Celtics 2025-2026 Discussion

[RobertWeathers]

I have no idea. If you haven't, watch a few games. It is awful.

I have watched. Agree it sucks.

 

[aluminum seats]

For some reason I have no interest in the WNBA or any other ladies' team sport. I do enjoy seeing the ladies play tennis and golf but the team sports are just too slow for me compared to the men.

Agreed. To me it’s just that we have limited bandwidth for anything, I don’t even watch college sports that much for the same reason that it’s inferior to the pro product, I mean there are other things in the world besides sports, why would we watch women play basketball? I’m not even trying to be funny, I just don’t understand the point

 

[borisman]

Agreed. To me it’s just that we have limited bandwidth for anything, I don’t even watch college sports that much for the same reason that it’s inferior to the pro product, I mean there are other things in the world besides sports, why would we watch women play basketball? I’m not even trying to be funny, I just don’t understand the point

For me the story goes like this:
In 2023 I was playing poker at Encore when an older woman at my table asked for the floor to put on the NCAAW BB tournament. She said she wanted to watch Iowa and their superstar Caitlin Clark. The following week I caught some of the tournament and was floored by the shots and passes she was making. I then followed her in 2024 and thought she would be a generational talent, like Larry Bird, since this is a Celtics thread. While she had her moments her rookie year the women’s game itself was not impressive. I’ll leave it at that as other issues have been raised and discussed.

 

[jimnance]

I have no idea. If you haven't, watch a few games. It is awful.

I have never watched a wnba game. I caught glimpses here and there but it was just too boring

 

[bresna]

Sources: Celtics shed Niang's salary in trade; sign Boucher
I am happy Niang is gone. I was not looking forward to having to root for that guy. What a salary dump though... the Cs had to send two 2nd round picks for them to take on Niang's $8.2 Million & the Jazz tossed in a guy (UDFA rookie RJ Luis Jr) who might make the Portland squad.

As for the signing of Chris Boucher... he does rebound (4.5/game last year) but he is only 6' 9" & even more importantly, turns 33 in January. I could see him helping off the bench like he has these many years in Toronto. He hasn't started a game since 2022 and even in that year, he only started 9 games.

Still no starting big. They only have $7.8 Million left under the 2nd apron, so, barring another salary dump (Hauser?) it's looking less likely that they're going to bring in any proven starting big man with that salary limiting them.

 

[ViperGTS]

I'd dump the **** outta Hauser as well. They need to go nuclear on this roster and set up for '26.

 

[borisman]

Any real Celtics fan would never root for Niang and are happy he is history. Ainge knew this and possibly helped facilitate this trade, at a cost.

 

[Kdo5]

I'd dump the **** outta Hauser as well. They need to go nuclear on this roster and set up for '26.

Hauser is a good luxury piece but he doesn’t seem to have much of an impact in the playoffs or big games. More of a regular season guy.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Sources: Celtics shed Niang's salary in trade; sign Boucher
I am happy Niang is gone. I was not looking forward to having to root for that guy. What a salary dump though... the Cs had to send two 2nd round picks for them to take on Niang's $8.2 Million & the Jazz tossed in a guy (UDFA rookie RJ Luis Jr) who might make the Portland squad.

As for the signing of Chris Boucher... he does rebound (4.5/game last year) but he is only 6' 9" & even more importantly, turns 33 in January. I could see him helping off the bench like he has these many years in Toronto. He hasn't started a game since 2022 and even in that year, he only started 9 games.

Still no starting big. They only have $7.8 Million left under the 2nd apron, so, barring another salary dump (Hauser?) it's looking less likely that they're going to bring in any proven starting big man with that salary limiting them.

not that I closely watch other teams, but I never heard of Boucher who was the last guy left from toronto's championship squad. sucks that we actually had to give up draft picks... so far with this dump we've picked up nada ... except cap space. I had dreams of lots of draft picks coming our way. Maybe for Jalen? (ducking)

 

[RobertWeathers]

Hauser is a good luxury piece but he doesn’t seem to have much of an impact in the playoffs or big games. More of a regular season guy.

Hes been solid here but it might be time to see if they can upgrade and save the $10m

 

[bresna]

Hes been solid here but it might be time to see if they can upgrade and save the $10m

I don't see how you can upgrade a 40% 3-point shooter for less than $10 Million/year. For all the shortcomings he has, it would hard for the C's to get someone as good as he is for less money. If Hauser does get traded, it's just a salary dump, not a skills dump.

Personally, I don't think Hauser has been the same since he badly blew out his ankle in that Wizards game (3/172024) where he was likely on his way to setting a new record for most 3-pointers in a game. He left with 8 minutes left in the 3rd, so he likely would have topped Thompson's 14 in no time as he wasn't missing many 3s at that point (10/13). I sometimes wonder if he might've become a bigger part of the team if he hadn't gone down that night.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't see how you can upgrade a 40% 3-point shooter for less than $10 Million/year. For all the shortcomings he has, it would hard for the C's to get someone as good as he is for less money. If Hauser does get traded, it's just a salary dump, not a skills dump.

Personally, I don't think Hauser has been the same since he badly blew out his ankle in that Wizards game (3/172024) where he was likely on his way to setting a new record for most 3-pointers in a game. He left with 8 minutes left in the 3rd, so he likely would have topped Thompson's 14 in no time as he wasn't missing many 3s at that point (10/13). I sometimes wonder if he might've become a bigger part of the team if he hadn't gone down that night.

