2025-26 Celtics Roster

[CFAN38]

It feels weird to be back in roster building speculation mode. I admittedly struggle with the nuance required in the current CBA.

Couple of thoughts

1. I will be shocked if Tatum/JB/White are not the foundation of the new roster restructure.

2. I am confident that PP, White, Brown, Hauser, and Kornet starting with AL, Baylor and JD coming off the bench is just enough talent to make the playoffs and avoid the play in.

3. I no longer feel like I have any clue what the trade value for players really is. The Bridges trade, the Luca trade and many others have just seemed so lob sided that I hate to even guess at trades these days.

   3A One thought I have is a deal that sends Jrue to Dallas. The mavs need a PG who can fill in for and then play along side Kyrie. If they really think they can compete for a title Jrue could be an option.
   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

[Phantom255x]

I completely forgot about him. I personally have always loved Sabonis (outside of him injuring Tatum on the 3 point attempt). I don't think SAC moves on from him, but if they want to make changes, would you consider trading Jrue + Porzingis + pick(s) for Sabonis and a salary piece (maybe a 3rd team helps facilitate). Or dare I say, Jaylen for him?

I wonder if SAC considers it for Jrue + KP + picks. They are kind of stuck as is, and no one is flashy outside of Sabonis. Adding Jrue and KP could complete their roster better. I just don't think that roster is built well, they traded Fox and it's basically the Bulls 2.0 with Lavine and DeRozan. But I also don't think they want to start a true rebuild, they may want to try and be a playoff team next season. I've also read from Kings' reddit and fan blogs that they don't really think Sabonis gels well with guys like Monk and DeRozan who are more shooters but also capable of facilitation like Sabonis. Idk, I didn't know that but it was interesting to read.

A Tatum-Sabonis duo along with at least 1 (or both) of Jaylen/White makes me feel something

[Who]

I completely forgot about him. I personally have always loved Sabonis (outside of him injuring Tatum on the 3 point attempt). I don't think SAC moves on from him, but if they want to make changes, would you consider trading Jrue + Porzingis + pick(s) for Sabonis and a salary piece (maybe a 3rd team helps facilitate). Or dare I say, Jaylen for him?

I wonder if SAC considers it for Jrue + KP + picks. They are kind of stuck as is, and no one is flashy outside of Sabonis. Adding Jrue and KP could complete their roster better. I just don't think that roster is built well, they traded Fox and it's basically the Bulls 2.0 with Lavine and DeRozan. But I also don't think they want to start a true rebuild, they may want to try and be a playoff team next season. I've also read from Kings' reddit and fan blogs that they don't really think Sabonis gels well with guys like Monk and DeRozan who are more shooters but also capable of facilitation like Sabonis. Idk, I didn't know that but it was interesting to read.

A Tatum-Sabonis duo along with at least 1 (or both) of Jaylen/White makes me feel something

I wouldn't trade Jaylen for D Sabonis. Sabonis comes up short in too many big games / big matchups. I do not trust him as a #2. I view him as a #3. I would certainly trade the other package for him. But I am only interested in Sabonis if we still have Jaylen & Tatum in place.

The Kings are in an interesting situation with him. I don't think there is a way forward for them now. They have gone too far down this road. The acquisitions of DeRozan and LaVine have hurt flexability. The loss of D Fox was huge. The 2nd star they had alongside Sabonis. Now they have only 1 star and he is only a quasi-star at that. Not enough to build a high level team around. Then they waited on Keegan Murray. They bet on him becoming a star and he hasn't. So they lost that trade opportunity. That was the road to a 3rd star to put alongside Fox & Sabonis.

I don't see how they go forward. It looks like they aren't ready to admit they have no future yet. I predict they keep it together for another season. Then give up midseason or next summer. Finally accept they are going nowhere and need a major rebuild. I would expect them to dump off the borderline guys like M Monk and D DeRozan first before being willing to think about moving Sabonis.

It will be interesting to see what type of trade market Sabonis can create. What level of offers they garner. Or how much Sabonis chooses to put his hand on the weighing scales and force his way to certain situations. That was a major problem for Sacramento with D Fox.

[Who]

It feels weird to be back in roster building speculation mode. I admittedly struggle with the nuance required in the current CBA.

