Free Agent/Trade/Waiver Thread, 2025-26, pt 3 – (Trade Deadline = Thurs, Feb. 5, 3pm, ET)

[celtxman]

A person on bluesky has come up with an analytical tool that gives a fair salary value for NBA any player based on that player's production this season:

https://nbasalarymodel.xyz/



I went to the site and I was putting in different Celtics.

The tool said Anfernee Simons fair value is $16.7 million but is earning $27.7 million, so is $11 million overpaid.

I put in NEEMIAS QUETA and the tool said fair salary for his play equals $29 million. Yikes!

one of the reasons I have advocated keeping Queta (sending 1st rounders instead)and getting Zubac, is Queta's situation and future salary. If Hartenstein is getting $30 million per, and Kessler wants that much, how much will Queta be worth is he continues to improve? His contract is up next season.

[ddb]

Had an incredibly real dream last night that Boston landed Myles Turner & Malik Monk in a 3-team deal with Bucks & Kings. Details of how they landed Turner & Monk weren't in my dream, so I woke up and created a mock trade myself.

Boston in: Myles Turner & Malik Monk
Boston Out: Garza, Hauser, Boucher, Simons, 2026 1st rd pick

Bucks in: Hauser, Saric, Devin Carter, Garza, Boucher, 2026 1st from Boston
Bucks out: Turner

Kings In: Simons
Kings out: Monk, Carter, Saric

[redslastlaugh]

what is your past hit rate on prophetic dreams, lol

As for this trade, I don't really see Brad going in on non-needle-moving players on contracts like this (multiyear, middle money) with extensions coming up for Walsh and Queta and after the experience of limited flexibility with the big contracts on last years books...

Had an incredibly real dream last night that Boston landed Myles Turner & Malik Monk in a 3-team deal with Bucks & Kings. Details of how they landed Turner & Monk weren't in my dream, so I woke up and created a mock trade myself.

Boston in: Myles Turner & Malik Monk
Boston Out: Garza, Hauser, Boucher, Simons, 2026 1st rd pick

Bucks in: Hauser, Saric, Devin Carter, Garza, Boucher, 2026 1st from Boston
Bucks out: Turner

Kings In: Simons
Kings out: Monk, Carter, Saric

[Celts17Pride]

I don't like Myles Turner at all. Overpriced, minimum production. I think Brad Stevens would spend the rest of his days trying to off-load Myles Turner to someone else soon after he acquired him.

[fallguy]

I don't like Myles Turner at all. Overpriced, minimum production. I think Brad Stevens would spend the rest of his days trying to off-load Myles Turner to someone else soon after he acquired him.

We've repeatedly passed on the opportunity to acquire him in the past.

[redslastlaugh]

A person on bluesky has come up with an analytical tool that gives a fair salary value for NBA any player based on that player's production this season:

https://nbasalarymodel.xyz/

The tool said Anfernee Simons fair value is $16.7 million but is earning $27.7 million, so is $11 million overpaid.

I put in NEEMIAS QUETA and the tool said fair salary for his play equals $29 million. Yikes!

Dude, delete this before Quetas agent sees!!!

lol, for real ... I have wondered though, what exactly are fair extension amounts for Queta and Walsh?? I hope we can get something done this summer and for a *Reasonable* figure, lol

[robdog_5]

If Tatum can let's say come back and play 25-30 mins come playoff time does that make you more or less willing to trade Simmons you think?

I think a somewhat limited Tatum means you keep Simmons for possible scoring punch in playoffs.

[Hal14]

A person on bluesky has come up with an analytical tool that gives a fair salary value for NBA any player based on that player's production this season:

https://nbasalarymodel.xyz/



I went to the site and I was putting in different Celtics.

The tool said Anfernee Simons fair value is $16.7 million but is earning $27.7 million, so is $11 million overpaid.

I put in NEEMIAS QUETA and the tool said fair salary for his play equals $29 million. Yikes!

one of the reasons I have advocated keeping Queta (sending 1st rounders instead)and getting Zubac, is Queta's situation and future salary. If Hartenstein is getting $30 million per, and Kessler wants that much, how much will Queta be worth is he continues to improve? His contract is up next season.

Fair question to ask.

One point of comparison: Kornet. He's getting like $10mil a year to be a backup center..and was a backup C here in boston..and was like 30 years old, Queta a few years younger.

Kornet's deal may have been a slight overpay..Spurs were splurging a bit last offseason and have also been aggressive with other moves like trading for Fox and stuff. But all it takes is 1 aggressive team to offer Queta more $.

I don't see anyone offering Queta $20mil a year..he's just not that level of player. But somewhere between $10-19mil a year, I could definitely see him getting if he keeps starting for us and playing well..

[Fierce1]

If Tatum can let's say come back and play 25-30 mins come playoff time does that make you more or less willing to trade Simmons you think?

I think a somewhat limited Tatum means you keep Simmons for possible scoring punch in playoffs.

