Celtics 2025-2026 Discussion

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Udoka is a way better coach than Mazzulla. Who cares who he was ****ing. Players respected him. Same as Vrabel.

Where did I miss the part where the Celtics don’t respect him?

And where did I miss the part where this is somehow important? Did they respect him in the first four games and then stop respecting him in the last three?

I get that people are frustrated when their team loses, but I feel like so much of this talk about coaches is just projection. Like if only the team liked their coach, they would’ve won regardless of all of the obstacles. Of those three guys you mentioned Mazzoulla is the only one with a championship. I’m not saying the guy is a good coach or bad coach as I’ve been consistent about him for the last three years. He seems to make a pretty logical decisions based on the lineups the team clearly plays hard given that they vastly overachieved their projection this season and stayed motivated, despite many people thinking they would be in the lottery. He’s well respected by other coaches around the league who really understand what it takes to run a basketball team.

Personally, I think coaching makes a very small difference unless a coach really loses the team, but assuming that he didn’t and by all accounts, he did not. He really doesn’t affect the game as much as people want to think. Blaming the coach for shortcomings is often without actual justification.

 

[Tunescribe]

This makes me sick. I know other sports are like this as well and it still makes me sick.

These NBA guys -- that includes most of them -- value (in order of importance):

1). The money.

2). Individual accolades as player.

3). Notoriety off the court.

4). Winning games as a team.

5). Winning championships.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

This makes me sick. I know other sports are like this as well and it still makes me sick.

This isn’t even something that’s like a modern era thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. I don’t know if this is before or after the game but I assume after. Tatum is just being a classy person and congratulating Embiid. The Celtics have beaten the Sixers many times and both of these guys have come back from a lot of injuries. I really see absolutely no reason why this would make you upset.

Clearly, they are not doing it during the game. Embiid was jawing and pretty intense going at Jaylen Brown during the game. I have certainly never seen Tatum do something like this during the game itself either.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson hated each other on the cord but we’re friendly off the court and I’m sure shook hands and said a good game when the score was settled.

Many sports actually have a designated time to shake hands.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Nah, he'd be getting more heat if he "went for it" this season and stuck them with being much weaker next season

It was worth a shot but Vooch just wasn't up to the task. When they traded for him he had pretty good numbers but whether it was him coming off an injury or just age, he never came close to having that same impact here (much like others on the team went cold during the playoffs)

There was a pretty short list of players with contracts that fit with the space they had and there was no way they were going to trigger the luxury tax this year or next

One can't even make the case that they should have kept Simmons because that would leave them without the ability to use his trade exception to secure a top tier center.

Anyone who thought that Steven's long term answer at Center was a 35 year old Vooch was kidding themselves. Now we reset the luxury tax AND can bring someone in on Simmon's trade exception next season AND get some good value from bringing someone in at Vooch's $21 million (by the rules I don't think you can combine Simmons and Vooch

Steven Adams would be perfect, but he's got two years left with the Rockets. Trade? They need a point guard, badly.

 

[Tunescribe]

This isn’t even something that’s like a modern era thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. I don’t know if this is before or after the game but I assume after. Tatum is just being a classy person and congratulating Embiid. The Celtics have beaten the Sixers many times and both of these guys have come back from a lot of injuries. I really see absolutely no reason why this would make you upset.

Clearly, they are not doing it during the game. Embiid was jawing and pretty intense going at Jaylen Brown during the game. I have certainly never seen Tatum do something like this during the game itself either.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson hated each other on the cord but we’re friendly off the court and I’m sure shook hands and said a good game when the score was settled.

Many sports actually have a designated time to shake hands.

Shaking hands/wishing the victor luck is all fine and good. This was something different -- yucking' it up right after the final buzzer when HIS team shamefully crapped itself into an embarrassingly premature end to the season. All while Tatum's unavailability is open to question. That and the reactions of other Celtics, including Mazzulla, makes one wonder if their hearts were really into it. Too easy and casual acceptance of devastating defeat, IMO.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Celts aren't taking on any significant contracts until the 2027 off-season when they are clear from the luxury tax penalties. They'll be a 55-60 win team again next year. We'll just have to find a way to cope.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

It's getting harder and harder to care about the regular season with the jays. First of all, getting homecourt means nothing. Also, success in the regular season doesn't necessarily mean anything either. We would be better off prioritizing health and not caring about seeding at all. Wherever we end up it's whatever.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It's getting harder and harder to care about the regular season with the jays. First of all, getting homecourt means nothing. Also, success in the regular season doesn't necessarily mean anything either. We would be better off prioritizing health and not caring about seeding at all. Wherever we end up it's whatever.

Yep. I don’t know if this is a more recent NBA thing but I absolutely agree that the seeding and Home court advantage seems much less important than in the past. Being healthy and ready is way more important than having one extra home game in a series.

