Celtics 2025-2026 Discussion

[RobertWeathers]

Eh whatever gets them to the top of next years draft. 3 big studs in that one. Be HUGE for Tatum and Brown going forward, especially for the apron BS.

Devils Advocate Post:

The reality is if they trade White, they get under the 1st apron (which frees them up even more/avoid penalties) and provides a bevy of draft picks.

It would open up salary for a skilled big man and allow the team to move up in the draft (as they will surely slide in the lottery w/o him)

He has 3 more years under team control then in 2028 he can opt out. Coming off a career year his market will never be higher.

We'd be fools not to realize Brad is thinking the exact same thing.

With that said I don't think hes going anywhere. If things roll right they are a playoff team with him.

 

[ViperGTS]

Devils Advocate Post:

The reality is if they trade White, they get under the 1st apron (which frees them up even more/avoid penalties) and provides a bevy of draft picks.

It would open up salary for a skilled big man and allow the team to move up in the draft (as they will surely slide in the lottery w/o him)

He has 3 more years under team control then in 2028 he can opt out. Coming off a career year his market will never be higher.

We'd be fools not to realize Brad is thinking the exact same thing.

With that said I don't think hes going anywhere. If things roll right they are a playoff team with him.

That is the worst thing that can happen to this team. Tatum and Brown aren't getting younger, they are closer to 30 than 20 now. An infusion of a stud rookie would do wonders. I think you are right though.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That is the worst thing that can happen to this team. Tatum and Brown aren't getting younger, they are closer to 30 than 20 now. An infusion of a stud rookie would do wonders. I think you are right though.

I think Brad realizes this. NBA purgatory is winning 45-50 games a year and never being good enough to win a title. Runs like Indy just had and Miami in 2023 are teases. They weren't winning a title because they didn't have 2-3 top -end guys.

JT and JB are 26 and 28 respectfully. Assuming complete health in 2027 they'll have 3-4 more top-end years together to the early 2030s. If they can get acquire a skilled big man, a playmaking/creating guard that can defend and add a perimeter defender/scorer, they'll be in a perfect situation for another run.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think Brad realizes this. NBA purgatory is winning 45-50 games a year and never being good enough to win a title. Runs like Indy just had and Miami in 2023 are teases. They weren't winning a title because they didn't have 2-3 top -end guys.

JT and JB are 26 and 28 respectfully. Assuming complete health in 2027 they'll have 3-4 more top-end years together to the early 2030s. If they can get acquire a skilled big man, a playmaking/creating guard that can defend and add a perimeter defender/scorer, they'll be in a perfect situation for another run.

Moving Simons at $28M must get them under the luxury tax. Simons and White have the same cap hit. Why would Brad move White and keep Simons?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Moving Simons at $28M must get them under the luxury tax. Simons and White have the same cap hit. Why would Brad move White and keep Simons?

White has more value, under contract for 3 more years and Simmons is 4 years younger.

 

[borisman]

Having a $20M+ expiring contract (Simons) has value in the NBA as well, as long as it's not a stud player.

Brad must also have a plan for getting a big man, since he traded out of the second round pick where both Kalkbrenner and Raynaud were available. They were both experienced as well so that move was a little confusing. He must have thought he could re-sign one or both of Kornet/Horford after trading Porzingis. There are "rumors" of Rob Williams coming back. He's been mostly broken but is also on an expiring contract. We know what he can do (a HUGE) IF/when healthy.

 

[bresna]

I loved the Time Lord when he was here, but counting on him to be their center is not realistic at this point. He's less reliable than KP, which is saying something. I was hoping for a draft pick as well. I don't understand what Brad is doing at this point. When I see starting lineups with Queta penciled in as the starting center, I know the Celtics are in trouble.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

White has more value, under contract for 3 more years and Simmons is 4 years younger.

I would have thought an expiring contract is easier to move.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I would have thought an expiring contract is easier to move.

You aren't wrong but in this situation Brad is looking at it from both angles.

Simmons and his expiring contract was "easy" because the C's didn't really give up any picks and want/need short term/long term financial flexibility.

With White, because of his value to a contending team, contract length/cost certainty is good for 2-4 1st rounders. That is obviously a harder deal to make because of the picks involved. Because the contending team is giving up so much, having him under contract for 3 years is big part of the value. If he was on an expiring contract and ~35 y/o the acquiring team would not offer multiple 1st rounders.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I loved the Time Lord when he was here, but counting on him to be their center is not realistic at this point. He's less reliable than KP, which is saying something. I was hoping for a draft pick as well. I don't understand what Brad is doing at this point. When I see starting lineups with Queta penciled in as the starting center, I know the Celtics are in trouble.

Same. Love Time Lord but he physically can't be counted on.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Having a $20M+ expiring contract (Simons) has value in the NBA as well, as long as it's not a stud player.

Brad must also have a plan for getting a big man, since he traded out of the second round pick where both Kalkbrenner and Raynaud were available. They were both experienced as well so that move was a little confusing. He must have thought he could re-sign one or both of Kornet/Horford after trading Porzingis. There are "rumors" of Rob Williams coming back. He's been mostly broken but is also on an expiring contract. We know what he can do (a HUGE) IF/when healthy.

I believe he does. While I think they are decent role players, Queta and Garza cannot play more than 20 min a night.

 

[bresna]

I believe he does. While I think they are decent role players, Queta and Garza cannot play more than 20 min a night.

Queta's a bit of a foul machine, so getting 20 minutes out of him would be pretty good. I love his aggression on the boards but with the flopping going on these days, he gets a lot of ticky-tack fouls called on him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Queta's a bit of a foul machine, so getting 20 minutes out of him would be pretty good. I love his aggression on the boards but with the flopping going on these days, he gets a lot of ticky-tack fouls called on him.

Agree. I love his athleticism and physicality but yea, hes not polished offensively. He just doesn't have that feel.

Garza is more skilled on O but his D and athleticism is meh.

 

[captain stone]

...If they can get acquire a skilled big man, a playmaking/creating guard that can defend and add a perimeter defender/scorer, they'll be in a perfect situation for another run.

Is that all...?

Besides, The Brad & his incompetent HC despise Big Men; so that first one ain't happening.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Is that all...?

Besides, The Brad & his incompetent HC despise Big Men; so that first one ain't happening.

Too harsh.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

just saw that the Suns extended Devin Booker two more years at max. I just don't get it. $70+million a year. I'm speechless. Don't see it at all. He's okay... at $20 mill I might take him.

 

[captain stone]

Too harsh.

Perhaps; but losing to the NYKs should make everyone here harsh, Tatum injury or no injury.

 

[bresna]

just saw that the Suns extended Devin Booker two more years at max. I just don't get it. $70+million a year. I'm speechless. Don't see it at all. He's okay... at $20 mill I might take him.

I don't get it either. Seems like too much for a 6'6" PG but with Durant's departure, someone's got to make the shots and Booker is their best option so...

Like the Celtics and Tatum, the Suns are going to have to find a way to get Durant's 26.6 PPG from the guys on the roster. I don't see Booker upping his game that much.

 

[RobertWeathers]

just saw that the Suns extended Devin Booker two more years at max. I just don't get it. $70+million a year. I'm speechless. Don't see it at all. He's okay... at $20 mill I might take him.

Great player but not sure hes worth that.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Great player but not sure hes worth that.

ya, given how we are seeing what happens when you do the over-pays and the bill comes due ... ouch.