Celtics News

[Donoghus]

Horford's going to get a standing ovation the next time he steps foot in the Garden.  His legacy in Boston is very secure.

[otherdave]

If Big Al retires this summer will there still be resentment out there.

I think that he hasn't signed with GSW because he is giving great thought to asking his immediate family to move to the West Coast for one year or (Maybe Worse) him moving away from his family for one year.

I predict whatever GSW are offering him will not persuade him to put his family thru the move or separation.

I think he retires....

[slamtheking]

Horford's going to get a standing ovation the next time he steps foot in the Garden.  His legacy in Boston is very secure.

exactly.  Al has earned a genuine celebration of his accomplishments here should he return as a member of another team.  we've done it for lesser contributors.  Al's initial signing here put the C's on the map in terms of getting free agents to even consider coming here.

[jambr380]

If Big Al retires this summer will there still be resentment out there.

I think that he hasn't signed with GSW because he is giving great thought to asking his immediate family to move to the West Coast for one year or (Maybe Worse) him moving away from his family for one year.

I predict whatever GSW are offering him will not persuade him to put his family thru the move or separation.

I think he retires....

I hope he does. If he goes out to GSW to be a 6 seed and 1st round exit, he'll certainly have regretted his decision. I don't think he moves his whole family out there for 7 months of basketball, but that's strange, too, with a new baby expected in December.

[Celtics4ever]

Ray Allen left and ran his mouth about the team, Al leaves and doesn't run his mouth, he will be beloved here in perpetuity.

It is the way someone leaves. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc-qLn8rwA

A few notes from Stevens' presser today ...
 
Garza and Minott - He called Garza an advanced stats darling. Thought both Garza and Minott "had upside." He liked that they played for Finch in Minnesota and are used to winning. He liked that they both played hard and would compliment our best players. Likes Garza's physicality and toughness.

Simons - Thought his ability to shoot and make hard shots was "pretty elite" - Was impressed that he'd averaged 20ppg the last 3 years. Mentioned they felt fortunate that they were able to get back players they liked when they traded away Zinger and Jrue. Stevens gave the "I think he's a really good player" comment, which is about the highest praise he gives. He also said he thought Simons could get even better, which was a big part of the reason they liked him.

Niang - Said that he has just added value to winning for each team he's played on. He's a pain to play against, which Stevens admires.

Williams - they like Williams and think he has "high upside."

He made sure to call this "retooling" not a rebuild. Felt they had a lot of really good players still.

Said they, like all teams, are always looking at the roster in the off-season, but are very comfortable heading into next season with this group.

As far as getting out of the luxury tax altogether, said that they are prioritizing basketball assets and retooling to get the roster back to the highest level possible, not finances. Does not want to trade picks to make a move just to save some money - that has been communicated to Stevens by ownership.

Said that they'd love to have Maz around for a long time, and that Mazz is working on some new things they may try out in summer league.

Said they are looking for players that can accentuate Jaylen and Jayson and Derrick and Payton and Sam - those 5 specifically were named.

Regarding the new front court - "We're gonna find out." He thought the Celtics had an incredible luxury with Kornet and Neemis as the 3rd and 4th centers. Felt that Queta will have an opportunity this year. Said that group may be the group that gets "targeted as not our strongest position," but it will be up to them to prove otherwise.

His entire focus has been to maximize around Brown and Tatum during this window and in the next window.

I'm curious on some other thoughts from Steven's presser today. Thought there was a lot of good information here.

[jambr380]

I found a lot of what Stevens said interesting. The fact that they aren't really looking to sign more bigs or cut more salary is eye opening. They are fine being a tax team, so they clearly don't want to tank, but Queta and Garza aren't exactly Olajuwon and Sampson.

I think he was going to say nice things about Simons and Niang, regardless of whether or not we want them here. The fact that we prioritized dumping KP over Simons makes me think that we actually want Simons. KP was traded for bad multi-year salary and a late 1st. I'd imagine Simons could have gotten a similar return. Perhaps the team just wanted out of the KP business entirely.

At this point, we are obviously going to get under the 2nd apron. That will either happen by trading a player like Tillman or just not guaranteeing Davison or Walsh. If we do sign Lillard - and reports are heating up on that front - then we'll probably need to carry 15 players since 2 of them will likely be out for the year.

I'm glad that he confirmed that we did indeed offer Horford a contract and wanted him to stay. I don't necessarily blame Horford for leaving, but there have been conflicting reports of us just letting him walk, and that's now been established to not be true.

It'll be an interesting year for sure. Still hoping we see a few more tweaks and at least move off of Niang.

[Jiri Welsch]

I'm curious on some other thoughts from Steven's presser today. Thought there was a lot of good information here.

You did a great job summarizing. TP.

My biggest takeaway after listening to Brad was just that we are officially in a new era. He believes in the Jays and thinks if you surround them with the right guys, they can compete.

The previous version was DWhite-KP-Jrue-Al. The one before that was DWhite-Smart-RWIII-Grant-Al.