 

[Real fan 02]

Well we can pass the time trying to figure out which Centers might be trade candidates - basically anyone with a salary under $27 mil as that's the Simmons trade exception

We should keep in mind that we don't need a C who can score 20 points a night - but someone who can be more physical against some physical opponents and give us a high percentage 2 when we need it.

None of the names I've seen wow me - John Collins and Nic Claxton have been mentioned - although even someone like Day'Ron Sharpe could serve as a physical presence on the cheap if they could work a trade.

Need a presence down low.. look at all the teams left in the EC playoffs they all have guys that can be impactful down low and put pressure on teams being a threat to score and defensively. We haven't had a real physical presence down low since the days of AL and KG..

 

[borisman]

It's getting harder and harder to care about the regular season with the jays. First of all, getting homecourt means nothing. Also, success in the regular season doesn't necessarily mean anything either. We would be better off prioritizing health and not caring about seeding at all. Wherever we end up it's whatever.

I'm pretty sure the Celtics have the best road record in the NBA in the past two years combined. They show they can win on the road. But home court used to be, and in some cases still is, a big thing. Just thinking about the '85-'86 Celtics going 41-1 at home and not losing a playoff game either. Long time ago, yes, but dozens of teams since have dominated on their home court. Why haven't the recent/current C's?

 

[borisman]

This isn’t even something that’s like a modern era thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. I don’t know if this is before or after the game but I assume after. Tatum is just being a classy person and congratulating Embiid. The Celtics have beaten the Sixers many times and both of these guys have come back from a lot of injuries. I really see absolutely no reason why this would make you upset.

Clearly, they are not doing it during the game. Embiid was jawing and pretty intense going at Jaylen Brown during the game. I have certainly never seen Tatum do something like this during the game itself either.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson hated each other on the cord but we’re friendly off the court and I’m sure shook hands and said a good game when the score was settled.

Many sports actually have a designated time to shake hands.

If it doesn't bother you that's fine. But I'm a "very competitive, hate to fkn lose" type person so I'm not going to be all huggy/chatty with someone like Embiid afte getting my ass handed to me for 10 straight quarters, in which I miss the last, deciding game. That's not me and that shoudln't be the best player on the team. But everyone is different. That is why, as I always called him, I say Tatum will never be like Bird, Jordan, or his idol Kobe because he is NOT A KILLER. He's soft in that regard. I've seen him dribble out the clock and take bad shots at the end of games over and over an over again. It's just not in him. Sure he had a few the past couple of years but he's been in the league 9 years now. You know what Bird accomplished in his first 9 years? Man up and take some loses seriously, not just between the lines. He got his one ring but "what they gonna say now".

 

[bresna]

Celts aren't taking on any significant contracts until the 2027 off-season when they are clear from the luxury tax penalties. They'll be a 55-60 win team again next year. We'll just have to find a way to cope.

A bad ownership team watches the bottom line and could care less about anything other than the bottom line. If they make the playoffs or even win a championship, that's gravy. A good ownership team watches the bottom line but pays the extra money to field a good team. If a championship falls out of that, it's gravy. A great ownership team spends whatever it takes to win.

A lot of people act as if waiting another season is no big deal. Another year of wear and tear on the stars. Another year of opportunities for a major injury. Another offseason for other teams to lock up big name free agents to multi-year deals.

I don't think any NBA team should ever look to stand pat unless they already have a great team. This is what the Celtics did in 2025. It backfired. I think if they stand pat again this year, we're see similar results.

Let's look at this offeason bluntly - Giannis is likely being moved. If the Celtics are waiting until 2027 to pay any luxury taxes, they are out because Giannis is under contract until 2028 for insane money. They'll not get a shot at him (if his new team doesn't extend him) until he's 34 in 2028. All to save some money next year. Seems penny wise and pound foolish. If you want the guy, you have to be willing to pay the piper.

And BTW - why is 2027 some sort of magic date where they are suddenly willing to start paying a luxury tax again? In 2028, will they suddenly say, "OK. Spend whatever you want now". That seems unlikely. Is it because Derek White's & Jaylen Brown's contracts end in 2029? That seems the more likely reason. Expecting to draft/develop/sign players to replace guys like these is a nice dream. I hope they can do it.

And there are teams like the Warriors and Lakers, who seem to pay the tax for what seems like forever. 13 of the last 17 NBA champions have been teams paying a luxury tax. It's hard to win it all without paying for some big names. Great owners don't care about the luxury tax. They care about winning.

 

[Real fan 02]

Where did I miss the part where the Celtics don’t respect him?

And where did I miss the part where this is somehow important? Did they respect him in the first four games and then stop respecting him in the last three?

I get that people are frustrated when their team loses, but I feel like so much of this talk about coaches is just projection. Like if only the team liked their coach, they would’ve won regardless of all of the obstacles. Of those three guys you mentioned Mazzoulla is the only one with a championship. I’m not saying the guy is a good coach or bad coach as I’ve been consistent about him for the last three years. He seems to make a pretty logical decisions based on the lineups the team clearly plays hard given that they vastly overachieved their projection this season and stayed motivated, despite many people thinking they would be in the lottery. He’s well respected by other coaches around the league who really understand what it takes to run a basketball team.

