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

[djFan71]

Anfernee Simons trade idea. This idea helps Indiana clear some future yr salaries off their cap sheet, as they go into the tank for #1 pick odds and opens some money for Pacers to retain Benedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and perhaps make the MLE available for them to use in the offseason.

Celtics trade:
Anfernee Simons ($27.7M) + Chris Boucher ($2.3M)

Pacers trade:
Obi Toppin ($14M) + Isaiah Jackson ($7.6M) + Indiana Pacers 1st RND PICK (2029) + Indiana 2nd RND PICK (2028)

This trade add future draft capital and reduces this years cap sheet by $8.4 million

Celtics gets Toppin who has two more years after this ($15M, $16M) and Jackson has two more years as well ($7M, $6.4M). We'd have to have an additional deal to move off Jackson and that'd probably take a couple of seconds going out. If we could not do re-move Jackson at the deadline, we could move Sam for a player making $3ish less and get under the tax.

And we pocket a future first and Toppin is a middling BBIQ, playable forward in the mold of a Rui Hachimura and he makes $14

Is it realistic that we get a first in that scenario?

Some protections, perhaps top 10 protected, perhaps lottery protected.

But we'd need some substanial draft assets even though we are saving on this year's cap, for taking on >$40 million in future obligation ... I dont know Isaiah Jackson's value (beyond that it's not good) so Ive no idea if Brad/Zarren think we could move Isaiah Jackson with a couple-three seconds for like, Kevin Love's expiring ($4M) or something.

Good idea, original. Feels like 2-3 seconds, not a 2nd and a 1st on value maybe??? I don't know if I wanna go that route. Feels like more quantity over quality. We already have a nice stable of tall wings. Toppin as a true 4 would be nice this year, but not sure where he plays with JT back without squeezing the other guys' PT. But, White, JB, JT, Toppin, Queta with bench of PP, Walsh, Hugo, Hauser, Minott, FA big, with Baylor, Garza deep bench ain't bad. Just already too many guys.

Wonder if you could get Javon Carter for Jackson. Or combine Jackson and Hauser in a future trade. Interesting, if nothing else. I'd probably pass and keep the salary slot for a true big and defensive guard for next year, but I do like the thinking.

[keevsnick1]

I think the most likely outcome for Simons is he gets traded at the deadline for some player or players worse than him but making 15.5 million or less which allows the Celtics to get under the luxury tax. The Celtics absorb those players into the current Porzingis TPE allowing them to create a 27.7-million-dollar Simons TPE. They play out the year then use that TPE to add a center in the offseason somebody like Claxton, Zubac, Turner, Gafford ect ect.

Not sure what the deal would be, but basically something where you trade Simons for a guy who is worse than he is but save money in the process. I don't think he has enough value to cut money AND get back assets, and it feels like the Celtic's will prioritize cutting money.

Maybe that changes if the Celtics are over performing at the trade deadline AND Tatum looks like his return is imminent, but even if you think Tatum is coming back how much can you really expect from him right away?

[djFan71]

Fair enough.

So let's wait until what Brad gets for Simons.

IMO, Brad not attaching a 1st round pick to Simons in the summer already favors Brad.

Oh sure, lol. Low bar, but sure.

He has very low value at his salary so it's either use his salary and picks to get a good player, or get even lesser value/salary..same now as it was in the summer.

Summer easier cuz other teams had more room and time to plan. Deadline at least has more of his salary already paid, which helps some.

The difference now is teams like the Kings want to blow it up.

A scenario where Kings will take Simons for DeRozan is possible.

Other teams that will also want to shed salary will want Simons' expiring contract.

As a player, Simons' value is not high, but he now has contract value.

They should have this summer, lol. I feel like DDR trade was available then, but who knows? I don't really want him, doesn't save quite enough and he has next year money. But, I get the premise.

[redslastlaugh]

Is it realistic that we get a first in that scenario?

Some protections, perhaps top 10 protected, perhaps lottery protected.

But we'd need some substanial draft assets even though we are saving on this year's cap, for taking on >$40 million in future obligation ... I dont know Isaiah Jackson's value (beyond that it's not good) so Ive no idea if Brad/Zarren think we could move Isaiah Jackson with a couple-three seconds for like, Kevin Love's expiring ($4M) or something.

Good idea, original. Feels like 2-3 seconds, not a 2nd and a 1st on value maybe??? I don't know if I wanna go that route. Feels like more quantity over quality. We already have a nice stable of tall wings. Toppin as a true 4 would be nice this year, but not sure where he plays with JT back without squeezing the other guys' PT. But, White, JB, JT, Toppin, Queta with bench of PP, Walsh, Hugo, Hauser, Minott, FA big, with Baylor, Garza deep bench ain't bad. Just already too many guys.

Wonder if you could get Javon Carter for Jackson. Or combine Jackson and Hauser in a future trade. Interesting, if nothing else. I'd probably pass and keep the salary slot for a true big and defensive guard for next year, but I do like the thinking.

I just realized that Indy is only $3m under the tax line, so staying under the tax is probably a priority. If Pacers want to pursue his type of deal -- paying draft capital to dump Toppin/Jackson, I'm guessing it'd be a move for the offseason.

oh well. back to the drawing board, lol

[Fierce1]

Looking at the west, I think it's best if the Cs try to get a big man, just in case.

Udoka's really using Steven Adams well.

Denver with Jokic will be a problem if you don't have big bodies.

And OKC is thriving with the double big of Chet and Hartenstein.


I don't know what direction the Bulls are going, but they look like a good trade partner for the Cs.

Sacramento could also be interested in a DeRozan for Simons swap.

Maybe be there will be other teams who will want Simons' contract for their tank.

It's just a waiting game, for now.