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

[Larry_Russell]

Read on Twitter

****, GSW going all in on 1 last ride.

Love it.


Steph
BP
Jimmy
Draymond
Horford

Keep healthy and load managed till playoffs and that is a filthy team

[playa-hater]

Even though I hope Al plays well, I will never, ever, pull for GS... Unless of course they play LAL

sorry Al.

[Fierce1]

Al is making a big mistake.

GSW, in 2026, will be like the 2012-13 Celtics that got eliminated in the 1st rnd.

Let's be objective here. Steph/Butler/Draymond are much more likely to be title contenders this season than Brown/White/Pritchard.

I thank Al for what he's done for the Celtics and the city of Boston and wish him luck.

All 3 players you mentioned are old.

Didn't Steph miss the last 4 games in the west semis?

It's not their ability, it's their age.

[165bows]

Yeah best of luck to Al but it's tough to load manage an entire starting lineup.

Team needs some depth bad, maybe they want to give up something cool for Simons, Tillman who can load manage with everyone else and some irrelevant young guys.

Edit: is that legit even? I see nothing on SI's twitter.

[Fierce1]

By the time the playoffs start, Steph will be 38, Dray and Jimmy will be 36.

GSW will be the ICU Warriors in 2026.

[Shak_Celts]

I love me some Al, but please let us make it further than GSW!! It can be just like the Philly mistake!!

There are only a few west teams I want GSW over, Lakers, Houston, and Minny. The only one I don’t care a lot about is Minny, but I always want Ant to lose after dissing Tat. AuDHD makes me forget grudges, but there are about a handful I hold close!

[Hal14]

Al is making a big mistake.

GSW, in 2026, will be like the 2012-13 Celtics that got eliminated in the 1st rnd.

Let's be objective here. Steph/Butler/Draymond are much more likely to be title contenders this season than Brown/White/Pritchard.

I thank Al for what he's done for the Celtics and the city of Boston and wish him luck.

All 3 players you mentioned are old.

Didn't Steph miss the last 4 games in the west semis?

It's not their ability, it's their age.

I mean, I'm not picking them to win the title.

OKC is gonna go back to back, if healthy.

After OKC in the west, it's pretty loaded with MIN, DEN, clippers, warriors, rockets..then lakers. All those teams are much closer to competing for a title than Boston.

[bucknersrevenge]

The Celtics already have Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard handling creation and shooting.
Simons is an offense-first combo guard who overlaps heavily with Pritchard in role, but at a much higher salary.
His strengths (shot-making, pull-up threes) don’t address Boston’s needs as much as additional size, defense, or playmaking.


Boston’s identity is built on elite switchable defense.
Simons is one of the worst defensive guards in the league — small for a shooting guard, often targeted in mismatches.
Simons will tank their perimeter defense.

Boston’s biggest offensive weakness has been late-game half-court creation and playmaking under pressure.
Simons is more of a scorer than a facilitator — he’s closer to a microwave bucket-getter than a true floor general.
This doesn’t solve the “who runs the offense when defenses load up on Tatum/Brown” problem.



In short: he’s a “good stats (almost), bad fit” guy for a team that’s in championship-or-bust mode.


Simons is talented, but his weaknesses (defense, playmaking, contract) directly clash with what the Celtics need. Trading for him would mean paying a premium for a redundancy while sacrificing the identity that makes Boston great.

Brad looked at all that and said "Yep I still want him". Didn't need him. Could've waited to move Jrue. Took this supposed "bad fit" anyway.

[Fierce1]

Let's be objective here. Steph/Butler/Draymond are much more likely to be title contenders this season than Brown/White/Pritchard.

I thank Al for what he's done for the Celtics and the city of Boston and wish him luck.

All 3 players you mentioned are old.

Didn't Steph miss the last 4 games in the west semis?

It's not their ability, it's their age.

I mean, I'm not picking them to win the title.

OKC is gonna go back to back, if healthy.

After OKC in the west, it's pretty loaded with MIN, DEN, clippers, warriors, rockets..then lakers. All those teams are much closer to competing for a title than Boston.

I'm not saying Al made a mistake by not coming back to Boston.

Al should have picked another contender.

This will be like Jason Terry joining the Celtics in 2012-13.

[Hal14]

Boston’s biggest offensive weakness has been late-game half-court creation and playmaking under pressure.

Read on Twitter

/video/1

Simons is more of a scorer than a facilitator — he’s closer to a microwave bucket-getter than a true floor general.
This doesn’t solve the “who runs the offense when defenses load up on Tatum/Brown” problem.

Not saying he's a "true floor general". Those don't really exist anymore. This isn't 1992. We've been in the era of score-first guards for awhile now.

