If Jrue is to be traded...ideas

[Moranis]

I'd rather have a rack of basketballs than trade for Bogan. That dude is ass. Washed up bum.

Not sure what your comment is in reference to but the good thing about Bogdanovic is his 2nd year is a team option. 

Trading Jrue for Bogdanovic plus Batum and Eubanks, who are on 1-year deals, would save 6.7M (plus lots of tax) and then clear the books for the following season.  That plus letting Porzinigis go after next season would free up 60M in cap space while still having Tatum, JB and White for the core.   
 
Rerouting Bogdanovic to the Nets would put us at 2.7M under the 2nd apron with 13 contracts.  That would require giving up a protected 1st but may be worth it.  The roster without any other changes would be: 

Tatum, JB, White, Porzingis, Pritchard, Hauser, Batum, Eubanks, Tillman, Queta, Scheierman, Davison, Walsh. 

Add the 28th pick to fill the 15th spot and pick an international player to stash in the 2nd round.  Celts would be under the 2nd apron, still have a great core to build around and ownership's tax bill would be greatly reduced.  Could follow-up with moving Hauser to bring back Horford or Kornet if desired.

trades that make the team worse and give up assets don't make sense.

[tazzmaniac]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M.

Those trades have no chance for Boston to win a title.  They don't provide the necessary assets the team needs. That is the problem with them.  Boston needs to use this summer to create the conditions required to build an actual contender.  They need lottery picks and cap space to do that.  Bane is a solid player, but he is worse than Brown and they don't have Jrue and KP is likely gone jn 26.  That team isnt winning anything even if Tatum gets back to 100%.  I just don't want to be a playoff team, I want to be a champion and they need assets to do that because the window for this team is closed.

Teams that trade assets to tank don't win championships any time soon if at all.  Are you targeting 10+ years from now? 

Both of my proposed trades get under the tax line this season and then KP coming of the books frees up 30M.  A team built around Tatum, Bane, White and 30M in cap space certainly can compete for the ECF.  The Knicks, Cavs and Pacers just aren't that strong.  Then you just have to get lucky in the finals. 

[tazzmaniac]

I'd rather have a rack of basketballs than trade for Bogan. That dude is ass. Washed up bum.

Not sure what your comment is in reference to but the good thing about Bogdanovic is his 2nd year is a team option. 

Trading Jrue for Bogdanovic plus Batum and Eubanks, who are on 1-year deals, would save 6.7M (plus lots of tax) and then clear the books for the following season.  That plus letting Porzinigis go after next season would free up 60M in cap space while still having Tatum, JB and White for the core.   
 
Rerouting Bogdanovic to the Nets would put us at 2.7M under the 2nd apron with 13 contracts.  That would require giving up a protected 1st but may be worth it.  The roster without any other changes would be: 

Tatum, JB, White, Porzingis, Pritchard, Hauser, Batum, Eubanks, Tillman, Queta, Scheierman, Davison, Walsh. 

Add the 28th pick to fill the 15th spot and pick an international player to stash in the 2nd round.  Celts would be under the 2nd apron, still have a great core to build around and ownership's tax bill would be greatly reduced.  Could follow-up with moving Hauser to bring back Horford or Kornet if desired.

trades that make the team worse and give up assets don't make sense.

The trade makes good sense if you are dealing with reality.  All that is given up is Jrue.  Trading a pick for the Nets to eat Bogdanovic's salary is optional.  Or more accurately will be driven by ownership direction on how much salary needs to be cut for next season.   

Feel free to propose a better Jrue trade that frees up all that cap space and also gets back assets.  I won't hold my breath because no team is going to give up good assets (young players/picks) for Jrue straight up.  Let alone do so while also freeing up all that cap space for us. 

[Phantom255x]

Dallas for Hardy + Gafford. Or Sacramento for DeRozan + Ellis.

BKN or a 3rd team helps to facilitate

This is still my hope for any Jrue trade. And it seems DAL or SAC are the two most likely spots

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M.

