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

[redslastlaugh]

They'd probably prefer Jrue...

Joe Cronin loves Jrue, he might not want to do it

I don't see the Rockets wanting Simons though, unless he got bought out. Not an Udoka type of guy

Hard to imagine Brad trading for another even smaller guard with more money on the books.

Yeah, it just kinda struck me as funny that Jrue would be a much better fit. But, not enough to make a serious trade proposal out of it. I'm assuming reds was just spitballing as well. That PO on FVV for 26-27 makes it pretty untenable. But fun to float ideas.

For sure, fun to float ideas, lol ... I think you're right Simons wouldnt be the fit for a team that has a tight window to make a deep run around Durant.

I think they'd rather Jrue, Derrick, or Payton over Simons because those first three guys are playoff tested. It is interesting how little ball handling HOU has now, does make you wonder if they'd consider a pick package to try to flip FVV into Derrick White? But not sure Brad would be interested and not sure when FVV could even be traded and (finally) not sure if FVV would even sign off on the trade bc I guess he has a CBA trade veto according to NBA twitter

but we are in a fallow period, so just something to think about

[Fierce1]

I don't understand the obssession with draft picks.

Draft picks usually take time to develop.

That is not where the Jays are in their careers.

We need players who are proven veterans.

Trading Simons just to get draft picks is really unrealistic.

[djFan71]

I don't understand the obssession with draft picks.

Draft picks usually take time to develop.

That is not where the Jays are in their careers.

We need players who are proven veterans.

Trading Simons just to get draft picks is really unrealistic.

I think it's only unrealistic that we'd get draft picks for Simons.

Draft picks don't have to just be used to draft - as we've seen. Brad can flip them later to acquire a vet who will help in 26-27. (I'm not saying that in the White deal scenario since he's better than any vet we could later get). But if somehow we can get equal/lesser expiring $ and a pick for Simons, I'd sign up yesterday. Or I would have already done it in July, as you like to say.

[redslastlaugh]

Draft picks are still valuable.

It's true that picks take time to develop into the prime version of themselves but they can still help a championship team just by drafting the right young player

McHale was a rookie playing 17 minutes on the '81 Celtics championship team
Sam Cassell was a rook off the bench for the 1995 Rockets
Tony Parker was a 2nd yr starter (before he could buy a beer) on the 2003 Spurs
Rondo & Powe were 2nd yr players on 2008 Celts
Christian Braun was a rookie coming off the bench for the 2023 Nuggets
Dereck Lively was an impact rookie for 2024 Mavs Finals team

none of these players were in their FINAL FORM when they were championship contributors as rookies or 2nd year players, but they still were playable, good players. And getting that championship experience early is probably a factor in WHY they became so great

And then of course, you can trade picks for sure thing vets or to get bad money off your books, like how Milwaukee acquired Jrue Holiday

But, it's pretty clear Simons isn't going to return picks if we trade him. So just answering your question in general, should Brad make a trade for picks, it probably means he traded Derrick White or Brown or Pritchard or something

I don't understand the obssession with draft picks.

We need players who are proven veterans.

Trading Simons just to get draft picks is really unrealistic.

[Fierce1]

Yeah, trading White or JB for multiple picks is more realistic because right now, no team will give the Celtics a 1st round pick for Simons.

It's just not realistic.

[Fierce1]

I was warned that talking about trading Simons is antagonistic.

Guess that changed when FVV tore his ACL because here we are again, talking about trading Simons.

I think it's very clear that no trades will be happening for the Celtics because training camp is a week away.

[Curmudgeon]

Houston could definitely use Simons, but I see no deals between Houston and Boston that make sense before 12/15, unless a team like Brooklyn brokers the transaction.

[Fierce1]

Houston could definitely use Simons, but I see no deals between Houston and Boston that make sense before 12/15, unless a team like Brooklyn brokers the transaction.

Brooklyn would have to agree to take FVV and that would mean picks going to Brooklyn, not Boston.

[Fierce1]

One of the few trades Brad will do right now is Derrick White, Simons, and 3 1st rnd picks for Giannis.

I'm sure Brad will do that trade.

You guys think Milwaukee will agree to that?

[Curmudgeon]

One of the few trades Brad will do right now is Derrick White, Simons, and 3 1st rnd picks for Giannis.

I'm sure Brad will do that trade.

You guys think Milwaukee will agree to that?

They should but they won't.
Maybe the Celtics should go after Kelly Olynyk instead.

[Jammer]

What do you guys think of:

Anfernee Simons ($27.6 M expiring) to Houston for:

Fred Van Fleet ($25 M per in 2026 & 2027)
Phoenix unprotected 2027 pick
Houston unprotected 2027 pick (can swap w/Nets)

I know the 2027 draft is supposed to blow but those 2 picks will be in the Top 10, although the 2027 is said to possibly not have a single All-Star. Thoughts???