Couple of thoughts

2. I am confident that PP, White, Brown, Hauser, and Kornet starting with AL, Baylor and JD coming off the bench is just enough talent to make the playoffs and avoid the play in.

I don't think it is.

If that is the team with no Jrue and no Porzingis. That squad could have a tough time getting to .500.

I expect that squad to be in the play-in mix.

Looking at the East next year. Cleveland, Indiana, New York should all be top 3. Orlando should be top 6 if they are healthy next year. Milwaukee is a wild card with Giannis' trade or not traded situation. Philly should be back. Detroit are still there. All those squads are better than Boston. That is 7 teams.

I think Boston will be scrapping it out with Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto for a playoff spot through the play-in.

[Who]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Update: These are the teams picking 13-22

13 Atlanta Hawks
14 San Antonio Spurs
15 OKC Thunder
16 Orlando Magic
17 Minnesota T'Wolves
18 Washington Wizards
19 Brooklyn Nets
20 Miami Heat
21 Utah Jazz
22 Atlanta Hawks

I can't imagine Brooklyn, Washington or Utah having interest in Hauser given the early stages of their rebuilding processes. But the rest of them you could make a case for. Maybe not Miami.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Thank-you!!! I thought I was the crazy one! I have Knueuppel as one of the busts of this class. He is this advanced stats darling, but I can't help but wonder if his stats benefited greatly from playing next to Flagg.

[CFAN38]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Update: These are the teams picking 13-22

13 Atlanta Hawks
14 San Antonio Spurs
15 OKC Thunder
16 Orlando Magic
17 Minnesota T'Wolves
18 Washington Wizards
19 Brooklyn Nets
20 Miami Heat
21 Utah Jazz
22 Atlanta Hawks

I can't imagine Brooklyn, Washington or Utah having interest in Hauser given the early stages of their rebuilding processes. But the rest of them you could make a case for. Maybe not Miami.

To speak on Knueppel as he compares to Hauser they are vastly different players. Kon is a similar archetype to Baylor in that both are wings with the ability to play on the ball and at least at the college level act as a primary initiator. I do think that some draft pundits are over shooting Kon's ceiling because he will be limited athletically but I am fairly confident he is destine for a long career as a 12-16ppg player capable of starting on a good team.

 

[CFAN38]

I completely forgot about him. I personally have always loved Sabonis (outside of him injuring Tatum on the 3 point attempt). I don't think SAC moves on from him, but if they want to make changes, would you consider trading Jrue + Porzingis + pick(s) for Sabonis and a salary piece (maybe a 3rd team helps facilitate). Or dare I say, Jaylen for him?

I wonder if SAC considers it for Jrue + KP + picks. They are kind of stuck as is, and no one is flashy outside of Sabonis. Adding Jrue and KP could complete their roster better. I just don't think that roster is built well, they traded Fox and it's basically the Bulls 2.0 with Lavine and DeRozan. But I also don't think they want to start a true rebuild, they may want to try and be a playoff team next season. I've also read from Kings' reddit and fan blogs that they don't really think Sabonis gels well with guys like Monk and DeRozan who are more shooters but also capable of facilitation like Sabonis. Idk, I didn't know that but it was interesting to read.

A Tatum-Sabonis duo along with at least 1 (or both) of Jaylen/White makes me feel something

Sabonis is an 82 game player not a 16 game player. The team that builds around Sabonis will look great in the reg season and flop in the playoffs

[CFAN38]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Thank-you!!! I thought I was the crazy one! I have Knueuppel as one of the busts of this class. He is this advanced stats darling, but I can't help but wonder if his stats benefited greatly from playing next to Flagg.

He actually played his best basketball when Flagg was out

[Who]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Update: These are the teams picking 13-22

13 Atlanta Hawks
14 San Antonio Spurs
15 OKC Thunder
16 Orlando Magic
17 Minnesota T'Wolves
18 Washington Wizards
19 Brooklyn Nets
20 Miami Heat
21 Utah Jazz
22 Atlanta Hawks

I can't imagine Brooklyn, Washington or Utah having interest in Hauser given the early stages of their rebuilding processes. But the rest of them you could make a case for. Maybe not Miami.

To speak on Knueppel as he compares to Hauser they are vastly different players. Kon is a similar archetype to Baylor in that both are wings with the ability to play on the ball and at least at the college level act as a primary initiator. I do think that some draft pundits are over shooting Kon's ceiling because he will be limited athletically but I am fairly confident he is destine for a long career as a 12-16ppg player capable of starting on a good team.

