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

[brackdan70]

Plus simply entertainment value on my end keep him for three months and just see what happens. That angle seems more fun than just salary dumping him for some cheap old guy or flier or whatever in September.

I wouldn't mind seeing what a team that has Tatum, Brown, White, Simons, Pritchard, Queta, Boucher and Hauser can do.

There's a non-zero % chance that team could win a championship.

We would likely be the favorites to win the east in 2027. And perhaps by that time OKC has had to move some of their key guys because of the 2nd apron could make it hard to keep their guys together..

And before anyone says "oh, they'd give up 150 points a game" well, out of those 8 guys, only 1 of them is a subpar defender (Simons), you've got an all-defensive guy (White), a borderline all-defense guy (Tatum), a guy who shut down Luka defensively in the finals and (when he's locked in) is a very good defender (JB).

Simons could improve defensively in a different environment and with more development/coaching.

And think about how potentially explosive that squad could be offensively. Pritchard/Hauser/Boucher off the bench, coming in to bring energy, getting after it on D and hitting 3's. Queta (22 mins) and Boucher (22 MPG) isn't an ideal center rotation but the hope is they could be serviceable enough while there's also a chance that someone like Garza, Amari or a guy we draft in the 1st round of the 2026 draft could end up being a solid rotational big as well.

Then of course there's a chance that 1 of Hugo/Baylor/Minott/Walsh ends up being a really solid 8th/9th man..

I get the reasons for trading Simons. But there's also a world where he fits well here, puts up some big numbers, signs a team friendly 3 year contract and helps us win Banner 19 imo.

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

[Larry_Russell]

Plus simply entertainment value on my end keep him for three months and just see what happens. That angle seems more fun than just salary dumping him for some cheap old guy or flier or whatever in September.

I wouldn't mind seeing what a team that has Tatum, Brown, White, Simons, Pritchard, Queta, Boucher and Hauser can do.

There's a non-zero % chance that team could win a championship.

We would likely be the favorites to win the east in 2027. And perhaps by that time OKC has had to move some of their key guys because of the 2nd apron could make it hard to keep their guys together..

And before anyone says "oh, they'd give up 150 points a game" well, out of those 8 guys, only 1 of them is a subpar defender (Simons), you've got an all-defensive guy (White), a borderline all-defense guy (Tatum), a guy who shut down Luka defensively in the finals and (when he's locked in) is a very good defender (JB).

Simons could improve defensively in a different environment and with more development/coaching.

And think about how potentially explosive that squad could be offensively. Pritchard/Hauser/Boucher off the bench, coming in to bring energy, getting after it on D and hitting 3's. Queta (22 mins) and Boucher (22 MPG) isn't an ideal center rotation but the hope is they could be serviceable enough while there's also a chance that someone like Garza, Amari or a guy we draft in the 1st round of the 2026 draft could end up being a solid rotational big as well.

Then of course there's a chance that 1 of Hugo/Baylor/Minott/Walsh ends up being a really solid 8th/9th man..

I get the reasons for trading Simons. But there's also a world where he fits well here, puts up some big numbers, signs a team friendly 3 year contract and helps us win Banner 19 imo.

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

[GoCeltics123]

Marc Stein said Celtics and Knicks showed the most interest in Ben Simmons but he’s considering retiring b/c both sound like they offered minimums

[bucknersrevenge]

I wouldn't mind seeing what a team that has Tatum, Brown, White, Simons, Pritchard, Queta, Boucher and Hauser can do.

There's a non-zero % chance that team could win a championship.

We would likely be the favorites to win the east in 2027. And perhaps by that time OKC has had to move some of their key guys because of the 2nd apron could make it hard to keep their guys together..

And before anyone says "oh, they'd give up 150 points a game" well, out of those 8 guys, only 1 of them is a subpar defender (Simons), you've got an all-defensive guy (White), a borderline all-defense guy (Tatum), a guy who shut down Luka defensively in the finals and (when he's locked in) is a very good defender (JB).

Simons could improve defensively in a different environment and with more development/coaching.

And think about how potentially explosive that squad could be offensively. Pritchard/Hauser/Boucher off the bench, coming in to bring energy, getting after it on D and hitting 3's. Queta (22 mins) and Boucher (22 MPG) isn't an ideal center rotation but the hope is they could be serviceable enough while there's also a chance that someone like Garza, Amari or a guy we draft in the 1st round of the 2026 draft could end up being a solid rotational big as well.

Then of course there's a chance that 1 of Hugo/Baylor/Minott/Walsh ends up being a really solid 8th/9th man..

