Celtics 2025-2026 Discussion

[One-If-By-Sea]

Jrue Holiday is showing signs of age as he is injured and his stats are lower overall. Looks like the Celts made the right decision moving on from Porzi and Jrue.

Although Holiday has missed two games since his 27-game absence, he's been relatively steady since his return. He's disappointed with a few uninspiring scoring totals, but Holiday has averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds over the past 12 games.

 

[borisman]

So how many years in a row has he done this? Gotta be at least the last 3.
Even when his shooting his off he's always a major contributor to winning

I was watching an NBA game a couple of days ago. I forget which one. A player on a fast break tried to dunk on a guard (l forget who but he was about 6'5) and got his shot blocked. The announcer said something like "who else can do something like that".
You likely know what words came out of mouth next.
Spoiler alert: "HELLO! Derrick White!!!"

 

[borisman]

Anybody else watch UConn/St.Johns ?
Man that was an intense game.
St.John's starting to live up that #5 preseason ranking. They had a lot of new faces and taken em awhile to mesh but they look like a legit Final Four contender. That big dude is really good. But UConn is still better imo despite the road loss.
Lot of future nba players in that game

Depending on who is on the board at the time and if Brad decides to stay put in the second round, I wouldn't mind the C's taking Ejiofor.
Good player off the bench. Will never be a 3 point shooter but can do many other things.

 

[borisman]

Porzingis has been injured and was dumped in a trade. Poor guy. Great talent but he will never amount to anything.

As of February 10, 2026, newly acquired Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis is sidelined with a left Achilles injury and a lingering illness, with a planned return expected after the 2026 All-Star break, likely targeting February 19. He was recently traded from Atlanta to Golden State after playing just 17 games this season due to various issues.

That C's team, with everyone healthy, was unbeatable. You had those starters and then you had elite shooting from the bench (Pritchard and Hauser) and Big Al as well.
They beat people by 30, 40 points on a regular basis. It was insane.
I hope to see a team like that again, sooner than later.
Last time was the circa 2008 Celtics.

 

[bresna]

I am not the least bit surprised that these Pistons were involved in a large fight. They foul like crazy and it forces the refs to eat their whistles which encourages them to foul even more. I am almost expecting more teams getting sick of their **** and start fighting back.

The NBA has created this but seem unwilling to fix it, as evidenced by the fact that the player who instigated the whole thing, Jalen Duren, only got a 2 game suspension.

NBA suspends 4 players for Pistons-Hornets brawl, including 7 games for Isaiah Stewart

The NBA announced punishments stemming from the brawl during the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets game on Monday night, when four players were ejected from the game.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[captain stone]

...I guess in the end you've gotta hand it to the Mavs for effectively admitting that they screwed up but then literally hit the lottery with Flagg (I'm not sure who looks smoother and more polished - he or Wembanmaya but he's on another level and just 19) - and dumped AD's huge salary...

You do realize that the whole Doncic to LA and Flagg to Dallas bidness was all pre-arranged, don't you?

 

[JoeSixPat]

You do realize that the whole Doncic to LA and Flagg to Dallas bidness was all pre-arranged, don't you?

Including the 1.8% odds that they would land the #1 pick in the lottery after trading Luka?

Not that I would be shocked to have you tell me the NBA would put any fix in, but what is the theory as to how they manipulate the ping pong balls?

 

[JoeSixPat]

That C's team, with everyone healthy, was unbeatable. You had those starters and then you had elite shooting from the bench (Pritchard and Hauser) and Big Al as well.
They beat people by 30, 40 points on a regular basis. It was insane.
I hope to see a team like that again, sooner than later.
Last time was the circa 2008 Celtics.

Plus Kornet off the bench to spell Porzingis - which was essential given his health.

But yes, when they were running that triangle offense kicking it in and out to Porzingas until they found the open shot, they were impossible to beat, especially if they built a lead and then kicked it inside for 2 to maintain it (though they didn't always do that for some confounding reason and would keep heaving 3s even with a big lead, but I digress)

Last playoffs they SHOULD have been a lock, but Porzingis just wasn't healthy and even with a healthy Tatum I don't think it would have made a difference

So in a weird way they were going to have to blow the team up and rebuild anyways - this "restart" on the luxury tax is bound to happen one way or another as that's the NBA's design and intent. And let's be honest - would this team be stronger with Porzingis and Jrue on the team right now? I say no.

Vooch is not the defensive player Porzingis was - heck he's not the defensive player we have in Queta - but he does give them that inside offensive presence and rebounding machine. Let's hope his 19 points and 11 is the norm as those points will help offset the loss of Simons until Tatum hopefully returns.