Those trades have no chance for Boston to win a title.  They don't provide the necessary assets the team needs. That is the problem with them.  Boston needs to use this summer to create the conditions required to build an actual contender.  They need lottery picks and cap space to do that.  Bane is a solid player, but he is worse than Brown and they don't have Jrue and KP is likely gone jn 26.  That team isnt winning anything even if Tatum gets back to 100%.  I just don't want to be a playoff team, I want to be a champion and they need assets to do that because the window for this team is closed.

Teams that trade assets to tank don't win championships any time soon if at all.  Are you targeting 10+ years from now? 

Both of my proposed trades get under the tax line this season and then KP coming of the books frees up 30M.  A team built around Tatum, Bane, White and 30M in cap space certainly can compete for the ECF.  The Knicks, Cavs and Pacers just aren't that strong.  Then you just have to get lucky in the finals.

2026-2027 is what I targeted.  My plan is on the blog.  Make moves this summer to free up cap space in the summer of 2026 AND pick up some lottery picks and future draft picks (so you can use them to acquire players in addition to the cap space).  Making trades to get below the apron for lesser players and no draft picks, doesn't accomplish anything except making the team worse in the short and long term.   If you are going to trade players, you have to get draft players or legit young players or you might as well just suck it up for one more year until KP comes off the books.

[tazzmaniac]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M.

Those trades have no chance for Boston to win a title.  They don't provide the necessary assets the team needs. That is the problem with them.  Boston needs to use this summer to create the conditions required to build an actual contender.  They need lottery picks and cap space to do that.  Bane is a solid player, but he is worse than Brown and they don't have Jrue and KP is likely gone jn 26.  That team isnt winning anything even if Tatum gets back to 100%.  I just don't want to be a playoff team, I want to be a champion and they need assets to do that because the window for this team is closed.

Teams that trade assets to tank don't win championships any time soon if at all.  Are you targeting 10+ years from now? 

Both of my proposed trades get under the tax line this season and then KP coming of the books frees up 30M.  A team built around Tatum, Bane, White and 30M in cap space certainly can compete for the ECF.  The Knicks, Cavs and Pacers just aren't that strong.  Then you just have to get lucky in the finals.

2026-2027 is what I targeted.  My plan is on the blog.  Make moves this summer to free up cap space in the summer of 2026 AND pick up some lottery picks and future draft picks (so you can use them to acquire players in addition to the cap space).  Making trades to get below the apron for lesser players and no draft picks, doesn't accomplish anything except making the team worse in the short and long term.   If you are going to trade players, you have to get draft players or legit young players or you might as well just suck it up for one more year until KP comes off the books.

No idea which blog you are referring to.  We're dealing with reality not fantasy.  Ownership isn't going to just suck it up.  They aren't going to pay the largest tax ever for a team with JT injured.  KP coming off the books in 2026 doesn't help much with cap space if Jrue is still on the roster.  Jrue has to be moved to get that cap space you want and teams aren't going to give up good young players or picks for him. 

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M.

Those trades have no chance for Boston to win a title.  They don't provide the necessary assets the team needs. That is the problem with them.  Boston needs to use this summer to create the conditions required to build an actual contender.  They need lottery picks and cap space to do that.  Bane is a solid player, but he is worse than Brown and they don't have Jrue and KP is likely gone jn 26.  That team isnt winning anything even if Tatum gets back to 100%.  I just don't want to be a playoff team, I want to be a champion and they need assets to do that because the window for this team is closed.

Teams that trade assets to tank don't win championships any time soon if at all.  Are you targeting 10+ years from now? 

Both of my proposed trades get under the tax line this season and then KP coming of the books frees up 30M.  A team built around Tatum, Bane, White and 30M in cap space certainly can compete for the ECF.  The Knicks, Cavs and Pacers just aren't that strong.  Then you just have to get lucky in the finals.