I get the reasons for trading Simons. But there's also a world where he fits well here, puts up some big numbers, signs a team friendly 3 year contract and helps us win Banner 19 imo.

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

It's almost like you hate everything about every team we've put out every year. The stamina you have to hold this position year in and year out is breath-taking.

[Half-Full]

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

It's almost like you hate everything about every team we've put out every year. The stamina you have to hold this position year in and year out is breath-taking.

Not to mention the positing of trade ideas that have zero chances of happening.

[Fierce1]

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

It's almost like you hate everything about every team we've put out every year. The stamina you have to hold this position year in and year out is breath-taking.

Not to mention the positing of trade ideas that have zero chances of happening.

[jmr07019]

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

It's almost like you hate everything about every team we've put out every year. The stamina you have to hold this position year in and year out is breath-taking.

Not to mention the positing of trade ideas that have zero chances of happening.

This applies to most of the board, myself included

[brackdan70]

I wouldn't mind seeing what a team that has Tatum, Brown, White, Simons, Pritchard, Queta, Boucher and Hauser can do.

There's a non-zero % chance that team could win a championship.

We would likely be the favorites to win the east in 2027. And perhaps by that time OKC has had to move some of their key guys because of the 2nd apron could make it hard to keep their guys together..

And before anyone says "oh, they'd give up 150 points a game" well, out of those 8 guys, only 1 of them is a subpar defender (Simons), you've got an all-defensive guy (White), a borderline all-defense guy (Tatum), a guy who shut down Luka defensively in the finals and (when he's locked in) is a very good defender (JB).

Simons could improve defensively in a different environment and with more development/coaching.

And think about how potentially explosive that squad could be offensively. Pritchard/Hauser/Boucher off the bench, coming in to bring energy, getting after it on D and hitting 3's. Queta (22 mins) and Boucher (22 MPG) isn't an ideal center rotation but the hope is they could be serviceable enough while there's also a chance that someone like Garza, Amari or a guy we draft in the 1st round of the 2026 draft could end up being a solid rotational big as well.

Then of course there's a chance that 1 of Hugo/Baylor/Minott/Walsh ends up being a really solid 8th/9th man..

I get the reasons for trading Simons. But there's also a world where he fits well here, puts up some big numbers, signs a team friendly 3 year contract and helps us win Banner 19 imo.

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

You probably could have kept that original thought to yourself.

[bucknersrevenge]

That’s a really good team with just a couple believable ifs. Simons tightens up the D a bit. Queta improves enough to be a quality starter. Boucher can thrive in a larger role, Minotts positive impact extends to a larger role. I think that’s all realistic…now is it likely that all those things happen at once? Maybe not. But if we focus on developing this year I could see it for 26/27

If "Ifs" and "Buts" were candy and nuts we'd all have a happy Christmas.

You probably could have kept that original thought to yourself.

I've never seen anyone actually mourn being a Celtics fan to this level.

[Larry_Russell]

Soo sorry everyone.

How dare I not believe this team is going to be any good this year and that I find that simons playimg defense and all off queta, minot and boucher all become viable nba players is a big IF.

How dare I...I obviously am not a great a fan as those going off topic and attacking me in this thread

[bucknersrevenge]

Soo sorry everyone.

How dare I not believe this team is going to be any good this year and that I find that simons playimg defense and all off queta, minot and boucher all become viable nba players is a big IF.

How dare I...I obviously am not a great a fan as those going off topic and attacking me in this thread

Bro c'mon....you know this commentary is not based on this year. Or even one year. But I'll leave you alone.

[Fierce1]

And if Simons helps this team win 45-50 games then the assumption that the Celtics are going to be bad this season will make the naysayers wrong again.

Reason why free-agency and trades are fun to talk about now is because our team is in a tough spot.

One trade could change the trajectory of the season.

In pro sports, a team will always go through the process of being bad or not good, to say the least.

That doesn't mean if the team is bad the fans will also have to be bad.

What happened to just enjoying the game because we love the game?

[Curmudgeon]

They will win 45-50 games but it won't be because of Simons, whether they trade him or not.

[Fierce1]

They will win 45-50 games but it won't be because of Simons, whether they trade him or not.

You really believe 20 points per game will not have an effect on the offense?

No Simons means the Cs will just be a 38-40 win team.

That's how I see it.

Mazzulla-Ball is very dependent on the math.

Without a scoring guard like Simons combined with Tatum's absence, the Cs will struggle to score.

[Bad-Thoma]

Soo sorry everyone.

How dare I not believe this team is going to be any good this year and that I find that simons playimg defense and all off queta, minot and boucher all become viable nba players is a big IF.

