jays, smart, etc. We seem to be in that type of window, for at least this season. Time to take advantage of it!