Following our Finals loss, what's your ideal offseason?

[jambr380]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

Free agents available. There are some off the bench scoring options and a couple of wings. Not many realistic bigs off the bench that will make a difference.

I don't know of any reasonable trade options or future buy-out options. I think the kids should be able to attract better players than in the past.

I'd definitely kick the tires on Portis and Jalen Smith as bigs. I'd also look into a guy like Kendrick Nunn who didn't play last year, but is definitely a scorer. This would likely require moving on from White and/or Pritchard.

[Roy H.]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

Free agents available. There are some off the bench scoring options and a couple of wings. Not many realistic bigs off the bench that will make a difference.

I don't know of any reasonable trade options or future buy-out options. I think the kids should be able to attract better players than in the past.

I'd definitely kick the tires on Portis and Jalen Smith as bigs. I'd also look into a guy like Kendrick Nunn who didn't play last year, but is definitely a scorer. This would likely require moving on from White and/or Pritchard.

I've read that Portis has already committed to coming back to Milwaukee.

I'm ready to use Pritchard as a trade chip if it gets us a better class of player.  He was overwhelmed in the Finals, as were all of our bench guys.

[Big333223]

I think the Celtics' biggest decision is going to be around Horford. He was such a huge part of the team this year and seemed so happy to be back in Boston, it'd be great to have him back. But he's also 36. I wonder if the Celtics have enough to get John Collins. There have been rumors forever that Collins wants out of Atlanta and he'd be a perfect fit.

Two free agency names I keep thinking about are Otto Porter and Mo Bamba.

Porter is a big, versatile wing who can shoot 3's and play defense and the Warriors tax situation is insane. Maybe he wants to jump over to the ship that's one the rise. He's got a bad injury history but he's only 29.

If Orlando is drafting yet another big man, Bamba might be the odd man out there. He's got legit size, he's only 24, and last year he become something of a 3-point shooter. He can back up Rob and if that 3-point shooting is real and the plan remains to start Rob on wings (and if Rob's passing finally becomes part of the offensive gameplan), I could even see Rob and Bamba out there together, shutting down the rim.

[Sketch5]

I think the Celtics' biggest decision is going to be around Horford. He was such a huge part of the team this year and seemed so happy to be back in Boston, it'd be great to have him back. But he's also 36. I wonder if the Celtics have enough to get John Collins. There have been rumors forever that Collins wants out of Atlanta and he'd be a perfect fit.

Two free agency names I keep thinking about are Otto Porter and Mo Bamba.

Porter is a big, versatile wing who can shoot 3's and play defense and the Warriors tax situation is insane. Maybe he wants to jump over to the ship that's one the rise. He's got a bad injury history but he's only 29.

If Orlando is drafting yet another big man, Bamba might be the odd man out there. He's got legit size, he's only 24, and last year he become something of a 3-point shooter. He can back up Rob and if that 3-point shooting is real and the plan remains to start Rob on wings (and if Rob's passing finally becomes part of the offensive gameplan), I could even see Rob and Bamba out there together, shutting down the rim.

I'm wondering about Al too, he said all the things about coming back next season, but they guaranteed his contract in the Bucks series. Don't know if thats a thank you for being a great teammate payday, or if they wanted the full for a trade. Cause you could have reworked his contract, cause some one said you can't use the 17mill TPE in a sign and trade cause it would put us over, but if you reworked Al's contract it would fit. Not sure if thats true anyone out there can confirm or deny this?

Mo Bamba would be nice, not sure he wants to come off the bench, I think a team could give him more, but would love to have him be here as a back up. Also play Rob less during the regular season and get ready for the playoffs.

[GetLucky]

I think the Celtics' biggest decision is going to be around Horford. He was such a huge part of the team this year and seemed so happy to be back in Boston, it'd be great to have him back. But he's also 36. I wonder if the Celtics have enough to get John Collins. There have been rumors forever that Collins wants out of Atlanta and he'd be a perfect fit.

