Celtics News

[radiohead]

https://x.com/kporzee/status/1937829559140778048

Thank you KP!

[Roy H.]

Doing some quick math via Spotrac, here's where things stand, before taking into account draft picks:

$35,878,571 in
$63,131,707 out

Net:  $27,253,136 cleared

$7,293,263 below second apron
$4,585,737 above first apron
$12,634,737 over luxury tax

[slamtheking]

Doing some quick math via Spotrac, here's where things stand, before taking into account draft picks:

$35,878,571 in
$63,131,707 out

Net:  $27,253,136 cleared

$7,293,263 below second apron
$4,585,737 above first apron
$12,634,737 over luxury tax

dumping Niang with a second rounder (if needed) for a highly-protected second (assuming C's wouldn't be able to get something of real value back) would get them some distance below the first apron and presumably more maneuverability to fill out the roster a bit better.  maybe get Luke back and possibly Al without going back over the second apron.

[celticinorlando]

Draft day. I think the Cs stay put and pick a big.

Counting the days until Niang is offloaded.

Hopefully it's only counting the hours until his is offloaded.  Can't stand Niang and don't want to ever see him in a C's uniform.

I think Niang could be useful. We have no depth at big forward with Tatum out.

I would play Hauser / Jaylen at forward and go small as 1st choice but if the team has too much size / muscle then Niang is a good alternative to Hauser. Keep providing that three point threat while giving us a bigger body to bang on defense.

My guess is that Brad is going to dump one of Niang or Hauser for salary reasons.  Niang's $8.2 million could be the difference between bringing Horford back or not.

Niang needs to go so Al can live on as a Celtic.

[jambr380]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

[tonydelk]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

[Who]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

I believe it would cost that much if you do not want to take any salary back in return.

If you are taking some salary back, I think you could trade Niang for a lower salary at the cost of a mid to late 2nd round pick.

It is hard to see teams who will be interested in acquiring him at $8mil. Niang is probably in the bottom third of backup PFs. That is typically a minimum contract player which is what Niang should be earning. Taking on all that extra salary just for a mid to late 2nd is a big ask. I believe it would cost the #31 pick.

[Roy H.]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

I believe it would cost that much if you do not want to take any salary back in return.

If you are taking some salary back, I think you could trade Niang for a lower salary at the cost of a mid to late 2nd round pick.

It is hard to see teams who will be interested in acquiring him at $8mil. Niang is probably in the bottom third of backup PFs. That is typically a minimum contract player which is what Niang should be earning. Taking on all that extra salary just for a mid to late 2nd is a big ask. I believe it would cost the #31 pick.

It's hard to say.  One thing that is new is that many teams can now absorb his contract because teams can use their MLE to obtain players.  I did a brief look a few weeks back, and it looks like around 17 or so teams could have access to their full MLEs.

All it takes is one team looking for a floor stretcher on an expiring deal along with a free #2.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

I believe it would cost that much if you do not want to take any salary back in return.

If you are taking some salary back, I think you could trade Niang for a lower salary at the cost of a mid to late 2nd round pick.

It is hard to see teams who will be interested in acquiring him at $8mil. Niang is probably in the bottom third of backup PFs. That is typically a minimum contract player which is what Niang should be earning. Taking on all that extra salary just for a mid to late 2nd is a big ask. I believe it would cost the #31 pick.

I'm not really arguing what I think and or on what you think. We argued this on the thread I did a few weeks ago. Here is the historical data of recent salary dumps and their cost.