However, Simons' career-high assist % is higher than anyone else on our current roster - and that's when he was on a Portland team with much worse scoring/shooting talent than Boston, so it's harder to get assists on a team like the Blazers.

Here's some nice passing by him though, just in 1 game I watched:

Read on Twitter

Playmaking talent = 88th percentile, gravity = 97th percentile

Read on Twitter

[jmr07019]

The Celtics already have Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard handling creation and shooting.
Simons is an offense-first combo guard who overlaps heavily with Pritchard in role, but at a much higher salary.
His strengths (shot-making, pull-up threes) don’t address Boston’s needs as much as additional size, defense, or playmaking.


Boston’s identity is built on elite switchable defense.
Simons is one of the worst defensive guards in the league — small for a shooting guard, often targeted in mismatches.
Simons will tank their perimeter defense.

Boston’s biggest offensive weakness has been late-game half-court creation and playmaking under pressure.
Simons is more of a scorer than a facilitator — he’s closer to a microwave bucket-getter than a true floor general.
This doesn’t solve the “who runs the offense when defenses load up on Tatum/Brown” problem.



In short: he’s a “good stats (almost), bad fit” guy for a team that’s in championship-or-bust mode.


Simons is talented, but his weaknesses (defense, playmaking, contract) directly clash with what the Celtics need. Trading for him would mean paying a premium for a redundancy while sacrificing the identity that makes Boston great.

We obviously disagree on Simons and that’s fine. I’m curious where you see the Celtics in the eastern conference standings assuming Simons remains on the team.

Do you think Philly (Embiid’s already struggling with health) is better than Boston?

Toronto? I know Boston got worse and Toronto is supposedly better but there’s a 31 win gap that needs to be closed.

What about Indy who was 11 wins worse than Boston and also lost their best player and starting center?

Brooklyn Charlotte and Washington don’t really look like they’re trying to win. Do you have Boston above those teams?

[Larry_Russell]

The Celtics already have Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard handling creation and shooting.
Simons is an offense-first combo guard who overlaps heavily with Pritchard in role, but at a much higher salary.
His strengths (shot-making, pull-up threes) don’t address Boston’s needs as much as additional size, defense, or playmaking.


Boston’s identity is built on elite switchable defense.
Simons is one of the worst defensive guards in the league — small for a shooting guard, often targeted in mismatches.
Simons will tank their perimeter defense.

Boston’s biggest offensive weakness has been late-game half-court creation and playmaking under pressure.
Simons is more of a scorer than a facilitator — he’s closer to a microwave bucket-getter than a true floor general.
This doesn’t solve the “who runs the offense when defenses load up on Tatum/Brown” problem.



In short: he’s a “good stats (almost), bad fit” guy for a team that’s in championship-or-bust mode.


Simons is talented, but his weaknesses (defense, playmaking, contract) directly clash with what the Celtics need. Trading for him would mean paying a premium for a redundancy while sacrificing the identity that makes Boston great.

We obviously disagree on Simons and that’s fine. I’m curious where you see the Celtics in the eastern conference standings assuming Simons remains on the team.

Do you think Philly (Embiid’s already struggling with health) is better than Boston?

Toronto? I know Boston got worse and Toronto is supposedly better but there’s a 31 win gap that needs to be closed.

What about Indy who was 11 wins worse than Boston and also lost their best player and starting center?

Brooklyn Charlotte and Washington don’t really look like they’re trying to win. Do you have Boston above those teams?

This team, WITH Tatum has ZERO chance to make it out of the east.

AS currently constructed without tatum we are in play in range, which is a worse case scenario. We want to suck bad this season.




Simons will certainly help with that assuming that we rest White and Brown as much as possible to not wear them out.



Cavs
Knicks
Magic
Hawks
Pistons
Toronto

are all clearly ahead of the Celtics


Bucks should be
76ers should be


Pacers when Hali returns is 100% better, with Hali out, same level

Wouldn't be surprised to see them better, but probably not barring a deal, or big internal growth
Miami
Hornets

[Larry_Russell]

Boston’s biggest offensive weakness has been late-game half-court creation and playmaking under pressure.

Read on Twitter

/video/1

Simons is more of a scorer than a facilitator — he’s closer to a microwave bucket-getter than a true floor general.
This doesn’t solve the “who runs the offense when defenses load up on Tatum/Brown” problem.

Not saying he's a "true floor general". Those don't really exist anymore. This isn't 1992. We've been in the era of score-first guards for awhile now.

However, Simons' career-high assist % is higher than anyone else on our current roster - and that's when he was on a Portland team with much worse scoring/shooting talent than Boston, so it's harder to get assists on a team like the Blazers.

Here's some nice passing by him though, just in 1 game I watched:

Read on Twitter

Playmaking talent = 88th percentile, gravity = 97th percentile

Read on Twitter

You keep posting the same single clip, over and over. Is this now 30 or more times?