Brad's trying to surround DWhite-JB-JT with a new supporting cast that can help them compete. Right now we're at the "throw things against the wall and see what sticks" phase. It sounded like they're hopeful a couple guys can step up this season. He's also cognizant that this new version will require younger guys who evolve and grow -- whether they're on the team now or are acquired in the future.

[Ilikesports17]

I'm curious on some other thoughts from Steven's presser today. Thought there was a lot of good information here.

You did a great job summarizing. TP.

My biggest takeaway after listening to Brad was just that we are officially in a new era. He believes in the Jays and thinks if you surround them with the right guys, they can compete.

The previous version was DWhite-KP-Jrue-Al. The one before that was DWhite-Smart-RWIII-Grant-Al.

Brad's trying to surround DWhite-JB-JT with a new supporting cast that can help them compete. Right now we're at the "throw things against the wall and see what sticks" phase. It sounded like they're hopeful a couple guys can step up this season. He's also cognizant that this new version will require younger guys who evolve and grow -- whether they're on the team now or are acquired in the future.

Next year Simons, Walsh, Hugo, Baylor, Queta, Minott and Garza will all get opportunities to go to the next level and carve out roles in the future of this team.

In my opinion Baylor and Hugo are the only ones I'm at all optimistic about but hopefully someone else surprises me.

[celticinorlando]

Feel like for 2026 you will have these guys for sure:

JT
JB
White
PP
Hauser
Hopefully Dame on the cheap

That is the core IMO. Add in Hugo and you have 7 guys locked in.

Maybes:

Simon. Maybe they see something in him and feel he can add to the core. If not, he probably gets dumped at the deadline. I do think they tried to move him already and there was little to no interest in him. But he probably gets cut loose in a trade at the deadline. I actually think he could be good with this group if he can play defense.

If they sign Dame then Simons is gone.

Baylor. Should have a place on this team if he makes advances this season.

Queta. Will need to be the 3rd center when everything gets back to normal in 2026. Wouldn't lose sleep tho if this is his last year in Boston.

Garza. Probably a rental that they cut loose after this year. If he is a functional big then he stays for 2026 for cheap bench depth. But he is horrendous on defense.

Minott. Nothing more than a G leaguer all star IMO. Do not see him doing much in Boston and shouldn't be part of the plan. If he stays he is a poor man's Brissett.

Goners:
Tillman. Cooked, washed and on an expiring.
Niang. Nothing more than a rental that gets dumped at the deadline.
Walsh. This is pretty much it for him and I don't see him as a core piece going forward.
Davison. No need for him really this year or next.
Williams is a multi year g leaguer.

So I think they have around 5 or 6 spots open next season. One going to their lottery pick if we get to that point.

[radiohead]

If Big Al retires this summer will there still be resentment out there.

I think that he hasn't signed with GSW because he is giving great thought to asking his immediate family to move to the West Coast for one year or (Maybe Worse) him moving away from his family for one year.

I predict whatever GSW are offering him will not persuade him to put his family thru the move or separation.

I think he retires....

I hope he does. If he goes out to GSW to be a 6 seed and 1st round exit, he'll certainly have regretted his decision. I don't think he moves his whole family out there for 7 months of basketball, but that's strange, too, with a new baby expected in December.

I?m still hoping he comes back to mentor our young guns. If not, maybe semi retire and see what happens next year. If we become contenders then he comes back ala PJ Brown.

[Celtics2021]

If Big Al retires this summer will there still be resentment out there.

I think that he hasn't signed with GSW because he is giving great thought to asking his immediate family to move to the West Coast for one year or (Maybe Worse) him moving away from his family for one year.

I predict whatever GSW are offering him will not persuade him to put his family thru the move or separation.

I think he retires....

I hope he does. If he goes out to GSW to be a 6 seed and 1st round exit, he'll certainly have regretted his decision. I don't think he moves his whole family out there for 7 months of basketball, but that's strange, too, with a new baby expected in December.

I?m still hoping he comes back to mentor our young guns. If not, maybe semi retire and see what happens next year. If we become contenders then he comes back ala PJ Brown.

I think he will play somewhere else next season, but I would not be shocked if the following year he returns to Boston for his final season.  I think he has two years left in him, although will take it one year at a time.

[boscel33]

I wonder what the rules are for Al to become a "coach", but then have the Hellenic Flu hit someone and Al plays?

BTW, if you don't know what the Hellenic Flu is, I'm sorry.

[Donoghus]

NBA announced the Celtics NBA Cup group for the upcoming season.  Not an easy group here.

(I also still give zero [dang]s about the stupid Cup)

[Chief]

I wonder what the rules are for Al to become a "coach", but then have the Hellenic Flu hit someone and Al plays?

BTW, if you don't know what the Hellenic Flu is, I'm sorry.

Can he be a player/coach? League minimum as a player and $10 million a year as coach??

Im sure there are rules against this. Lol