Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26, part 2

[Parliament10]

Wall of Fame
Fierce1 (216)
Hal14 (192)
Celts17Pride (182)
djFan71 (97)
redslastlaugh (94)
165bows (74)
Parliament10 (66)
fallguy (59)
phincsfan (58)
bigfoot_cryptozoology (55)
brackdan70 (54)
darrendaye (53)
Larry_Russell (45)
playa-hater (43)
celtxman (39)
bucknersrevenge (37)
jmr07019 (37)
Shak_Celts (33)
Gant (33)
31to6 (30)

[31to6]

We made it, Gant and Shak!
They WANT us on that wall
they NEED us on that wall
we BARELY made that wall

[Bad-Thoma]

We made it, Gant and Shak!
They WANT us on that wall
they NEED us on that wall
we BARELY made that wall

I didn't make it.

[Dogen]

We made it, Gant and Shak!
They WANT us on that wall
they NEED us on that wall
we BARELY made that wall

I didn't make it.

[31to6]

everyone knows God keeps a separate book for those who post quality GIFs, and that the GIF-ers will inherit the Earth

[165bows]

Good thing that last thread got locked before I started responding lol

[celtxman]

We made it, Gant and Shak!
They WANT us on that wall
they NEED us on that wall
we BARELY made that wall

I didn't make it.

A few threads ago I had enough posts for the coveted Wall of Shame....only the results weren't posted. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt. I couldn't eat or sleep. But I got up, dusted myself off, and made it back to the top. OK, OK the bottom of the top.
My advice? Take a couple of days off of work. No not to rest, but just to relentlessly post. Keep it simple - like "great post " ( even if you HATE the post - it all counts.) You can do it!

[bucknersrevenge]

I see two reasons why guys get signed to contracts:

1. The team believes in you; wants to invest in your improvement and being a part of the team
2. Asset retention. Teams simply don't want to lose an asset for nothing when it can be utilized down the road.

Every GM balances these reasons with every re-signing and extension. Re-signing Simons at the end of the year to a salary slot similar to his current deal is a great way to invest in a player as he's entering his prime (if he improves on his defense and his finishing at the rim), and it also keeps an asset that we traded Jrue for under our roof until he can either be helpful here or in a trade. Point is, in no way should we just let his contract just fall off at the end of the year when it could still be helpful in a number of ways. This is why Brad said we're only making trades for upgrades. There are only 2 starting positions on this team in line for an upgrade: PG and C. And how many big upgrades are even going to be available during this season? Someone paint me a picture of the profile of a team willing to trade for Simons this season. Not seeing it.

[31to6]

I see two reasons why guys get signed to contracts:

1. The team believes in you; wants to invest in your improvement and being a part of the team
2. Asset retention. Teams simply don't want to lose an asset for nothing when it can be utilized down the road.

Every GM balances these reasons with every re-signing and extension. Re-signing Simons at the end of the year to a salary slot similar to his current deal is a great way to invest in a player as he's entering his prime (if he improves on his defense and his finishing at the rim), and it also keeps an asset that we traded Jrue for under our roof until he can either be helpful here or in a trade. Point is, in no way should we just let his contract just fall off at the end of the year when it could still be helpful in a number of ways. This is why Brad said we're only making trades for upgrades. There are only 2 starting positions on this team in line for an upgrade: PG and C. And how many big upgrades are even going to be available during this season? Someone paint me a picture of the profile of a team willing to trade for Simons this season. Not seeing it.

Great post; two thoughts:

1. I think Derrick is the PG. Joe called him "my point guard" for the last two seasons, and he really was -- even next to Jrue -- even though we never really talked about it that way. I mean, partly because Tatum played 'point' more than anyone. This season if Derrick and Payton start I expect it to remain unclear who is PG and who is SG and that's fine.

2. I can imagine DAL or LAC making a semi-desperate move for Simons this season. DAL: let's say AD is healthy, Flagg is great and playing PF, and young guys like Christie are playing well -- but Klay and/or Kyrie are struggling. Maybe they send PF Washington and Klay for Simons and at least one first. I think that's a pretty bad trade for both teams, and contingent on a lot of 'what if?' but I can imagine it.

LAC I see as 'all-in' enough on their old guy roster that if they get to midseason and surprise surprise aren't getting what they expected from Bradley Beal, they could theoretically package Bogdanovic and one or more minor salaries to trade for Simons. Again: would be stupid, but can imagine this -- without us having to attach any pick(s).

Then there's always SAC -- just because.

But I agree that trading Simons seems less than likely, and my current thought is to see how he fits, and then consider re-upping him around (maybe slightly above?) the non-taxpayer MLE next summer (projected to be $15M). I appreciate that you point out he needs to not only improve his defense (we all say that) but also his finishing around the rim (we haven't been saying that).