Sure you can. You give the minutes to someone else. You can upgrade the overall offensive ability with a more versatile. You can upgrde the passing, rebounding, defense, etc.

They are going to need more minutes from this role in 2025-26. Need a more well-rounded player.

Hauser is great in his role playing behind a top-5 player. Not this year as hes more exposed.

 

[borisman]

Hes been solid here but it might be time to see if they can upgrade and save the $10m

They don't have to dump him now. They could do it in-season. I don't know their thinking right now. They may want to stay in playoff contention and see what happens with Tatum. The East is not so strong that Tatum, Brown, White and Simons can't compete with Cleveland, Orlando, Philly, etc. Still a big hole at the Big position. Is Big Al still available? It's weird that he is.

 

[borisman]

I don't see how you can upgrade a 40% 3-point shooter for less than $10 Million/year. For all the shortcomings he has, it would hard for the C's to get someone as good as he is for less money. If Hauser does get traded, it's just a salary dump, not a skills dump.

Personally, I don't think Hauser has been the same since he badly blew out his ankle in that Wizards game (3/172024) where he was likely on his way to setting a new record for most 3-pointers in a game. He left with 8 minutes left in the 3rd, so he likely would have topped Thompson's 14 in no time as he wasn't missing many 3s at that point (10/13). I sometimes wonder if he might've become a bigger part of the team if he hadn't gone down that night.

Is that the game where his shots weren't even hitting rim? swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.....

 

[bresna]

Is that the game where his shots weren't even hitting rim? swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.....

 

[RobertWeathers]

They don't have to dump him now. They could do it in-season. I don't know their thinking right now. They may want to stay in playoff contention and see what happens with Tatum. The East is not so strong that Tatum, Brown, White and Simons can't compete with Cleveland, Orlando, Philly, etc. Still a big hole at the Big position. Is Big Al still available? It's weird that he is.

Agree on being patient w/ Hauser. I still think the Cs have 50 win pot'l but it'll take great years from White and JB.

Yea we have limited skill in the frontcourt. Need to see how that plays out.

 

[bresna]

Sure you can. You give the minutes to someone else. You can upgrade the overall offensive ability with a more versatile. You can upgrde the passing, rebounding, defense, etc.

They are going to need more minutes from this role in 2025-26. Need a more well-rounded player.

Hauser is great in his role playing behind a top-5 player. Not this year as hes more exposed.

Actually, what they need is someone to take up Tatum's 26.8 pts/gm and Hauser can do that if given the minutes. They do need another rebounder but that has not been Hauser's role on this team to date, even though he averaged 3.2 boards/gm last year & 3.5/gm the year before.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Sources: Celtics shed Niang's salary in trade; sign Boucher
I am happy Niang is gone. I was not looking forward to having to root for that guy. What a salary dump though... the Cs had to send two 2nd round picks for them to take on Niang's $8.2 Million & the Jazz tossed in a guy (UDFA rookie RJ Luis Jr) who might make the Portland squad.

As for the signing of Chris Boucher... he does rebound (4.5/game last year) but he is only 6' 9" & even more importantly, turns 33 in January. I could see him helping off the bench like he has these many years in Toronto. He hasn't started a game since 2022 and even in that year, he only started 9 games.

Still no starting big. They only have $7.8 Million left under the 2nd apron, so, barring another salary dump (Hauser?) it's looking less likely that they're going to bring in any proven starting big man with that salary limiting them.

I think we may see Boucher rotate in at C - although a PF, physically he's actually the same height as Horford and if you extend his minutes to Al's 27 or so a game, they've actually improved on points and maybe even rebounds - and at 33 is obviously on the young side

Overall I THINK what Stevens is doing is wise - he's gotten them below the 2nd tier and if I'm not mistaken, he can jettison more salary at the trading deadline and not have it count against the final season luxury tax.

I was worried for a bit that he might offload Anfernee Simmons before the season. To me, no harm in seeing what this potential 20 pt. per game player can do with the Celts. Yeah he'd be seeking a big contract but the way the NBA works now is you go all in when you can, and he's an intriguing player to me.

But if things aren't working out well for him or the Celts this season, gain back some of those 2nd round picks or better by trading him later in the season.

Aside from that, this season is all about finding the next Kornets - the affordable guys who step up and can play beyond their salary.

While it would have been great to have Lillard on the shelf healing with Tatum and gearing up for a monumental comeback next season, assuming Tatum is 100% by the playoffs, they're in good shape to load up at Center when it counts in the future.

And of course, if they can't remain competetive and they trade Simmons, they'll also be positioned to gain a better draft pick.

So overall Stevens has done what's smart in cutting and pasting together a team that may pay dividends in a future championship run.

A team with Brown, White, Simmons, Garza/Boucher/Queta along with Pritchard and Hauser could surprise some teams out there.

Ballparking PPG isn't bad at all

Brown could be good for 25, Simmons 20, White 15, Pritchard 15, Hauser for 10 and Boucher for 15 if he gets some extra time.

That's somewhat realistic I think given that everyone will be getting some of Tatum's shots and time. That's a ballpark 100 points per game with starters and key backups only - and others will have an opportunity to add to their opportunities too.

I'm intrigued to see what they can do - and will be fine with them dumping more players and salary come the trading deadline while angling for a good draft pick if not!

 

[captain stone]

So you think it's intentional circa NBA 1994?

Circa 1994? Try NBA circa Lebroni's entire career.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Circa 1994? Try NBA circa Lebroni's entire career.

My comment was more about the fighting, chippy, cheap shot play being ignored by officials and the league