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Well Boston or the Warriors have no shot at a title but at least it is warmer in Oakland? Boston is a play-in team, but if the warriors can somehow stay healthy and have a full season of Butler I can see them as a 5th or 6th seed.

[Larry_Russell]

Well Boston or the Warriors have no shot at a title but at least it is warmer in Oakland? Boston is a play-in team, but if the warriors can somehow stay healthy and have a full season of Butler I can see them as a 5th or 6th seed.

Warriors only need to be winners for 17-18 games in the play-in and the playoffs themselves. That team can do that. are they a real threat? no, but they have the pieces if the cards fall in their favor.

[celtxman]

Reminder: Portland traded Simons away mostly because it's rumoured that he wants a significant raise.

Unless he turns into a different player, Simons will be here for a cup of coffee or two, that's it.

Why the Blazers Traded Anfernee Simons
1. Clearing the Path for Scoot Henderson & Youth Development

Building around Henderson and Sharpe: Portland selected Scoot Henderson with a top pick in 2023 to be a long-term franchise point guard. Anfernee Simons’ presence was limiting Henderson’s growth as the offensive focal point. Moving Simons opens up significant playing time and shot opportunities for Scoot and Shaedon Sharpe.

Vision for the future: The front office’s intent has been clear—shape the roster around its young core and re-evaluate supporting pieces accordingly.

2. Simons’ Contract Situation and Trade Value

Expiring contract: Simons’ deal expires after next season, making him a short-term asset whose trade value is maximized now rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Value timing: As a high-scoring guard, Simons draws attention and interest around the league. Portland capitalized by securing a return while his stock was relatively high.

3. Shifting Team Identity Toward Defense and Veteran Leadership

Defense-first philosophy: Portland wanted to reinforce a defensive mindset. By bringing in veteran Jrue Holiday—an All-Defensive team regular—they aimed to anchor this emerging identity while still evaluating youth.

Mentorship: Holiday's experience could offer mentorship and stability for the younger guards even as they rebuild.

4. Simons’s Desire to Win

Personal motivation: Simons was vocal about wanting to compete. In interviews, he expressed frustration with the team’s direction and a desire for better opportunities to win. That made a trade to a contender like Boston not just logical, but perhaps welcomed by Simons himself.

Summing It Up

The Blazers’ trade of Anfernee Simons to the Celtics can be understood as a strategic roadmap for the future:

-Empower their young core by freeing up space and opportunities.
-Manage future risk via an evolving salary structure.
-Reinforce a developing identity built on defense and structure.
-Respect a veteran player’s need for competitive opportunities.

I don't necessarily have an issue with Simons, the player. My issue is that it is still seems like he is on the market and if they have their choice they would give him up for no assets if they didn't take back salary. So on the one hand, if they wanted him - swell - have a nice press conference and work on getting a real NBA big man. If they were just looking to get out of the last two seasons of Jrue's contract then mission accomplished.
My thought is that it is easier to get a diamond in the rough, guard, cheaper, than a quality big man. Maybe that's the direction.
A lot depends on Simons salary desires. Let's say he plays great and wants more money. Or would he sign a 3 year $70m type contract.
I have no problems taking Simons in that trade. As much as I love Jrue he wasn’t as good as he was the season before and his nagging injuries will only get worse with age and that doesn't line up with Tatum. So I'm not giving up on Simons, but I'm not excited yet either due to circumstances.

[celtxman]

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

I think there is close to 0% chance Celtics would ever resign Simons, but you already know that I suspect.

I misread what you said and +1 this. I don't think it is 0% , but it seems to be low. If he plays well then I think he wants more money and isn't staying. If he plays poorly, then why would we want him. The 3rd option, which is low percentage but not 0%, is he plays well,, likes it here and will sign a team friendly contract

[jmr07019]

Simons walking would be bad for the Celtics. Celtics need that salary slot whether the money is paid to Anfernee or someone else. If Simons walks the Celtics do not have other salaries to aggregate for a trade. They would have Pritchard, Hauser and rookie contract guys. Thats not enough.

[Parliament10]

Yeah best of luck to Al but it's tough to load manage an entire starting lineup.

Team needs some depth bad, maybe they want to give up something cool for Simons, Tillman who can load manage with everyone else and some irrelevant young guys.

Edit: is that legit even? I see nothing on SI's twitter.

I think that the Al Horford report is not legit.
I need to see it come from Horford himself, and/or other credible sources.

[Fierce1]

Simons walking would be bad for the Celtics. Celtics need that salary slot whether the money is paid to Anfernee or someone else. If Simons walks the Celtics do not have other salaries to aggregate for a trade. They would have Pritchard, Hauser and rookie contract guys. Thats not enough.

Cs have a 22m TPE from the KP trade.