Why is Knueppel better than Luke Kennard?

Similar prospect. Both Dukies.

[CFAN38]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Update: These are the teams picking 13-22

13 Atlanta Hawks
14 San Antonio Spurs
15 OKC Thunder
16 Orlando Magic
17 Minnesota T'Wolves
18 Washington Wizards
19 Brooklyn Nets
20 Miami Heat
21 Utah Jazz
22 Atlanta Hawks

I can't imagine Brooklyn, Washington or Utah having interest in Hauser given the early stages of their rebuilding processes. But the rest of them you could make a case for. Maybe not Miami.

To speak on Knueppel as he compares to Hauser they are vastly different players. Kon is a similar archetype to Baylor in that both are wings with the ability to play on the ball and at least at the college level act as a primary initiator. I do think that some draft pundits are over shooting Kon's ceiling because he will be limited athletically but I am fairly confident he is destine for a long career as a 12-16ppg player capable of starting on a good team.

Why is Knueppel better than Luke Kennard?

Similar prospect. Both Dukies.

They are similar prospects and fill the same archetype as off ball shooters who offer secondary creation. I would say Kon is a better prospect given that he is coming out as a freshman having a better first year at Duke than Luke did as a freshman. Luke went on to have a great soph season and I would expect an similare jump out of Kon had he stayed. So comparing their college production as Freshman Kon>Luke. Looking at the two players physically Kon just has a stronger frame he is 20lbs heavier coming into the draft while being a year younger. Neither project as all NBA defenders but I think Kon's strength along with his IQ will allow him to be at least a neutral defender in the playoffs.

With a lot in the draft the margins between G-League, 10th man, 6th man, and playoff starter are not huge.

Not to go full white wing comp but if we look at the current NBA Struss, Kenard, and our very own Scheierman are all in the same archetype that Kon will be joining.

[Who]

   3B Maybe there is value to be had in trading Hauser to move up in the draft and take a real swing at adding a young piece for present and the future? Once again not sure how to value players but does Hauser and #28 get the Cs up to #17 T-Wolves or #16 Magic?     

Just to go off a tangent ....

This guy Kon Knueppel. Is he even as good as Sam Hauser? This guy is going to be a lottery pick. Maybe even a mid to high lottery pick. Not even a late lotto pick.

I understand some allure of potential although I do not see it with Knueppel. But even accounting for that. If Knueppel is worth a lotto pick, should Hauser not be worth a mid 1st rounder? Somewhere in the teens.

I am sure there are playoff teams who would love to have a shooter of Hauser's caliber come off their bench. Not a liability as a defender or rebounder. Adequate at both (better than Knueppel). Locked in on an affordable contract.

I cannot understand all the trade ideas I have seen elsewhere on the site proposing trading Hauser for two 2nd rounders. He is much more valuable than that. He is worth a 1st and I think it should be closer to a mid 1st (15-22) than a late 1st (25-30).

Update: These are the teams picking 13-22

13 Atlanta Hawks
14 San Antonio Spurs
15 OKC Thunder
16 Orlando Magic
17 Minnesota T'Wolves
18 Washington Wizards
19 Brooklyn Nets
20 Miami Heat
21 Utah Jazz
22 Atlanta Hawks

I can't imagine Brooklyn, Washington or Utah having interest in Hauser given the early stages of their rebuilding processes. But the rest of them you could make a case for. Maybe not Miami.

To speak on Knueppel as he compares to Hauser they are vastly different players. Kon is a similar archetype to Baylor in that both are wings with the ability to play on the ball and at least at the college level act as a primary initiator. I do think that some draft pundits are over shooting Kon's ceiling because he will be limited athletically but I am fairly confident he is destine for a long career as a 12-16ppg player capable of starting on a good team.

Why is Knueppel better than Luke Kennard?

Similar prospect. Both Dukies.

They are similar prospects and fill the same archetype as off ball shooters who offer secondary creation. I would say Kon is a better prospect given that he is coming out as a freshman having a better first year at Duke than Luke did as a freshman. Luke went on to have a great soph season and I would expect an similare jump out of Kon had he stayed. So comparing their college production as Freshman Kon>Luke. Looking at the two players physically Kon just has a stronger frame he is 20lbs heavier coming into the draft while being a year younger. Neither project as all NBA defenders but I think Kon's strength along with his IQ will allow him to be at least a neutral defender in the playoffs.