[Jammer]

What do you guys think of:

Anfernee Simons ($27.6 M expiring) to Houston for:

Fred Van Fleet ($25 M per in 2026 & 2027)
Phoenix unprotected 2027 pick
Houston unprotected 2027 pick (can swap w/Nets)

I know the 2027 draft is supposed to blow but those 2 picks will be in the Top 10, although the 2027 is said to possibly not have a single All-Star. Thoughts???

Obviously Houston would want to extend Simons before doing this trade

[redslastlaugh]

seems too rich (by a lot) for Simons, even though FVV isn't playing this year and can opt in to $25 next ... too much, by a lot, imo

What do you guys think of:

Anfernee Simons ($27.6 M expiring) to Houston for:

Fred Van Fleet ($25 M per in 2026 & 2027)
Phoenix unprotected 2027 pick
Houston unprotected 2027 pick (can swap w/Nets)

I know the 2027 draft is supposed to blow but those 2 picks will be in the Top 10, although the 2027 is said to possibly not have a single All-Star. Thoughts???

[djFan71]

I was warned that talking about trading Simons is antagonistic.

Guess that changed when FVV tore his ACL because here we are again, talking about trading Simons.

I think it's very clear that no trades will be happening for the Celtics because training camp is a week away.

lol, as always you're slightly mis-representing things.
You got warned not for talking Simons, but for calling people out about 9/7 for about the 97th time. And saying aggregate with Tillman. Even the people that were most strident he'd be traded and mentioned waiting til teams can aggregate meant the other teams, not BOS doing the aggregating.

Personally, I'm good with a little good natured fun, but there's limits to how many times it's entertaining. And, at least get it right when you complain about the warning.

[Jammer]

seems too rich (by a lot) for Simons, even though FVV isn't playing this year and can opt in to $25 next ... too much, by a lot, imo

What do you guys think of:

Anfernee Simons ($27.6 M expiring) to Houston for:

Fred Van Fleet ($25 M per in 2026 & 2027)
Phoenix unprotected 2027 pick
Houston unprotected 2027 pick (can swap w/Nets)

I know the 2027 draft is supposed to blow but those 2 picks will be in the Top 10, although the 2027 is said to possibly not have a single All-Star. Thoughts???

If it’s too rich what about the better of Phoenix’s, Brooklyn’s or Houston’s 2027 1rst Round + Houston’s 2028 2nd Round pick? That is not too rich. Celtics should probably get one more second. You have to figure Van Fleet will only be 60 to 70% of his former self in 2027.

[Jammer]

3 out of every 10 drafts blow. 2027 is supposed to stink.

[redslastlaugh]

well, i mean I'd do it as a C's fan. I'm just saying if Houston goes into trade mode, sending out unprotected 1sts from PHX and BRK, I think they'd want a player better than Simons who hasn't even averaged double figures in the playoffs yet ...

seems too rich (by a lot) for Simons, even though FVV isn't playing this year and can opt in to $25 next ... too much, by a lot, imo

What do you guys think of:

Anfernee Simons ($27.6 M expiring) to Houston for:

Fred Van Fleet ($25 M per in 2026 & 2027)
Phoenix unprotected 2027 pick
Houston unprotected 2027 pick (can swap w/Nets)

I know the 2027 draft is supposed to blow but those 2 picks will be in the Top 10, although the 2027 is said to possibly not have a single All-Star. Thoughts???

If it’s too rich what about the better of Phoenix’s, Brooklyn’s or Houston’s 2027 1rst Round + Houston’s 2028 2nd Round pick? That is not too rich. Celtics should probably get one more second. You have to figure Van Fleet will only be 60 to 70% of his former self in 2027.

[Larry_Russell]

Wish we still had jrue to trade to houston.

Buy maybe simons works there?

Simons amd hauser
For
FVV and eason

[redslastlaugh]

Trade Idea
Due to unfortunate, season ending injury for Van Vleet:

Celts trade Anfernee Simons to Houston for FVV a First Rnd Pick and a 2nd round pick

We just accept that we are gonna be $10 in the tax and bite the bullet for some draft capital and we have FVV next year when we are trying tow in

They'd probably prefer Jrue...

If Houston decides to go all in and decides Jrue has one run left in him ... and Houston trades Van Vleet, J'Sean Tate, a first, and 2 or 3 seconds for Jrue

I'm gonna be pissed, lol

[bucknersrevenge]

I think Pritchard for Tari Eason works. Sure Eason adds to our glut of wings but he'd be good here. And FWIW, I add an unpopular opinion:

Love Payton Pritchard but I think his days are numbered. Brad just doesn't like small guards. He has NEVER liked them. He likes his ballhandlers bigger. 6'3 with long wingspan or taller. Take a look at the guys Brad has gone after:

Jordan Crawford
Marcus Smart
Brad Wanamaker
Dalano Banton
Malcolm Brogdon
Jrue
DWhite
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
Hayden Gray

I'm probably missing some but you get the idea. Sure Brad called him part of his core. Sure for this season. Things change. PP has 3 years left on his deal. I'd bet $100 against a donut that he doesn't make it to the end of this deal in Boston. Brad paid him like a bench 3 point specialist. Pritchard just outplayed his contract. Good for him, but I don't think Brad pays his next deal.