- Tim Hardaway to the Pistons - The Mavs traded Hardaway's 31 year self, coming off a rough playoffs and having 1 year left on his 16m contract. They included 3 2nd round picks, but the Mavs also received back a prospect in return that could replace Hardaway.
- Joe Harris to the Pistons - The Nets traded Joe Harris and 2 2nd rounders to the Pistons for nothing. The 32 year old had 1 year and almost 20m left on his contract, but he retired that next season. He was completely washed at that point. That 20m was dead money.
- Noel and Burks to the Pistons - The Knicks were trying to clear cap space with this deal. They had to include 2 2nd round picks and they got 1 heavily protected 2nd rounder back. Noel had 9.2m on 1 year, but Burks had over 20m on 2 years left. Burks was a mildly useful player off the bench (8-9th man). So the cost to clear 30m was 2 2nd rounders.
- Jordan to the Pistons - The Nets traded 4 second round picks to get back 2 players that would never play for them. The 32 year-old ineffective and injury-prone center had 20m remaining on his contract and the Pistons.
- Fournier to the Knicks - The Celtics traded 2 2nd round picks to dump the 29 year old that had just had a rough stint with the Celtics. He had over 50m left on his contract.

There are probably more examples, but a few things to note:
1. Salary "dumps" almost never involve more than a few second round picks.
2. The team trading for these players normally are looking to rehab the value or are just needing vets to play minutes while they rebuild.
3. The guys from my list above are all better than the guys on this list, with the exception of Hauser. Teams are not just getting salaries or scrubs. They are getting really, really good players that just won a championship.

[Roy H.]

Random media quotes that don't tell us a lot:

Chris Mannix: ?The market is robust right now for Sam Hauser, from what I?ve heard. I mean, he?s starting that four-year, $45 million deal.?

The Celtics, aiming to reduce their luxury tax bill for next season, are now listening to offers for both Brown and White, according to Shams Charania on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. ?It means that phone lines are ringing in Boston,? Charania said. ?My understanding is that the Celtics are getting offers called on both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.?

Bobby Krivitsky: Shams on SVP tonight: ?Will a team match that price threshold that the Celtics, I?m told, have set around the league for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to be able to get them? They are listening, but will a team get there??

?The Celtics have a high price threshold for both of these players. They know how great Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are, so I am sure they are getting some massive offers, some pretty big-time calls as well,? Charania said, before revealing that the Celtics? preference still remains keeping both the stars. However, finances may be forcing their hand. ?This is a team that is still in the first apron, still a luxury tax team, still dealing with the uncertainty of Jayson Tatum?s status next season,? Charania continued. 9 hours ago ? via Clutch Points

[tonydelk]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

I believe it would cost that much if you do not want to take any salary back in return.

If you are taking some salary back, I think you could trade Niang for a lower salary at the cost of a mid to late 2nd round pick.

It is hard to see teams who will be interested in acquiring him at $8mil. Niang is probably in the bottom third of backup PFs. That is typically a minimum contract player which is what Niang should be earning. Taking on all that extra salary just for a mid to late 2nd is a big ask. I believe it would cost the #31 pick.

I'm not really arguing what I think and or on what you think. We argued this on the thread I did a few weeks ago. Here is the historical data of recent salary dumps and their cost.

- Tim Hardaway to the Pistons - The Mavs traded Hardaway's 31 year self, coming off a rough playoffs and having 1 year left on his 16m contract. They included 3 2nd round picks, but the Mavs also received back a prospect in return that could replace Hardaway.
- Joe Harris to the Pistons - The Nets traded Joe Harris and 2 2nd rounders to the Pistons for nothing. The 32 year old had 1 year and almost 20m left on his contract, but he retired that next season. He was completely washed at that point. That 20m was dead money.
- Noel and Burks to the Pistons - The Knicks were trying to clear cap space with this deal. They had to include 2 2nd round picks and they got 1 heavily protected 2nd rounder back. Noel had 9.2m on 1 year, but Burks had over 20m on 2 years left. Burks was a mildly useful player off the bench (8-9th man). So the cost to clear 30m was 2 2nd rounders.
- Jordan to the Pistons - The Nets traded 4 second round picks to get back 2 players that would never play for them. The 32 year-old ineffective and injury-prone center had 20m remaining on his contract and the Pistons.
- Fournier to the Knicks - The Celtics traded 2 2nd round picks to dump the 29 year old that had just had a rough stint with the Celtics. He had over 50m left on his contract.