2026-2027 is what I targeted.  My plan is on the blog.  Make moves this summer to free up cap space in the summer of 2026 AND pick up some lottery picks and future draft picks (so you can use them to acquire players in addition to the cap space).  Making trades to get below the apron for lesser players and no draft picks, doesn't accomplish anything except making the team worse in the short and long term.   If you are going to trade players, you have to get draft players or legit young players or you might as well just suck it up for one more year until KP comes off the books.

No idea which blog you are referring to.  We're dealing with reality not fantasy.  Ownership isn't going to just suck it up.  They aren't going to pay the largest tax ever for a team with JT injured.  KP coming off the books in 2026 doesn't help much with cap space if Jrue is still on the roster.  Jrue has to be moved to get that cap space you want and teams aren't going to give up good young players or picks for him.

They wouldn't be in the tax.  That is the point man.  You trade to get out of the tax, tank while owning your draft picks and acquire other draft picks. 

[Moranis]

This is essentially what I'd do.  You can obviously tweak these trades or do similar ones

Trade 1 with Houston
Brown for Sheppard, Brooks, Smith, Eason, 2025 1st (10), 2027 PHX 1st, 2028 HOU 1st (you may not be able to get both of those future picks, but you try)

Trade 2 with Detroit
Porzingis for Stewart, Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st (lotto protected)

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Trade 4 with Brooklyn
Hauser for 36 and future protected 2nd

Trade 5 with GS
White for Hield, Podz, GS 28 1st

New roster for next year
PG - Sheppard, Pritchard
SG - Vassell, Podz, Fontecchio
SF - Brooks, Hield, Scheireman
PF - Smith, Eason
C - Stewart, Tillman
10 + 28 + Tatum on IR + 36 (Stash or 2way)
Cut or dump Walsh

That team is not the worst team in the league, but a clear lottery team. I don't think you'd need to do the White trade either, but the idea of getting a way in the future pick of GS was appealing and I do like Podz.

Summer of 26 the guys under contract for 26-27 would be Sheppard, Vassell, Pritchard, Podz, Brooks, Hield, Stewart, Tatum, Scheireman, 10, 28, BOS 26 Lotto pick, Det 26 non-lotto pick.  I'd move some of the guys from that list at the deadline next year for an expiring contract to free up a max or near max slot, but even if you didn't you can use them as the salary filler in a trade for a star.

You then use the cap space for a complimentary piece to Tatum while still having lottery picks and future picks to use in a trade along with guys that can be salary filler.

That is the type of overhaul the team needs to win a title any time in the next 5 years.  Minor moves or moves that don't yield high level draft picks isn't going to get the team there.

[Who]

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Jrue for Devin Vassell is a trade that interests me. Much younger player. Quality starting SG. Well rounded skill-set. Strengths are not high but weaknesses are few.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is essentially what I'd do.  You can obviously tweak these trades or do similar ones

Trade 1 with Houston
Brown for Sheppard, Brooks, Smith, Eason, 2025 1st (10), 2027 PHX 1st, 2028 HOU 1st (you may not be able to get both of those future picks, but you try)

Trade 2 with Detroit
Porzingis for Stewart, Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st (lotto protected)

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Trade 4 with Brooklyn
Hauser for 36 and future protected 2nd

Trade 5 with GS
White for Hield, Podz, GS 28 1st

New roster for next year
PG - Sheppard, Pritchard
SG - Vassell, Podz, Fontecchio
SF - Brooks, Hield, Scheireman
PF - Smith, Eason
C - Stewart, Tillman
10 + 28 + Tatum on IR + 36 (Stash or 2way)
Cut or dump Walsh

That team is not the worst team in the league, but a clear lottery team. I don't think you'd need to do the White trade either, but the idea of getting a way in the future pick of GS was appealing and I do like Podz.

