Boston - Chicago - Milwaukee - Portland

[Village Idiot]

Boston trades:

Anfernee Simons
2026 1st to Chicago - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Boston receives:

Robert Williams III

The Celtics bring back an old core piece and regain some positional balance while strengthing thier pathetic frontcourt. The impact on the books is even more important to Brad Stevens and the new owners. They get under the salary cap, saving over $50 million and resetting the repeater tax. Tatum should be back at full strength in 2026-27 so the pick should land in the 20s.

Chicago trades:

Patrick Williams
Portland 1st returned

Chicago receives:

Kyle Kuzma
2026 1st from Boston - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Chicago moves one crappy player on a long-term salary for another crappy player (who also seems to be a drama queen) on a shorter contract and, in all likelihood gets a chance at a higher pick than what they would get from the Blazers if the Celtics don´t rebound in 2027.

Milwaukee trades:

Kyle Kuzma
Tyler Smith

Milwaukee recieves:

Anfernee Simons

The Bucks back-court sucks. This balances the roster and gets rid of the glut at PF. Simons lead the league in wide-open three point percentage a couple of years ago. Since then he has developed into more than a shooter. You don´t have to squint hard to see the unstoppable force of a Simons/Giannis pick-and-roll.


Portland trades:

Robert Williams III

Portland receives:

Patrick Williams
Tyler Smith
Portland 1st returned

Portland gets its first back and a prospect in return for taking on more money and enterng the tax

[JRoy]

Seems pretty stiff for BOS and MIL gives straight garbage for an upgrade.

[nolian]

too much favoreble for Portland

GWIII is injury prone
trade him for PatWilliams (also if he is overpaid) it's already ok

the trade is not good for Boston

however i like the idea

[BK_2020]

Chicago's not eating Kuzma for a 1st and a swap that will not convey.

[giberish]

The pick value Boston looks kind of valuable at 1st but it probably ends up being nothing at all.

Mil gets a better player on a better contract for free.

Portland gets their pick back but it is lotto protected and having to eat all of those extra years on Pat Williams deal will cause financial problems. I strongly doubt they'd consider this.

Chicago loses on the pick value but gets out of the last 2 years of Pat Williams deal which is useful. Reasonable value though they may or may not agree.

[ChettheJet]

Picks and playerwise it seems even for the Bulls, maybe even in their favor. I wouldn't do it

Yes getting the certain pick for the who knows? PORT pick is very good

BUT Kuzma is a bit of a selfish player who puts up his best numbers on bad teams and he's got two years on his contract. If he's a 4 then he's not going to play much behind Buzellis, if he's a 3 then he probably takes shots away from Buzellis and nobody wants that. Then they're paying him more than Williams and they have Isaac Okoro not playing much so why did they give up Lonzo Ball to get him? Put down Williams as much as you want if it makes you feel good but nobody says that he's not a team first guy or that he's a bad teammate however he's playing.

On paper sure the Bulls want the pick either year it shows up but Kuzma isn't a big positive on the depth chart or floor for 2 years and $20M+ a year.

[DiegoChara]

Not a fan for Portland. That Pat Williams contract is pretty onerous

[JRoy]

He wouldn’t even be the first F off the bench.

[Gant]

Since Rob Williams doesn't play, this deal doesn't help the Celtics frontcourt. It also doesn't reset their repeater tax. Boston would have to stay below the line again in 26-27, which they can't do since they want to compete that season.

They lose a good offensive player, gain really nothing, and give up a draft pick to do it. Not wise. They should just continue to stay patient with Simons and see how his value (both as a player and in trades) develops as the season goes on.

Brad Stevens has repeatedly said that flexibility is the priority. Giving up a first rounder reduces flexibility.


This picture from yesterday makes it look a lot like Simons is going to be playing for the Celtics.

‪Bobby Krivitsky‬

With training camp on the horizon, Anfernee Simons is among those putting in work at the Auerbach Center.

[redslastlaugh]

I like this idea overall. I don't think Patrick Williams would be involved in a trade like this, I don't think BOS is giving that much draft capital to flip Simons for Robwill, and I don't think Portland is going to go into the tax

But i like the idea, maybe change out some of the pieces tho but the general framework of Kuz, Rob, Ant being re-arranged seems reasonable

Boston trades:

Anfernee Simons
2026 1st to Chicago - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Boston receives:

Robert Williams III

The Celtics bring back an old core piece and regain some positional balance while strengthing thier pathetic frontcourt. The impact on the books is even more important to Brad Stevens and the new owners. They get under the salary cap, saving over $50 million and resetting the repeater tax. Tatum should be back at full strength in 2026-27 so the pick should land in the 20s.