They DO need someone to spark them when the 3s dry up as they can - that was Simons, but that can be Tatum even in limited playoff minutes. And no doubt Vooch is a defensive liability who seems to be vulnerable to a good pick and roll - but even then if we're trading 2 points for 3 pointers that works out for us and Queta will continue to play a big role.

But save for a low ball contract next season I don't think Vooch is part of the Celtics future and it will be interesting to see how they address the C position for the long term in this next offseason where they will have plenty of $ to spend in multi-year contracts given their luxury tax re-set.

 

[captain stone]

Including the 1.8% odds that they would land the #1 pick in the lottery after trading Luka?

Not that I would be shocked to have you tell me the NBA would put any fix in, but what is the theory as to how they manipulate the ping pong balls?

If there's one thing the Ass-ociation knows how to do, is how to manipulate the draft lottery system.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

But save for a low ball contract next season I don't think Vooch is part of the Celtics future and it will be interesting to see how they address the C position for the long term in this next offseason where they will have plenty of $ to spend in multi-year contracts given their luxury tax re-set.

I am not sure what this means. The Celtics have to stay below the luxury tax for two years in order to reset from the repeater tax rate. One year will not cause a reset. Of course if they stay below the luxury tax label they avoid the repeater tax rate, but they only have about $10M to spend next year after their top 9 guys if they want a full luxury tax reset meaning eliminating the repeater tax penalty.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I am not sure what this means. The Celtics have to stay below the luxury tax for two years in order to reset from the repeater tax rate. One year will not cause a reset. Of course if they stay below the luxury tax label they avoid the repeater tax rate, but they only have about $10M to spend next year after their top 9 guys if they want a full luxury tax reset meaning eliminating the repeater tax penalty.

Regardless of whether they stay below next season they've already saved $325 million in combined salary and luxury tax this season.
To me, every dollar an owner isn't spending in luxury tax are dollars they can invest in players (and taxes) when they are going for a title and that's going to be reinvested for a true championship run.

As you note, if they re-sign Vooch to a long-term contract next season @ his current $21 million, they would only have $10 million to sign another player.

But some think it's possible that instead of re-signing the 35 year old Vooch to a long term contract, Stevens might want to use his $21 million plus the $10 million you mentioned, and use that $30 million to sign a younger, better, longer term solution at Center.

While $30 million might not be much in today's NBA, that amount could still attract a decent player - and they'd probably work a contract that is more back loaded to pay AFTER the re-set, rather than front load it for next season. So maybe this is a player in the $40 million a year category.

So no, that's not the $60 million level for Tatum and Brown but still something more than a bench player salary.

So it may not be a done deal that Vooch will be re-signed, and they might be looking to add a C in the $30 million salary range - while still avoiding the luxury tax.

All of which is amazing given that we are contenders this season (kindof) and can be even better next season, without going over the luxury tax - which while it's a false ceiling, I think we all do know it's real money to ownership and does impact their choices on where and when to upgrade.

This is all crazy as no one would have imagined they could have done all of this and remained contenders, but indeed they have!

Here's a more detailed breakdown

Everything You Need to Know About the Celtics Luxury Tax Maneuvers

On how the Celtics managed to get under the tax, what they get from it, and a creative plan to remain below it.

www.thirdapron.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Regardless of whether they stay below next season they've already saved $325 million in combined salary and luxury tax this season.
To me, every dollar an owner isn't spending in luxury tax are dollars they can invest in players (and taxes) when they are going for a title and that's going to be reinvested for a true championship run.

As you note, if they re-sign Vooch to a long-term contract next season @ his current $21 million, they would only have $10 million to sign another player.

But some think it's possible that instead of re-signing the 35 year old Vooch to a long term contract, Stevens might want to use his $21 million plus the $10 million you mentioned, and use that $30 million to sign a younger, better, longer term solution at Center.

While $30 million might not be much in today's NBA, that amount could still attract a decent player - and they'd probably work a contract that is more back loaded to pay AFTER the re-set, rather than front load it for next season. So maybe this is a player in the $40 million a year category.

So no, that's not the $60 million level for Tatum and Brown but still something more than a bench player salary.

So it may not be a done deal that Vooch will be re-signed, and they might be looking to add a C in the $30 million salary range - while still avoiding the luxury tax.

All of which is amazing given that we are contenders this season (kindof) and can be even better next season, without going over the luxury tax - which while it's a false ceiling, I think we all do know it's real money to ownership and does impact their choices on where and when to upgrade.

This is all crazy as no one would have imagined they could have done all of this and remained contenders, but indeed they have!

Here's a more detailed breakdown

Everything You Need to Know About the Celtics Luxury Tax Maneuvers

On how the Celtics managed to get under the tax, what they get from it, and a creative plan to remain below it.

www.thirdapron.com

Great post. Thanks. It is not just the cash saved staying below the aprons and luxury tax, it is the penalties too. It is great that the Celtics recalibrated when Tatum was injured and hopefully in 2027 they continue the recalibration to take another, and even better, run from 2028 to 2030. Prozingis and Holiday will have faded by 2028.

