Celtics News

[Donoghus]

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine
?
4m
Amari Williams has agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of
GSL Sports Group tells
@TheSteinLine
.

Williams was the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

[wdleehi]

So the Celtics seem to be set for big men for the next two seasons now?   

[Roy H.]

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine
?
4m
Amari Williams has agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of
GSL Sports Group tells
@TheSteinLine
.

Williams was the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Going from a vet minimum to a rookie minimum saves quite a bit of money.

[celticinorlando]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

[Jiri Welsch]

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine
?
4m
Amari Williams has agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of
GSL Sports Group tells
@TheSteinLine
.

Williams was the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Going from a vet minimum to a rookie minimum saves quite a bit of money.

Can you explain to the plebes (me) out here?

[Roy H.]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

[Roy H.]

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine
?
4m
Amari Williams has agreed to a two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of
GSL Sports Group tells
@TheSteinLine
.

Williams was the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Going from a vet minimum to a rookie minimum saves quite a bit of money.

Can you explain to the plebes (me) out here?

First, there's this:

Yossi Gozlan: Amari Williams will have a $490,128 cap hit if converted today. Max Shulga could also get the same contract. This helps the Celtics stay under the luxury tax after they get under it. They can get below it by trading three more minimum players. They have 3 seconds available.

The first part is the important part.  Rookies will count $490k against our salary cap; guys with two or more years of experience are closer to $800k - $900k, I think.  I haven't done the math, but it's the 2-year minimum, prorated.

[celticinorlando]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

[Roy H.]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

No idea.  I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think the team will be comfortable starting Queta (or Vuc) / JT / Hauser / JB / White.  And, if JT doesn't come back, a buyout isn't going to make a difference.

[celticinorlando]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

No idea.  I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think the team will be comfortable starting Queta (or Vuc) / JT / Hauser / JB / White.  And, if JT doesn't come back, a buyout isn't going to make a difference.

I am assuming JT returns. Hauser starting weakens the bench. Baylor starting weakens the starting line up. Just a catch 22 for Brad. And yes, if JT does not return it does not matter.

Clear the decks as much as you can for next season if that is the case.

[Jiri Welsch]

So it seems like they'll try to trade Tillman if they can find a suitor.

Based on Roy's info: Celtics goal might be to replace 3 minimum veteran contracts with 3 minimum rookie contracts. No real interest in a buy-out vet.

[Roy H.]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

No idea.  I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think the team will be comfortable starting Queta (or Vuc) / JT / Hauser / JB / White.  And, if JT doesn't come back, a buyout isn't going to make a difference.

I am assuming JT returns. Hauser starting weakens the bench. Baylor starting weakens the starting line up. Just a catch 22 for Brad. And yes, if JT does not return it does not matter.

Clear the decks as much as you can for next season if that is the case.

What buyout candidate *would* be a difference maker?

I mean, if C.J. McCollum got bought out, the Celts should go all in.  Barring that, I think they'd look to dodge the tax if they can.

[Phantom255x]

At this point I don't see why they'd trade Minott and Boucher away but stay 1-2M above the tax. If they need to attach some future second rounder to dump Tillman and get under, do it. I feel they'll do that.

[boscel33]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

No idea.  I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think the team will be comfortable starting Queta (or Vuc) / JT / Hauser / JB / White.  And, if JT doesn't come back, a buyout isn't going to make a difference.

I am assuming JT returns. Hauser starting weakens the bench. Baylor starting weakens the starting line up. Just a catch 22 for Brad. And yes, if JT does not return it does not matter.

Clear the decks as much as you can for next season if that is the case.

What buyout candidate *would* be a difference maker?

I mean, if C.J. McCollum got bought out, the Celts should go all in.  Barring that, I think they'd look to dodge the tax if they can.

Kris Middleton could be if bought out. 

[Roy H.]

Seems one of the roster spots has to be a buyout guard.

One roster spot is filled by Amari Williams.  The other will be probably be taken by Max Shulga.  Then, wait to sign Ron Harper.

I don't think we'll add an external free agent.  Perhaps if we also trade Tillman, I guess, but even then it's so much more advantageous to sign a rookie.

But none of those guys do anything in the playoffs. They need another legit rotational piece for the playoffs. Boston's is really thin at guard now. PP goes back to the bench...who is going to start in the playoffs?

No idea.  I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think the team will be comfortable starting Queta (or Vuc) / JT / Hauser / JB / White.  And, if JT doesn't come back, a buyout isn't going to make a difference.

I am assuming JT returns. Hauser starting weakens the bench. Baylor starting weakens the starting line up. Just a catch 22 for Brad. And yes, if JT does not return it does not matter.

Clear the decks as much as you can for next season if that is the case.

What buyout candidate *would* be a difference maker?

I mean, if C.J. McCollum got bought out, the Celts should go all in.  Barring that, I think they'd look to dodge the tax if they can.

Kris Middleton could be if bought out.

He's not a rotation-level player on a contender anymore, though.  I'm fine with Hugo getting minutes over him