Summer of 26 the guys under contract for 26-27 would be Sheppard, Vassell, Pritchard, Podz, Brooks, Hield, Stewart, Tatum, Scheireman, 10, 28, BOS 26 Lotto pick, Det 26 non-lotto pick.  I'd move some of the guys from that list at the deadline next year for an expiring contract to free up a max or near max slot, but even if you didn't you can use them as the salary filler in a trade for a star.

You then use the cap space for a complimentary piece to Tatum while still having lottery picks and future picks to use in a trade along with guys that can be salary filler.

That is the type of overhaul the team needs to win a title any time in the next 5 years.  Minor moves or moves that don't yield high level draft picks isn't going to get the team there.

So the conservative argument is that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We already have a 2nd banana that has proven to be able to win a championship, and actually outplay Tatum in the conference finals and finals.

Why are we banking on the idea that we might be able to lure a free agent to Boston to play with Tatum in two years? Why then are we trading all of our players and getting back a bunch of mediocre-to-decent prospects, and hoping that some of them will pan out and be trustworthy in big games?

I'm not necessarily opposed to a rebuild. I doubt we do all of those trades. It's more likely we keep a couple of those guys while getting out of the tax. But if we do that, I think we have to get a blue-chipper somewhere back. Those trades are banking pretty hard that Smith or Podz or Sheppard can be starters on our next championship team. I think Smith has that potential, but it's tough to to strip the team down to only potential.

[Moranis]

This is essentially what I'd do.  You can obviously tweak these trades or do similar ones

Trade 1 with Houston
Brown for Sheppard, Brooks, Smith, Eason, 2025 1st (10), 2027 PHX 1st, 2028 HOU 1st (you may not be able to get both of those future picks, but you try)

Trade 2 with Detroit
Porzingis for Stewart, Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st (lotto protected)

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Trade 4 with Brooklyn
Hauser for 36 and future protected 2nd

Trade 5 with GS
White for Hield, Podz, GS 28 1st

New roster for next year
PG - Sheppard, Pritchard
SG - Vassell, Podz, Fontecchio
SF - Brooks, Hield, Scheireman
PF - Smith, Eason
C - Stewart, Tillman
10 + 28 + Tatum on IR + 36 (Stash or 2way)
Cut or dump Walsh

That team is not the worst team in the league, but a clear lottery team. I don't think you'd need to do the White trade either, but the idea of getting a way in the future pick of GS was appealing and I do like Podz.

Summer of 26 the guys under contract for 26-27 would be Sheppard, Vassell, Pritchard, Podz, Brooks, Hield, Stewart, Tatum, Scheireman, 10, 28, BOS 26 Lotto pick, Det 26 non-lotto pick.  I'd move some of the guys from that list at the deadline next year for an expiring contract to free up a max or near max slot, but even if you didn't you can use them as the salary filler in a trade for a star.

You then use the cap space for a complimentary piece to Tatum while still having lottery picks and future picks to use in a trade along with guys that can be salary filler.

That is the type of overhaul the team needs to win a title any time in the next 5 years.  Minor moves or moves that don't yield high level draft picks isn't going to get the team there.

So the conservative argument is that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We already have a 2nd banana that has proven to be able to win a championship, and actually outplay Tatum in the conference finals and finals.

Why are we banking on the idea that we might be able to lure a free agent to Boston to play with Tatum in two years? Why then are we trading all of our players and getting back a bunch of mediocre-to-decent prospects, and hoping that some of them will pan out and be trustworthy in big games?

I'm not necessarily opposed to a rebuild. I doubt we do all of those trades. It's more likely we keep a couple of those guys while getting out of the tax. But if we do that, I think we have to get a blue-chipper somewhere back. Those trades are banking pretty hard that Smith or Podz or Sheppard can be starters on our next championship team. I think Smith has that potential, but it's tough to to strip the team down to only potential.

Of course it is hard, but we see in every sport teams hang on and try to maintain, when the smart play is starting over sooner and resetting the clock.  Especially for a team like boston which has a couple of finite options and has terrible penalties under the cap.  Even if they get out of the 2nd apron, there are still repeater tax issues to account for (which will only get worse if they do push hard when Tatum comes back with roughly the same roster). 