Two free agency names I keep thinking about are Otto Porter and Mo Bamba.

Porter is a big, versatile wing who can shoot 3's and play defense and the Warriors tax situation is insane. Maybe he wants to jump over to the ship that's one the rise. He's got a bad injury history but he's only 29.

If Orlando is drafting yet another big man, Bamba might be the odd man out there. He's got legit size, he's only 24, and last year he become something of a 3-point shooter. He can back up Rob and if that 3-point shooting is real and the plan remains to start Rob on wings (and if Rob's passing finally becomes part of the offensive gameplan), I could even see Rob and Bamba out there together, shutting down the rim.

I'm wondering about Al too, he said all the things about coming back next season, but they guaranteed his contract in the Bucks series. Don't know if thats a thank you for being a great teammate payday, or if they wanted the full for a trade. Cause you could have reworked his contract, cause some one said you can't use the 17mill TPE in a sign and trade cause it would put us over, but if you reworked Al's contract it would fit. Not sure if thats true anyone out there can confirm or deny this?

Mo Bamba would be nice, not sure he wants to come off the bench, I think a team could give him more, but would love to have him be here as a back up. Also play Rob less during the regular season and get ready for the playoffs.

This is wrong on pretty much all counts. Al's contract counts as the same amount for salary-matching purposes no matter how much of it is guaranteed (so it would have actually been more tradable if it wasn't all guaranteed), and NBA teams can't just "rework" contracts' base salaries like in the NFL. You also can't combine a player's salary and a TPE to bring back a combined amount.

I was a huge Bamba fan coming out of the draft, but I've heard rumblings that, although he's a nice kid, no one close to him has faith he'll be an impact player on a winning team. I think Wendell Carter Jr. is the big you want there, if at all workable.

[gouki88]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

[Sketch5]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

Carter is only making 14 and some change next year, Thies and Neismith work money wise, Orlando may like to take a shot on Neismith, They have a bunch of bigs and will be grabbing an other this draft. But it sounds like Mo Bamba and Issac are on the outs.

Maybe in one Deal we use our TPE for Ross, then in an other Theis and Neismith with a couple pics for Carter. If we have to throw Pritchard in, I'd do it. Carter with one year of Horford teaching him would be great!

[gouki88]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

Carter is only making 14 and some change next year, Thies and Neismith work money wise, Orlando may like to take a shot on Neismith, They have a bunch of bigs and will be grabbing an other this draft. But it sounds like Mo Bamba and Issac are on the outs.

Maybe in one Deal we use our TPE for Ross, then in an other Theis and Neismith with a couple pics for Carter. If we have to throw Pritchard in, I'd do it. Carter with one year of Horford teaching him would be great!

I have no idea what Nesmith's value is like right now, but they certainly do need perimeter play. Smith/Holmgren/Banchero would immediately be demanding of the minutes that Wendell Carter is getting right now, and Franz Wagner put up an excellent rookie season.

I wonder if a group of the following (+ picks) appeals to them:
Suggs / Pritchard
Anthony / Fultz / Harris
F. Wagner / Okeke / Nesmith
Smith / Theis
Bamba / M. Wagner

Then we'd be left with this team:
Smart / White
Brown / Ross
Tatum / MLE target (Otto Porter?)
Horford / Grant
Rob / Wendell Carter Jr.

If we could get that last veteran wing to round out the roster I'd be pretty happy with this scenario.

[Roy H.]

Al's contract counts as the same amount for salary-matching purposes no matter how much of it is guaranteed

Not true.  Only guaranteed salary counts for salary matching purposes.

[mef730]

I like Barnes but would rather get Bruce brown instead of green.

I really like Bruce Brown, but I can't see him leaving for the Taxpayer MLE.  I frequently throw in Jeff Green simply because he's one of the few guys that is making in the $4 million range, and would fit into the TPE after re-acquiring Richardson.  Plus he's an expiring, and could easily be flipped at the deadline.