Chicago trades:

Patrick Williams
Portland 1st returned

Chicago receives:

Kyle Kuzma
2026 1st from Boston - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Chicago moves one crappy player on a long-term salary for another crappy player (who also seems to be a drama queen) on a shorter contract and, in all likelihood gets a chance at a higher pick than what they would get from the Blazers if the Celtics don´t rebound in 2027.

Milwaukee trades:

Kyle Kuzma
Tyler Smith

Milwaukee recieves:

Anfernee Simons

The Bucks back-court sucks. This balances the roster and gets rid of the glut at PF. Simons lead the league in wide-open three point percentage a couple of years ago. Since then he has developed into more than a shooter. You don´t have to squint hard to see the unstoppable force of a Simons/Giannis pick-and-roll.


Portland trades:

Robert Williams III

Portland receives:

Patrick Williams
Tyler Smith
Portland 1st returned

Portland gets its first back and a prospect in return for taking on more money and enterng the tax

[JRoy]

I like this idea overall. I don't think Patrick Williams would be involved in a trade like this, I don't think BOS is giving that much draft capital to flip Simons for Robwill, and I don't think Portland is going to go into the tax

But i like the idea, maybe change out some of the pieces tho but the general framework of Kuz, Rob, Ant being re-arranged seems reasonable

Boston trades:

Anfernee Simons
2026 1st to Chicago - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Boston receives:

Robert Williams III

The Celtics bring back an old core piece and regain some positional balance while strengthing thier pathetic frontcourt. The impact on the books is even more important to Brad Stevens and the new owners. They get under the salary cap, saving over $50 million and resetting the repeater tax. Tatum should be back at full strength in 2026-27 so the pick should land in the 20s.

Chicago trades:

Patrick Williams
Portland 1st returned

Chicago receives:

Kyle Kuzma
2026 1st from Boston - lottery protected, top 3 protected swap in 2027

Chicago moves one crappy player on a long-term salary for another crappy player (who also seems to be a drama queen) on a shorter contract and, in all likelihood gets a chance at a higher pick than what they would get from the Blazers if the Celtics don´t rebound in 2027.

Milwaukee trades:

Kyle Kuzma
Tyler Smith

Milwaukee recieves:

Anfernee Simons

The Bucks back-court sucks. This balances the roster and gets rid of the glut at PF. Simons lead the league in wide-open three point percentage a couple of years ago. Since then he has developed into more than a shooter. You don´t have to squint hard to see the unstoppable force of a Simons/Giannis pick-and-roll.


Portland trades:

Robert Williams III

Portland receives:

Patrick Williams
Tyler Smith
Portland 1st returned

Portland gets its first back and a prospect in return for taking on more money and enterng the tax

PORs not taking Kuzma without real compensation.

[redslastlaugh]

I like this idea overall. I don't think Patrick Williams would be involved in a trade like this, I don't think BOS is giving that much draft capital to flip Simons for Robwill, and I don't think Portland is going to go into the tax

But i like the idea, maybe change out some of the pieces tho but the general framework of Kuz, Rob, Ant being re-arranged seems reasonable

PORs not taking Kuzma without real compensation.

lol, yea, wouldnt think so.
The construction batted around in another thread was Kuz to Utah, Nurk to POR, Ant to MIL, Robwill to BOS
and then some ancillary pieces, 2nd round picks, draft rights, minimum contract players, etc as needed

The idea for Portland is that Nurk is pretty washed but at least he'd be medically available and with Clingan/Yang, you'd need a more structurally sound primary backup than RWIII and that Reath isn't necessarily him... but I don't know, would Portland want to flip Rob for Nurk??

[JRoy]

I like this idea overall. I don't think Patrick Williams would be involved in a trade like this, I don't think BOS is giving that much draft capital to flip Simons for Robwill, and I don't think Portland is going to go into the tax

But i like the idea, maybe change out some of the pieces tho but the general framework of Kuz, Rob, Ant being re-arranged seems reasonable

PORs not taking Kuzma without real compensation.

lol, yea, wouldnt think so.
The construction batted around in another thread was Kuz to Utah, Nurk to POR, Ant to MIL, Robwill to BOS
and then some ancillary pieces, 2nd round picks, draft rights, minimum contract players, etc as needed

The idea for Portland is that Nurk is pretty washed but at least he'd be medically available and with Clingan/Yang, you'd need a more structurally sound primary backup than RWIII and that Reath isn't necessarily him... but I don't know, would Portland want to flip Rob for Nurk??