 

[borisman]

I am not sure what this means. The Celtics have to stay below the luxury tax for two years in order to reset from the repeater tax rate. One year will not cause a reset. Of course if they stay below the luxury tax label they avoid the repeater tax rate, but they only have about $10M to spend next year after their top 9 guys if they want a full luxury tax reset meaning eliminating the repeater tax penalty.

I think if they stay under next year they are all set. I also think they have about $17M if they don’t re-sign Vuc to a $9m contract.
But some of that has to do with allocated money if they draft and sing their two draft picks and will have a mid level contract open. So not much action next season except for the trade exception or big trades. Their big money extensions also kick in next season and after. But they can go a bit wild next off season for couple of years. I read something about it about two weeks ago but it all floated out already. It’s that complicated, to me anyways.
Edit: I hadn’t read Joe post before posting my post so I have that to process and compare.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think if they stay under next year they are all set.

Yup. I agree. I am not sure what that means, but that is the ideal situation and then try for a championship run in 2028 to 2030 with a mature Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum (assuming Tatum's Achilles is OK).

I also think they have about $17M if they don’t re-sign Vuc to a $9m contract.

Yup again. But then they are short a Center.

But some of that has to do with allocated money if they draft and sing their two draft picks and will have a mid level contract open. So not much action next season except for the trade exception or big trades. Their big money extensions also kick in next season and after. But they can go a bit wild next off season for couple of years. I read something about it about two weeks ago but it all floated out already. It’s that complicated, to me anyways.
Edit: I hadn’t read Joe post before posting my post so I have that to process and compare.

It is not easy. Salary, Luxury tax, Aprons, $$ penalties, Non-$$ penalties. It is quite a load to digest. It is all above my pay grade.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Great post. Thanks. It is not just the cash saved staying below the aprons and luxury tax, it is the penalties too. It is great that the Celtics recalibrated when Tatum was injured and hopefully in 2027 they continue the recalibration to take another, and even better, run from 2028 to 2030. Prozingis and Holiday will have faded by 2028.

As far as who might fill that Porzingis C role (or at least someone who isn't the defensive liability Vooch is) I would think that Stevens is looking at some of the 2027 free agents who are on a 2026 salary that can fit under the cap

They wouldn't necessarily be locked into an extension in 2027 but they'd probably have to give up the type of draft picks they were offering for Zubac - so basically someone who is young enough for a good run in the 2027-2031 window who may be in that $15-$25 mil range now who is worth the payday once they've reset.

The bottom line is they'd have that player's services next season - they wouldn't have to wait until 2027.

There's some interesting names out there aside from those at the top

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/available/_/year/2027/position/c

 

[JoeSixPat]

Looks like they're not going to add another bench scorer from among the waived players for the 14th spot on the roster, as I think they had to do that by today.

Just as well - they claimed back some of the developmental guys they traded earlier on 10-day contracts as place holders. Given their decent track record developing young players, I like this better as it was doubtful anyone they signed would be a significant contributor in the playoffs.

The Celtics just signed two new players, and here’s why

Your best source for quality Boston Celtics news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

www.celticsblog.com

 

[UrbanCowboy]

[trying to] get back into hoops mode. Watching NY vs Detroit. Holy crap, Cade Cunningham is on FIRE. wow! Pistons looking really good.

 

[bresna]

Looks like they're not going to add another bench scorer from among the waived players for the 14th spot on the roster, as I think they had to do that by today.

Just as well - they claimed back some of the developmental guys they traded earlier on 10-day contracts as place holders. Given their decent track record developing young players, I like this better as it was doubtful anyone they signed would be a significant contributor in the playoffs.

The Celtics just signed two new players, and here’s why

Your best source for quality Boston Celtics news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

www.celticsblog.com

I was surprised that Portland let Banton go after his very good 23-24 season. Sometimes advanced metrics suck. It's like no one can ever improve. If historically, a young player shot poorly, he's forever labeled a bad shooter.

 

[JoeSixPat]

[trying to] get back into hoops mode. Watching NY vs Detroit. Holy crap, Cade Cunningham is on FIRE. wow! Pistons looking really good.

Yeah we seem to be in a good era with Wemby, Flagg and others doing some amazing things for the next decade.

I think the Celts can beat anyone in the east in a series - less sure about the west.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I was surprised that Portland let Banton go after his very good 23-24 season. Sometimes advanced metrics suck. It's like no one can ever improve. If historically, a young player shot poorly, he's forever labeled a bad shooter

He's a 6'8" point guard - in a different era we'd value his role outside of points, but he has really turned that around with some big games