[Hal14]

No surprise. He is a decent player. But he's 25, has done multiple yrs in the g league, hasn't made it in the NBA.

Makes sense that he would go overseas..good luck, Miles!

Read on Twitter

[bucknersrevenge]

I see two reasons why guys get signed to contracts:

1. The team believes in you; wants to invest in your improvement and being a part of the team
2. Asset retention. Teams simply don't want to lose an asset for nothing when it can be utilized down the road.

Every GM balances these reasons with every re-signing and extension. Re-signing Simons at the end of the year to a salary slot similar to his current deal is a great way to invest in a player as he's entering his prime (if he improves on his defense and his finishing at the rim), and it also keeps an asset that we traded Jrue for under our roof until he can either be helpful here or in a trade. Point is, in no way should we just let his contract just fall off at the end of the year when it could still be helpful in a number of ways. This is why Brad said we're only making trades for upgrades. There are only 2 starting positions on this team in line for an upgrade: PG and C. And how many big upgrades are even going to be available during this season? Someone paint me a picture of the profile of a team willing to trade for Simons this season. Not seeing it.

Great post; two thoughts:

1. I think Derrick is the PG. Joe called him "my point guard" for the last two seasons, and he really was -- even next to Jrue -- even though we never really talked about it that way. I mean, partly because Tatum played 'point' more than anyone. This season if Derrick and Payton start I expect it to remain unclear who is PG and who is SG and that's fine.

2. I can imagine DAL or LAC making a semi-desperate move for Simons this season. DAL: let's say AD is healthy, Flagg is great and playing PF, and young guys like Christie are playing well -- but Klay and/or Kyrie are struggling. Maybe they send PF Washington and Klay for Simons and at least one first. I think that's a pretty bad trade for both teams, and contingent on a lot of 'what if?' but I can imagine it.

LAC I see as 'all-in' enough on their old guy roster that if they get to midseason and surprise surprise aren't getting what they expected from Bradley Beal, they could theoretically package Bogdanovic and one or more minor salaries to trade for Simons. Again: would be stupid, but can imagine this -- without us having to attach any pick(s).

Then there's always SAC -- just because.

But I agree that trading Simons seems less than likely, and my current thought is to see how he fits, and then consider re-upping him around (maybe slightly above?) the non-taxpayer MLE next summer (projected to be $15M). I appreciate that you point out he needs to not only improve his defense (we all say that) but also his finishing around the rim (we haven't been saying that).

Solid reply here.

1. You're right about DWhite and the potential amorphous nature of primary playmaker here. I suppose how I should've phrased my comment is "upgrade any starting spot that is not JT, JB, and White. Because those 3 are going to play the most minutes. That likely means Pritchard, and Neemy. So if Simons get moved at all, IMHO, it has to be for a player who is better than either one of these two. Barring that, if I'm Brad, I re-upp him as well but not for 50% of his current value. It's not just about Simons the player. It's also about maintaining that salary slot as a tradeable asset. I'm doing 3/75 and aand telling Joe to do whatever he can to help rehab this kid's value and make a real player out of him: either one we can keep, or one good enough with a couple of years left on his deal that we could move for something else later.

2. You could always turn Simons I suppose into 1 competent bench player for a team looking to tear it all down I suppose. The problem with trying to move him is that any team looking at him, could simply go in a cheaper direction at the deadline and then try to get him at a much less expensive MLE-ish number in the offseason (exactly the kind of deal you were talking about).

[Bad-Thoma]

I see two reasons why guys get signed to contracts:

1. The team believes in you; wants to invest in your improvement and being a part of the team
2. Asset retention. Teams simply don't want to lose an asset for nothing when it can be utilized down the road.

Every GM balances these reasons with every re-signing and extension. Re-signing Simons at the end of the year to a salary slot similar to his current deal is a great way to invest in a player as he's entering his prime (if he improves on his defense and his finishing at the rim), and it also keeps an asset that we traded Jrue for under our roof until he can either be helpful here or in a trade. Point is, in no way should we just let his contract just fall off at the end of the year when it could still be helpful in a number of ways. This is why Brad said we're only making trades for upgrades. There are only 2 starting positions on this team in line for an upgrade: PG and C. And how many big upgrades are even going to be available during this season? Someone paint me a picture of the profile of a team willing to trade for Simons this season. Not seeing it.

Great post; two thoughts:

1. I think Derrick is the PG. Joe called him "my point guard" for the last two seasons, and he really was -- even next to Jrue -- even though we never really talked about it that way. I mean, partly because Tatum played 'point' more than anyone. This season if Derrick and Payton start I expect it to remain unclear who is PG and who is SG and that's fine.