I like Nurk but a lot of people don’t.

Not sure he is a better vet mentor than RW but he might be more available to play.

[Myth]

I think Portland would have to be pretty high on Tyler Smith to accept this, because I’m not convinced getting the already protected pick back is worth PWill’s contract especially given it puts them in the tax in addition to the usual long term contract concerns.

[brackdan70]

Hell no from Boston. Two picks for Williams?
You have to take this back to the drawing board.
Some seconds from Boston would be closer.

[brackdan70]

Shouldn’t the Bucks be the ones sending out assets here?

[djFan71]

Hell no from Boston. Two picks for Williams?
You have to take this back to the drawing board.
Some seconds from Boston would be closer.

I think it's only 1. The 2027 is what happens if 2026 doesn't convey, if I'm reading OP correctly.

But, at most it needs to start at the 2027 lotto protected and going immediately to 2 seconds if not conveyed. And, even then it's a lot to pay for a salary dump and Rob back. But it's closer. Not worth giving up a teens pick in 2026, DEFINTELY not worth a chance at swapping #4 in 2027, regardless how small.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

What would Boston give to get out of the tax? I can see that costing them a first, but maybe Gonzalez would be enough? I do think this is too good for Milwaukee, they owe something.

Boston trades Simons, Gonzalez for Huerter - get themselves out of the tax.

Milwuakee trades Kuzma, seconds for Simons - take on some salary but get an expiring contract and a better shooter

Chicago trades Huerter for Kuzma, Gonzalez, second rounders - pick up a prospect and some draft assets to eat an extra year on Kuzma

Cut Portland out and simplify the deal a little bit?

[brackdan70]

What would Boston give to get out of the tax? I can see that costing them a first, but maybe Gonzalez would be enough? I do think this is too good for Milwaukee, they owe something.

Boston trades Simons, Gonzalez for Huerter - get themselves out of the tax.

Milwuakee trades Kuzma, seconds for Simons - take on some salary but get an expiring contract and a better shooter

Chicago trades Huerter for Kuzma, Gonzalez, second rounders - pick up a prospect and some draft assets to eat an extra year on Kuzma

Cut Portland out and simplify the deal a little bit?

Boston has said all along that the goal was to get under the 2nd Apron. It’s done. They have a path to get under the tax next year. There is no urgency to get under the tax this year. Sure if they can they will but they are not giving up a first or Gonzales simply to get under the tax. I could see them attaching a first to Simons to get a useful player in return that can help when Tatum is back. I’d say the 2026 first is virtually off the table though unless it’s a very solid guy coming back. 2026 is a great draft and the Celtics likely pick before 20.

[redslastlaugh]

What would Boston give to get out of the tax? I can see that costing them a first, but maybe Gonzalez would be enough? I do think this is too good for Milwaukee, they owe something.

Boston trades Simons, Gonzalez for Huerter - get themselves out of the tax.

Milwuakee trades Kuzma, seconds for Simons - take on some salary but get an expiring contract and a better shooter

Chicago trades Huerter for Kuzma, Gonzalez, second rounders - pick up a prospect and some draft assets to eat an extra year on Kuzma

Cut Portland out and simplify the deal a little bit?

Boston has said all along that the goal was to get under the 2nd Apron. It’s done. They have a path to get under the tax next year. There is no urgency to get under the tax this year. Sure if they can they will but they are not giving up a first or Gonzales simply to get under the tax. I could see them attaching a first to Simons to get a useful player in return that can help when Tatum is back. I’d say the 2026 first is virtually off the table though unless it’s a very solid guy coming back. 2026 is a great draft and the Celtics likely pick before 20.

Milwaukee trading Kuzma is trading the absolute worst non-rookie in the NBA last year & how choosy can they be? I wouldn't even put it in terms of taking on money or improved shooting. Kuzma was bar none the worst player in the NBA last year >21 yrs of age and he is due roughly $20 this year and $20 next and Milwaukee does not have a single 2nd to trade.

I don't even know if Simons even fits on their roster as is, but having Kuzma on the team is just a problem with Giannis being a potential flight risk

I doubt Brad wants to trade Hugo a few weeks after drafting him, just dont see it. But Simons + Hugo for Huerter opens a roster spot, I'd have to do the math, but even elevating Amari or Shulga which would be the absolute cheapest way to get to 14, that may put them right back in the tax