How dare I...I obviously am not a great a fan as those going off topic and attacking me in this thread

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Guys don't be too harsh, Larry Russell has been known to display irrational optimism from time to time. For instance here were his thoughts at the start of the season where the Celtics won their most recent championship:
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2311146&p=108146488#p108146488

[redslastlaugh]

Here's another Anfernee Simons, cutting salary without paying draft capital idea.

Washington trades Corey Kispert, Aj Johnson, Malachi Branham and WAS receives Anfernee Simons

Boston trades Anfernee Simons and BOS receives Corey Kispert, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham

Washington moves off Kispert who is 3 years at $14 million per year, Malachi Branham who is a $5 million expiring, and AJ Johson who had an intriguing rookie season last year and will make $4 million this year.

Boston reduces salary by $8 million without trading picks, gets a look at AJ Johnson, and gets a $5 million dollar movable chip in Branham. If Celtics can use a second round draft capital to ship Branham into another teams TPE, Boston will be under the tax. Celts also get a salary ballast in Kispert's $14 million over the next couple of trade cycles to use as salary matching in potential trades.

[Fierce1]

Here's another Anfernee Simons, cutting salary without paying draft capital idea.

Washington trades Corey Kispert, Aj Johnson, Malachi Branham and WAS receives Anfernee Simons

Boston trades Anfernee Simons and BOS receives Corey Kispert, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham

Washington moves off Kispert who is 3 years at $14 million per year, Malachi Branham who is a $5 million expiring, and AJ Johson who had an intriguing rookie season last year and will make $4 million this year.

Boston reduces salary by $8 million without trading picks, gets a look at AJ Johnson, and gets a $5 million dollar movable chip in Branham. If Celtics can use a second round draft capital to ship Branham into another teams TPE, Boston will be under the tax. Celts also get a salary ballast in Kispert's $14 million over the next couple of trade cycles to use as salary matching in potential trades.

It reduces the tax bill, but if it's really just about the tax then Simons would have been long gone.

[Hal14]

Here's another Anfernee Simons, cutting salary without paying draft capital idea.

Washington trades Corey Kispert, Aj Johnson, Malachi Branham and WAS receives Anfernee Simons

Boston trades Anfernee Simons and BOS receives Corey Kispert, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham

Washington moves off Kispert who is 3 years at $14 million per year, Malachi Branham who is a $5 million expiring, and AJ Johson who had an intriguing rookie season last year and will make $4 million this year.

Boston reduces salary by $8 million without trading picks, gets a look at AJ Johnson, and gets a $5 million dollar movable chip in Branham. If Celtics can use a second round draft capital to ship Branham into another teams TPE, Boston will be under the tax. Celts also get a salary ballast in Kispert's $14 million over the next couple of trade cycles to use as salary matching in potential trades.

Why would Washington do it?

They just drafted a guy with the 6th pick overall who is pretty similar to Simons - Tre Johnson. And they traded for CJ McCollum.

I just don't see why they would do this. Out of all the players in this deal, the one Washington probably values the most is AJ Johnson.

Sure, Kispert has a few years left on his deal. But they're in the same position as a team now as they were when they signed him to that contract. It's not a bad contract. He's a decent player and he helps give them some spacing so that their younger guys have a better chance to develop into good players.

I'm sure they are probably open to moving Kispert - if it's the right deal. Like, if they are able to get an attractive amount of draft compensation. But they're not getting any draft compensation here - all their getting is a guy on an expiring contract who they probably don't want..

[bucknersrevenge]

Here's another Anfernee Simons, cutting salary without paying draft capital idea.

Washington trades Corey Kispert, Aj Johnson, Malachi Branham and WAS receives Anfernee Simons

Boston trades Anfernee Simons and BOS receives Corey Kispert, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham

Washington moves off Kispert who is 3 years at $14 million per year, Malachi Branham who is a $5 million expiring, and AJ Johson who had an intriguing rookie season last year and will make $4 million this year.

Boston reduces salary by $8 million without trading picks, gets a look at AJ Johnson, and gets a $5 million dollar movable chip in Branham. If Celtics can use a second round draft capital to ship Branham into another teams TPE, Boston will be under the tax. Celts also get a salary ballast in Kispert's $14 million over the next couple of trade cycles to use as salary matching in potential trades.

It reduces the tax bill, but if it's really just about the tax then Simons would have been long gone.

100%

If reducing the tax bill was STILL a main concern, Hauser would be gone because he's easier to trade and he fits right into MLEs.