Teams need to not only get out of the aprons, but out of the tax entirely or it just compounds until they have to blow it all up.  This is a rebuild type blow up, because you keep Tatum.  You use his injury to get out of the tax and rebuild. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is essentially what I'd do.  You can obviously tweak these trades or do similar ones

Trade 1 with Houston
Brown for Sheppard, Brooks, Smith, Eason, 2025 1st (10), 2027 PHX 1st, 2028 HOU 1st (you may not be able to get both of those future picks, but you try)

Trade 2 with Detroit
Porzingis for Stewart, Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st (lotto protected)

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Trade 4 with Brooklyn
Hauser for 36 and future protected 2nd

Trade 5 with GS
White for Hield, Podz, GS 28 1st

New roster for next year
PG - Sheppard, Pritchard
SG - Vassell, Podz, Fontecchio
SF - Brooks, Hield, Scheireman
PF - Smith, Eason
C - Stewart, Tillman
10 + 28 + Tatum on IR + 36 (Stash or 2way)
Cut or dump Walsh

That team is not the worst team in the league, but a clear lottery team. I don't think you'd need to do the White trade either, but the idea of getting a way in the future pick of GS was appealing and I do like Podz.

Summer of 26 the guys under contract for 26-27 would be Sheppard, Vassell, Pritchard, Podz, Brooks, Hield, Stewart, Tatum, Scheireman, 10, 28, BOS 26 Lotto pick, Det 26 non-lotto pick.  I'd move some of the guys from that list at the deadline next year for an expiring contract to free up a max or near max slot, but even if you didn't you can use them as the salary filler in a trade for a star.

You then use the cap space for a complimentary piece to Tatum while still having lottery picks and future picks to use in a trade along with guys that can be salary filler.

That is the type of overhaul the team needs to win a title any time in the next 5 years.  Minor moves or moves that don't yield high level draft picks isn't going to get the team there.

So the conservative argument is that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We already have a 2nd banana that has proven to be able to win a championship, and actually outplay Tatum in the conference finals and finals.

Why are we banking on the idea that we might be able to lure a free agent to Boston to play with Tatum in two years? Why then are we trading all of our players and getting back a bunch of mediocre-to-decent prospects, and hoping that some of them will pan out and be trustworthy in big games?

I'm not necessarily opposed to a rebuild. I doubt we do all of those trades. It's more likely we keep a couple of those guys while getting out of the tax. But if we do that, I think we have to get a blue-chipper somewhere back. Those trades are banking pretty hard that Smith or Podz or Sheppard can be starters on our next championship team. I think Smith has that potential, but it's tough to to strip the team down to only potential.

Of course it is hard, but we see in every sport teams hang on and try to maintain, when the smart play is starting over sooner and resetting the clock.  Especially for a team like boston which has a couple of finite options and has terrible penalties under the cap.  Even if they get out of the 2nd apron, there are still repeater tax issues to account for (which will only get worse if they do push hard when Tatum comes back with roughly the same roster). 

Teams need to not only get out of the aprons, but out of the tax entirely or it just compounds until they have to blow it all up.  This is a rebuild type blow up, because you keep Tatum.  You use his injury to get out of the tax and rebuild.

But there are also teams that don't do that, and refound success. Most recently, the Warriors won another championship even after disaster and cap issues struck them the year Durant got injured and left.

I still think it makes sense to keep Tatum and Brown, but everyone else could be moved to retool around them - Steven showed he has the ability to do that. He took a team that had one of the worst benches in the league and made them one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league.

You have to ask questions like "Will Jabari Smith give us a better chance to win the championship in two years than Zinger? How about Sheppard vs. White? What about whatever hypothetical FA that would have a 20% chance of choosing Boston vs Brown?"