Personally, I think coaching makes a very small difference unless a coach really loses the team, but assuming that he didn’t and by all accounts, he did not. He really doesn’t affect the game as much as people want to think. Blaming the coach for shortcomings is often without actual justification.

Latest trade rumors indicate Celtics won't be messing around this summer - NewsBreak

The Boston Celtics' elimination may force them to make some tough decisions this summer. Two days after their elimination, there's already a wild rumor goi

share.newsbreak.com

 

[bresna]

Latest trade rumors indicate Celtics won't be messing around this summer - NewsBreak

The Boston Celtics' elimination may force them to make some tough decisions this summer. Two days after their elimination, there's already a wild rumor goi

share.newsbreak.com

Newsbreak is not really a "news source". They are a rumor mill collector site.

 

[Real fan 02]

Newsbreak is not really a "news source". They are a rumor mill collector site.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25411653-examining-celtics-salary-cap-decisions-2026-nba-free-agency-after-76ers-loss

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25411653-examining-celtics-salary-cap-decisions-2026-nba-free-agency-after-76ers-loss

Brooks Lopez at 38 is an ideal pickup for the Celtics? I assume that is a spot player to deal with a few big centers.

 

[Real fan 02]

Brooks Lopez at 38 is an ideal pickup for the Celtics? I assume that is a spot player to deal with a few big centers.

Agreed there. It's a weak spot as we know it. I'm curious to see what Amari Williams can develop into. Like to see him develop as well.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Agreed there. It's a weak spot as we know it. I'm curious to see what Amari Williams can develop into. Like to see him develop as well.

We have a 1st round pick this year. Maybe there is a big strong center that will fall because of a lack of offense?

 

[bresna]

Agreed there. It's a weak spot as we know it. I'm curious to see what Amari Williams can develop into. Like to see him develop as well.

Williams seemed to get pushed around pretty easily on the defensive end. If we really want him to bang with someone like Embiid, he's going to have to beef himself up a bit. He's giving up 30 pounds to Embiid right now and that's if you believe Embiid is only 280 and that Williams is actually 250.

 

[JoeSixPat]

A bad ownership team watches the bottom line and could care less about anything other than the bottom line. If they make the playoffs or even win a championship, that's gravy. A good ownership team watches the bottom line but pays the extra money to field a good team. If a championship falls out of that, it's gravy. A great ownership team spends whatever it takes to win.

A lot of people act as if waiting another season is no big deal. Another year of wear and tear on the stars. Another year of opportunities for a major injury. Another offseason for other teams to lock up big name free agents to multi-year deals.

I don't think any NBA team should ever look to stand pat unless they already have a great team. This is what the Celtics did in 2025. It backfired. I think if they stand pat again this year, we're see similar results.

Let's look at this offeason bluntly - Giannis is likely being moved. If the Celtics are waiting until 2027 to pay any luxury taxes, they are out because Giannis is under contract until 2028 for insane money. They'll not get a shot at him (if his new team doesn't extend him) until he's 34 in 2028. All to save some money next year. Seems penny wise and pound foolish. If you want the guy, you have to be willing to pay the piper.

And BTW - why is 2027 some sort of magic date where they are suddenly willing to start paying a luxury tax again? In 2028, will they suddenly say, "OK. Spend whatever you want now". That seems unlikely. Is it because Derek White's & Jaylen Brown's contracts end in 2029? That seems the more likely reason. Expecting to draft/develop/sign players to replace guys like these is a nice dream. I hope they can do it.

And there are teams like the Warriors and Lakers, who seem to pay the tax for what seems like forever. 13 of the last 17 NBA champions have been teams paying a luxury tax. It's hard to win it all without paying for some big names. Great owners don't care about the luxury tax. They care about winning.

Well the reality of the NBA and the luxury tax is that it's designed to push teams into a 2 year reboot. In the Celtics case, they've shown that they can still play some good ball - but yes, salary makes a difference.

In this case it's $375 million a year and while I don't really care if billionaires don't make as much money, the reality is, that's money that will be better spent after next year's reboot so they can stock up and be contenders for several years.

Being the #2 seed is no small feat with the salary they had to work with but they really weren't contenders. Maybe there was some other C to get who fit into that salary space that they could have/should have gotten for this playoff run but we'll never really know.

So the thought process is, they have time and means to go shopping for that one missing piece who is $27 million or less - which ideally might be a younger guy who wants to play for a big raise in 2027 when they can really spend again.

I'm keeping my eye on the Nets who have Claxton and Sharpe on contracts that fit here - no they're not going to take or hit many 3s but I think we're all ok with that as both are good physical Cs. (Sharpe is only 24 and is on a cheap contract for one more year - not that we'd need to keep him if he's not working out. We can dump him after next season and can go shopping for the best C available in 2027.