Tatum's minutes restriction will only be for a few games.

[brackdan70]

A person on bluesky has come up with an analytical tool that gives a fair salary value for NBA any player based on that player's production this season:

https://nbasalarymodel.xyz/



I went to the site and I was putting in different Celtics.

The tool said Anfernee Simons fair value is $16.7 million but is earning $27.7 million, so is $11 million overpaid.

I put in NEEMIAS QUETA and the tool said fair salary for his play equals $29 million. Yikes!

Pretty interesting. Walsh worth north of 20 million as well. JJJ at 27 million

Salary aside do you think Queta is a better player than JJJ?

Obviously not. And I think Darko is not the best advanced metric either. Queta is so far this season, lighting up the advanced metrics though. More so than JJJ.
Maybe an interesting question is Queta at 20 million or JJJ at 50 million?

[ryan in Maine]

By what measure does Tatum replace Simons? I'm squinting but still not seeing it.

[GreenBlooded]

If Tatum can let's say come back and play 25-30 mins come playoff time does that make you more or less willing to trade Simmons you think?

I think a somewhat limited Tatum means you keep Simmons for possible scoring punch in playoffs.

More likely. Tatum takes Pritchard's starting spot and Pritchard goes back to 6 man/scoring punch off the bench. Use Simons $$and draft capital to upgrade Queta or Hauser in the starting lineup.

[darrendaye]

By what measure does Tatum replace Simons? I'm squinting but still not seeing it.

Pritchard replaces Simons. Tatum replaces Pritchard, this year. Where is your vision obstructed on the subject?

[Hal14]

If Tatum can let's say come back and play 25-30 mins come playoff time does that make you more or less willing to trade Simmons you think?

I think a somewhat limited Tatum means you keep Simmons for possible scoring punch in playoffs.

More likely. Tatum takes Pritchard's starting spot and Pritchard goes back to 6 man/scoring punch off the bench. Use Simons $$and draft capital to upgrade Queta or Hauser in the starting lineup.

I think when Tatum comes back, he replaces Walsh/Hauser in the starting lineup..that last starter spot has been a revolving door all season between Walsh, Minott, Scheierman, Hugo, Hauser, etc.

Meanwhile Pritchard has started every game he's played in.

Only makes sense that when Tatum returns, he takes that spot so it's not a revolving door anymore, it's consistent instead and keep Pritchard in the starting spot he's gotten used to.

You don't bring Pritchard off the bench for 4 years, then he finally gets that starting spot he's been working so hard for and then just demote him back to a bench role - nah.

[darrendaye]

If Tatum can let's say come back and play 25-30 mins come playoff time does that make you more or less willing to trade Simmons you think?

I think a somewhat limited Tatum means you keep Simmons for possible scoring punch in playoffs.

More likely. Tatum takes Pritchard's starting spot and Pritchard goes back to 6 man/scoring punch off the bench. Use Simons $$and draft capital to upgrade Queta or Hauser in the starting lineup.

I think when Tatum comes back, he replaces Walsh/Hauser in the starting lineup..that last starter spot has been a revolving door all season between Walsh, Minott, Scheierman, Hugo, Hauser, etc.

Meanwhile Pritchard has started every game he's played in.

Only makes sense that when Tatum returns, he takes that spot so it's not a revolving door anymore, it's consistent instead and keep Pritchard in the starting spot he's gotten used to.

You don't bring Pritchard off the bench for 4 years, then he finally gets that starting spot he's been working so hard for and then just demote him back to a bench role - nah.

I agree it's not likely they would take Pritchard out of the starting lineup this year. I very much disagree with your take about the go forward.

[Fierce1]

I've digging a little deeper about Missi.

So he's been replaced by Queen in the starting unit and he's not happy about it, according to reports.

A very simple swap of Boucher for Missi works.

Question is what pick or picks would the Pels be asking for.

[darrendaye]

I've digging a little deeper about Missi.

So he's been replaced by Queen in the starting unit and he's not happy about it, according to reports.

A very simple swap of Boucher for Missi works.

Question is what pick or picks would the Pels be asking for.

Bulls reportedly are very interested too.

[ryan in Maine]

By what measure does Tatum replace Simons? I'm squinting but still not seeing it.

Pritchard replaces Simons. Tatum replaces Pritchard, this year. Where is your vision obstructed on the subject?

Struggling with "replaces" here. Neither is replacing what the other two bring.

[165bows]

By what measure does Tatum replace Simons? I'm squinting but still not seeing it.

Idk who this was directed to but IMO the minutes and shots that Simons gets are no longer necessary whatsoever once Tatum returns, so he is replaced.

[ryan in Maine]

By what measure does Tatum replace Simons? I'm squinting but still not seeing it.

Idk who this was directed to but IMO the minutes and shots that Simons gets are no longer necessary whatsoever once Tatum returns, so he is replaced.

It's been mentioned by 3 or 4 posters.

You guys are being super literal.