There are probably more examples, but a few things to note:
1. Salary "dumps" almost never involve more than a few second round picks.
2. The team trading for these players normally are looking to rehab the value or are just needing vets to play minutes while they rebuild.
3. The guys from my list above are all better than the guys on this list, with the exception of Hauser. Teams are not just getting salaries or scrubs. They are getting really, really good players that just won a championship.

I'd rather the C's waive/buyout and stretch Niang then lose pick 31. 

[Celtics4ever]

I thought it was pick 32?

[Vermont Green]

Trading Niang basically allows us to use the taxpayer MLE and pay Al and Kornet taxpayer MLE-level money.

Using a 2nd to get off of Niang would then mean we needed to pay to get off of KP's contract (since we only traded 2nds in the deal), but it'd obviously be worth it for our depth. Good news is, we can now send cash in a trade if needed since we're below the 2nd apron, although that maybe more helpful if we are looking to save a few million by sending out a couple minimum guys at the deadline

Question is would you trade 31 to offload Niang?  That could be what it takes.

There's no way that's the cost. Maybe 2 future late second rounders. If you look at the history of the cost to dump salary, it's almost always 1 mid-to-late second rounder for a salary this size.

I believe it would cost that much if you do not want to take any salary back in return.

If you are taking some salary back, I think you could trade Niang for a lower salary at the cost of a mid to late 2nd round pick.

It is hard to see teams who will be interested in acquiring him at $8mil. Niang is probably in the bottom third of backup PFs. That is typically a minimum contract player which is what Niang should be earning. Taking on all that extra salary just for a mid to late 2nd is a big ask. I believe it would cost the #31 pick.

I'm not really arguing what I think and or on what you think. We argued this on the thread I did a few weeks ago. Here is the historical data of recent salary dumps and their cost.

- Tim Hardaway to the Pistons - The Mavs traded Hardaway's 31 year self, coming off a rough playoffs and having 1 year left on his 16m contract. They included 3 2nd round picks, but the Mavs also received back a prospect in return that could replace Hardaway.
- Joe Harris to the Pistons - The Nets traded Joe Harris and 2 2nd rounders to the Pistons for nothing. The 32 year old had 1 year and almost 20m left on his contract, but he retired that next season. He was completely washed at that point. That 20m was dead money.
- Noel and Burks to the Pistons - The Knicks were trying to clear cap space with this deal. They had to include 2 2nd round picks and they got 1 heavily protected 2nd rounder back. Noel had 9.2m on 1 year, but Burks had over 20m on 2 years left. Burks was a mildly useful player off the bench (8-9th man). So the cost to clear 30m was 2 2nd rounders.
- Jordan to the Pistons - The Nets traded 4 second round picks to get back 2 players that would never play for them. The 32 year-old ineffective and injury-prone center had 20m remaining on his contract and the Pistons.
- Fournier to the Knicks - The Celtics traded 2 2nd round picks to dump the 29 year old that had just had a rough stint with the Celtics. He had over 50m left on his contract.

There are probably more examples, but a few things to note:
1. Salary "dumps" almost never involve more than a few second round picks.
2. The team trading for these players normally are looking to rehab the value or are just needing vets to play minutes while they rebuild.
3. The guys from my list above are all better than the guys on this list, with the exception of Hauser. Teams are not just getting salaries or scrubs. They are getting really, really good players that just won a championship.

All these prior examples are from before the changes to the salary/tax/apron rules.  There was no 2nd apron back then.  It is not going to be as easy to dump salaries as it was in the past.

I can see BOS looking for an easy way out of Niang's contract but it is only $8.2M.  I think what Plan A will be is trading Simons, and more likely at the deadline than during the off season, but either is possible.  Simons is at least a productive player with some ceiling.  A veteran team may give us a young player and/or draft picks for him.  Or a rebuilding team may see some value in having him.  Something along the lines of the Porzingis deal where a 3rd team absorbs some money but we get a player back, hopefully a better player than Niang.

If we get to the deadline and nothing good for Niang or Simons has materialized, then you can go about just dumping Niang and/or Simons to stay under the 2nd apron and maybe even get under the tax threshold.  Meanwhile, 2025-26 is a lost season in any case.