Celtics: "Bruce, how about the Taxpayer MLE?"
Brown: "Nah, that's not enough to get me to leave."
Celtics: "Hey, we also heard that Kyrie has committed to the Nets for five years."
Brown: "Tell me more about housing options near Causeway Street..."

[jambr380]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

Eh, Al is the one who left us. And it took giving up a good 1st to reacquire him for the 'worst' years of his contract. It might not be an amazing look, but it would be more inconsequential.

Carter would be a nice Al replacement, but so would Isaac (assuming he's healthy). BOS and ORL seem to have a pretty good working relationship looking at recent deals (Fournier last year, Bol/Dozier this year), so it's entirely possible something could get done.

[gouki88]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

Eh, Al is the one who left us. And it took giving up a good 1st to reacquire him for the 'worst' years of his contract. It might not be an amazing look, but it would be more inconsequential.

Carter would be a nice Al replacement, but so would Isaac (assuming he's healthy). BOS and ORL seem to have a pretty good working relationship looking at recent deals (Fournier last year, Bol/Dozier this year), so it's entirely possible something could get done.

Assuming Isaac's health is like assuming Greg Oden's

[libermaniac]

Can we use our TPEs in a sign and trade? Eg if we like a FA and want to pay him $17 million can his current team sign him and trade him to us where we use the TPE and a draft pick?

[Sketch5]

Wendell Carter is an interesting guy to target as a long-term replacement for Al. I’d be very on board. I have no idea if Orlando would want Al plus whatever assets are required. Al ending his career in Florida would be cool, but I think we’d be regarded as villainous again, similar to the IT trade.

Carter is only making 14 and some change next year, Thies and Neismith work money wise, Orlando may like to take a shot on Neismith, They have a bunch of bigs and will be grabbing an other this draft. But it sounds like Mo Bamba and Issac are on the outs.

Maybe in one Deal we use our TPE for Ross, then in an other Theis and Neismith with a couple pics for Carter. If we have to throw Pritchard in, I'd do it. Carter with one year of Horford teaching him would be great!

I have no idea what Nesmith's value is like right now, but they certainly do need perimeter play. Smith/Holmgren/Banchero would immediately be demanding of the minutes that Wendell Carter is getting right now, and Franz Wagner put up an excellent rookie season.

I wonder if a group of the following (+ picks) appeals to them:
Suggs / Pritchard
Anthony / Fultz / Harris
F. Wagner / Okeke / Nesmith
Smith / Theis
Bamba / M. Wagner

Then we'd be left with this team:
Smart / White
Brown / Ross
Tatum / MLE target (Otto Porter?)
Horford / Grant
Rob / Wendell Carter Jr.

If we could get that last veteran wing to round out the roster I'd be pretty happy with this scenario.

Yep, I would start Carter over Horford maybe, he's at least getting the bulk of the playing time, I think he's quick enough to do what Al did this year. He shoots it well from the out side so teams would have to respect it more than the do Al which opens the floor for Brown and tatum to drive. That was killing them teams collapsing cause they didn't have to respect Rob/Smart/Horford as shooters. So unless you get a shooting PG you need to have one of your bigs shoot.

Porter would be good, BAtum maybe? He still shoots it well. Kyle Anderson would be nice to have a ball handling G/F. Kick the tires on Yam again for  aback up PG incase Smart or White go down.

[Roy H.]

Can we use our TPEs in a sign and trade? Eg if we like a FA and want to pay him $17 million can his current team sign him and trade him to us where we use the TPE and a draft pick?

Technically yes.  Practically no.

Acquiring any player via S&T would hard cap us around $5 million over the tax line.

Before signing anybody, we’re already about $8 million above the tax, I read.

So, to S&T for a $17 million player, we’d have to cut maybe $22 million in existing salary.