That's the risk that has to be weighed. That's also why I argue you have to get blue-chippers back. The guys you get back have to have a reasonable upside to compare to or be better than our current team and where they will be in 2 years.

[Donoghus]

This is essentially what I'd do.  You can obviously tweak these trades or do similar ones

Trade 1 with Houston
Brown for Sheppard, Brooks, Smith, Eason, 2025 1st (10), 2027 PHX 1st, 2028 HOU 1st (you may not be able to get both of those future picks, but you try)

Trade 2 with Detroit
Porzingis for Stewart, Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st (lotto protected)

Trade 3 with San Antonio
Holiday for Vassell

Trade 4 with Brooklyn
Hauser for 36 and future protected 2nd

Trade 5 with GS
White for Hield, Podz, GS 28 1st

New roster for next year
PG - Sheppard, Pritchard
SG - Vassell, Podz, Fontecchio
SF - Brooks, Hield, Scheireman
PF - Smith, Eason
C - Stewart, Tillman
10 + 28 + Tatum on IR + 36 (Stash or 2way)
Cut or dump Walsh

That team is not the worst team in the league, but a clear lottery team. I don't think you'd need to do the White trade either, but the idea of getting a way in the future pick of GS was appealing and I do like Podz.

Summer of 26 the guys under contract for 26-27 would be Sheppard, Vassell, Pritchard, Podz, Brooks, Hield, Stewart, Tatum, Scheireman, 10, 28, BOS 26 Lotto pick, Det 26 non-lotto pick.  I'd move some of the guys from that list at the deadline next year for an expiring contract to free up a max or near max slot, but even if you didn't you can use them as the salary filler in a trade for a star.

You then use the cap space for a complimentary piece to Tatum while still having lottery picks and future picks to use in a trade along with guys that can be salary filler.

That is the type of overhaul the team needs to win a title any time in the next 5 years.  Minor moves or moves that don't yield high level draft picks isn't going to get the team there.

So the conservative argument is that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We already have a 2nd banana that has proven to be able to win a championship, and actually outplay Tatum in the conference finals and finals.

Why are we banking on the idea that we might be able to lure a free agent to Boston to play with Tatum in two years? Why then are we trading all of our players and getting back a bunch of mediocre-to-decent prospects, and hoping that some of them will pan out and be trustworthy in big games?

I'm not necessarily opposed to a rebuild. I doubt we do all of those trades. It's more likely we keep a couple of those guys while getting out of the tax. But if we do that, I think we have to get a blue-chipper somewhere back. Those trades are banking pretty hard that Smith or Podz or Sheppard can be starters on our next championship team. I think Smith has that potential, but it's tough to to strip the team down to only potential.

Of course it is hard, but we see in every sport teams hang on and try to maintain, when the smart play is starting over sooner and resetting the clock.  Especially for a team like boston which has a couple of finite options and has terrible penalties under the cap.  Even if they get out of the 2nd apron, there are still repeater tax issues to account for (which will only get worse if they do push hard when Tatum comes back with roughly the same roster). 

Teams need to not only get out of the aprons, but out of the tax entirely or it just compounds until they have to blow it all up.  This is a rebuild type blow up, because you keep Tatum.  You use his injury to get out of the tax and rebuild.

But there are also teams that don't do that, and refound success. Most recently, the Warriors won another championship even after disaster and cap issues struck them the year Durant got injured and left.

I still think it makes sense to keep Tatum and Brown, but everyone else could be moved to retool around them - Steven showed he has the ability to do that. He took a team that had one of the worst benches in the league and made them one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league.

You have to ask questions like "Will Jabari Smith give us a better chance to win the championship in two years than Zinger? How about Sheppard vs. White? What about whatever hypothetical FA that would have a 20% chance of choosing Boston vs Brown?"

That's the risk that has to be weighed. That's also why I argue you have to get blue-chippers back. The guys you get back have to have a reasonable upside to compare to or be better than our current team and where they will be in 2 years.