With a lot in the draft the margins between G-League, 10th man, 6th man, and playoff starter are not huge.

Not to go full white wing comp but if we look at the current NBA Struss, Kenard, and our very own Scheierman are all in the same archetype that Kon will be joining.

I thought Kennard disappointed in the NBA because he wasn't able to defend anybody. Particularly in the playoffs. He was too slow at SG and not big enough at SF. Knueppel is a bit bigger but short arms and slow legs. I don't think that small advantage in size (over Kennard) is going to be enough to allow him to be a competent defender.

I would separate Strus and Scheierman from Kennard & Knueppel because I think they have the footspeed to defend SGs. I don't think Kennard or Knueppel can.

Kennard has had an interesting career. Plenty of promise at several stops. Detroit, LA Clippers, now in Memphis. In all of them he was supposed to be their key bench shooter. And he always shot the ball extremely well in those places. But he was never good enough defensively to stay on the floor. He couldn't start. He was moved to a bench role. But soon enough he showed himself unable to hold onto that role as well. Particularly in the playoffs.

I am not sure what Knueppel does to separate himself from Kennard and have a bigger future in the NBA than Kennard has had.

Kennard has had no shortage of opportunities. I am sure Knueppel will as well given his shooting ability but I am not sure it will go any better for him than it did for Kennard.

[Vermont Green]

As I think about next season's roster, to me it is more about who stays and who goes.  Trying to guess who goes and for what deal is really hard.  There are only a few options in terms who might go, but there are a million options as to how they would go (and none of them good options from reading through these ideas).

Keep the Core, Trade Hauser or other lesser pieces:  I would not be shocked if this is how it ended up.  Hauser could be traded for a pick or something.  Teams can use the MLE for trades now.  There would likely be some possibilities.  This does not get us under the second apron though, at least not for 2025-26.

Trade Holiday:  I see this as the most likely.  There are all kinds of ideas, none of them all that great in my view.  Even with trading Holiday, I think it will still be tough to get under the 2nd apron for 2025-26.  More likely trading Holiday will be about getting under for 2026-27 and beyond.  And a Holiday trade may be more at the deadline than in the off season.

Trade Brown:  I don't think this is likely, but also not entirely off the table.  There are a few teams that could make this work so that we get young players and/or picks back and we get under the 2nd apron.  If Brown is traded, I see that happening in the off season.

I believe it is true that even if we are over the 2nd apron in 2025-26, that it doesn't count as repeating.  My understanding is that 2024-25 is kind of a grace period season and doesn't count towards repeating penalties.  So if we are over for 2025-26, we pay a ton of tax, but the other penalties do not kick in.  But then we would absolutely need to be under in 2026-27. 

We could wait until 2026-27 (option 1 above), but then there may be fewer options to get under for 2026-27 if Holiday is still on the books (for example).  Or we keep Holiday and just let Porzingis go (unless he resigns for the min).  I think it is more strategic to trade Holiday now and be in a position to keep Porzingis in 2026-27.

Horford is another variable.  In injury parlance, I would say he is questionable for 2025-26 doubtful for 2026-27.  There are plenty of teams that could use Al Horford for one season.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Could Jaylen Brown really be traded?

I just don't see a path for how the Celtics could be a championship contender in 26-27 if Brown is traded.

Look at the second bananas on the four conference finalists this year - Williams-Randle-Towns-Siakim.

I love White, but he'd probably be the worst 2nd banana on that list.

Unless we got a massive offer for Brown, I think keeping him gives us the best chance to win in a couple years.

[CFAN38]

Could Jaylen Brown really be traded?

I just don't see a path for how the Celtics could be a championship contender in 26-27 if Brown is traded.

Look at the second bananas on the four conference finalists this year - Williams-Randle-Towns-Siakim.

I love White, but he'd probably be the worst 2nd banana on that list.

Unless we got a massive offer for Brown, I think keeping him gives us the best chance to win in a couple years.

I agree JB is flawed but an elite #2 and White is a great #3. JT needs to come back and be 90% of his pre injury self and BS needs to make smart moves with the remaining 5 playoff rotational roster spots and the Cs are back in contention.