2. I can imagine DAL or LAC making a semi-desperate move for Simons this season. DAL: let's say AD is healthy, Flagg is great and playing PF, and young guys like Christie are playing well -- but Klay and/or Kyrie are struggling. Maybe they send PF Washington and Klay for Simons and at least one first. I think that's a pretty bad trade for both teams, and contingent on a lot of 'what if?' but I can imagine it.

LAC I see as 'all-in' enough on their old guy roster that if they get to midseason and surprise surprise aren't getting what they expected from Bradley Beal, they could theoretically package Bogdanovic and one or more minor salaries to trade for Simons. Again: would be stupid, but can imagine this -- without us having to attach any pick(s).

Then there's always SAC -- just because.

But I agree that trading Simons seems less than likely, and my current thought is to see how he fits, and then consider re-upping him around (maybe slightly above?) the non-taxpayer MLE next summer (projected to be $15M). I appreciate that you point out he needs to not only improve his defense (we all say that) but also his finishing around the rim (we haven't been saying that).

Solid reply here.

1. You're right about DWhite and the potential amorphous nature of primary playmaker here. I suppose how I should've phrased my comment is "upgrade any starting spot that is not JT, JB, and White. Because those 3 are going to play the most minutes. That likely means Pritchard, and Neemy. So if Simons get moved at all, IMHO, it has to be for a player who is better than either one of these two. Barring that, if I'm Brad, I re-upp him as well but not for 50% of his current value. It's not just about Simons the player. It's also about maintaining that salary slot as a tradeable asset. I'm doing 3/75 and aand telling Joe to do whatever he can to help rehab this kid's value and make a real player out of him: either one we can keep, or one good enough with a couple of years left on his deal that we could move for something else later.

2. You could always turn Simons I suppose into 1 competent bench player for a team looking to tear it all down I suppose. The problem with trying to move him is that any team looking at him, could simply go in a cheaper direction at the deadline and then try to get him at a much less expensive MLE-ish number in the offseason (exactly the kind of deal you were talking about).

You're probably right about not letting him walk, it would be a poor use of an asset if the ownership is willing to spend to go all in again with a healthy JT. Outside of the core group individual salaries drop off very fast, it'd be good to have his salary to use in combination with other assets if the opportunity to upgrade arises. Volume shooting, weak D guards might not be in vogue but a guy that can get you 20 has value still and your suggested 25M contract is pretty fair. Like anyone on the Trailblazers I've seen very little of him actually playing, it'll be interesting to see how he adjusts defensively.

[Bad-Thoma]

everyone knows God keeps a separate book for those who post quality GIFs, and that the GIF-ers will inherit the Earth

[31to6]

[playa-hater]

everyone knows God keeps a separate book for those who post quality GIFs, and that the GIF-ers will inherit the Earth

God, I hope not.. I would be so screwed ... unless these count >

[Hal14]

Volume shooting, weak D guards might not be in vogue but a guy that can get you 20 has value still and your suggested 25M contract is pretty fair.

Yup..guys who can get you 20 PPG don't grow on trees.

Here's the list of players to average 19+ PPG and 36% or higher from deep in each of the last 3 seasons:

Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Kyrie Irving
Donovan Mitchell
Jalen Brunson
Jamal Murray
CJ McCollum
Desmond Bane
Tyrese Maxey
Paul George
Kawhi Leonard
Anfernee Simons
Tyler Herro

If we lower the PPG threshold to 18 PPG, we also get Darius Garland. That's 14 players. All of them are good players. Most of them make way more $ than Simons.

Out of 14 players, the only elite defender here is Kawhi. PG and Bane are good defenders. The rest are all pretty suspect defenders. That just comes with the territory with guys who are volume scorers and efficiency 3 pt shooters. You can't have it all - gotta take the good with the bad.

[Larry_Russell]

So now Simons is rubbing shoulders with Mitchell, Durant, Brunson, George, Kawhi and curry.

Got it


The train has officially gone off the **** rails.

[Hal14]

So now Simons is rubbing shoulders with Mitchell, Durant, Brunson, George, Kawhi and curry.

Got it


The train has officially gone off the **** rails.

Not what I said at all.

I simply posted data - cold hard facts.

Also, it's interesting that you cherry picked those 5 names out of a list of 14.

[fallguy]

It would be nuts to sign Simons at anything near his current salary.

[phincsfan]

It would be nuts to sign Simons at anything near his current salary.

Nembhard got 3yr/60mil and he's a 10ppg

If Simons scores his averages this season I think a team will pay him.