Don't worry.  All that crap ain't happening.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This one makes me cringe a bit, but ...

Celtics receive: Walker, McCain, 3rd overall pick
Sixers receive: Holiday, Whitehead, 28th overall pick
Nets receive: Drummond, Gordon, Oubre, Butler, 32nd overall pick from the Celtics

Why for the Celtics? Getting a prospect like McCain + 3rd overall pick would be a great reset for the team. Drummond, Oubre, and Gordon likely need to be diverted to a third team with the 32nd overall pick to save more cap space.

Why for the Nets? They use their space to absorb contracts and buyout the vets they don't want. They get a pick for their trouble (with as many picks as the Nets have this year, they may prefer a future pick instead, but the 32nd is a good stand-in for now).

Why for the Sixers? They are in win-now mode and need a fourth player that can help win games in the playoffs. Holiday is one of the best available right now. It's a lot to pay, but it gives you a guy that is a perfect compliment to Maxey-George-Embiid. It improves your chances to contend for the next 1-2 years with Embiid. They could resign Yabu and Grimes and still have a decent bench with Bona and Council.

I realize that this is the ceiling for a return for Holiday, and is unlikely for the Celtics. However, if you look at the Sixers roster, there just aren't many ways to improve it. George's contract is so big that he is unlikely to be traded and I doubt they would be willing to trade Maxey. A trade like the one above can only net the Sixers a salary in Holiday's range (other options include Jerami Grant, Tyler Herro, Jordan Poole, CJ McCullom, Andrew Wiggins, Michael Porter Jr.). I'd argue Holliday is probably the best available in that salary range for a team trying to win the championship.

The alternate version of this has McCain staying with the Sixers, Council going to the Celtics, and Edwards also going to the Nets. That may be more realistic.

Or, an alternate alternate version would have McCain still going to the Cs, the Nets getting the 3rd pick, the Cs getting the 8th, and the Sixers getting the 19th and 26th from the Nets.

[Roy H.]

This one makes me cringe a bit, but ...

Celtics receive: Walker, McCain, 3rd overall pick
Sixers receive: Holiday, Whitehead, 28th overall pick
Nets receive: Drummond, Gordon, Oubre, Butler, 32nd overall pick from the Celtics

Why for the Celtics? Getting a prospect like McCain + 3rd overall pick would be a great reset for the team. Drummond, Oubre, and Gordon likely need to be diverted to a third team with the 32nd overall pick to save more cap space.

Why for the Nets? They use their space to absorb contracts and buyout the vets they don't want. They get a pick for their trouble (with as many picks as the Nets have this year, they may prefer a future pick instead, but the 32nd is a good stand-in for now).

Why for the Sixers? They are in win-now mode and need a fourth player that can help win games in the playoffs. Holiday is one of the best available right now. It's a lot to pay, but it gives you a guy that is a perfect compliment to Maxey-George-Embiid. It improves your chances to contend for the next 1-2 years with Embiid. They could resign Yabu and Grimes and still have a decent bench with Bona and Council.

I realize that this is the ceiling for a return for Holiday, and is unlikely for the Celtics. However, if you look at the Sixers roster, there just aren't many ways to improve it. George's contract is so big that he is unlikely to be traded and I doubt they would be willing to trade Maxey. A trade like the one above can only net the Sixers a salary in Holiday's range (other options include Jerami Grant, Tyler Herro, Jordan Poole, CJ McCullom, Andrew Wiggins, Michael Porter Jr.). I'd argue Holliday is probably the best available in that salary range for a team trying to win the championship.

The alternate version of this has McCain staying with the Sixers, Council going to the Celtics, and Edwards also going to the Nets. That may be more realistic.

Or, an alternate alternate version would have McCain still going to the Cs, the Nets getting the 3rd pick, the Cs getting the 8th, and the Sixers getting the 19th and 26th from the Nets.

No team is giving up a top-3 pick for Jrue.