Cs want to sign Damian Lillard (But he's going back to POR)

[Roy H.]

I guess Washburn answered my previous question. According to him JT and DL are friends and they very well might rehab together if Dame comes this way. Of course no one knows the degree to which that is true or the degree to which that is a real motivator for Lillard to come to Boston, but speculation appears to be growing that there is smoke to this rumor.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jayson-tatum-news-emerges-amid-190159300.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJLXRjUhLOnJl_y0vtU-haaILho_rnv3QuS9W0C_QMKA3RMF-GUtNNKw2YiExZLCKoQGiOeKt39mm2ofK_4hx5f7amhiesBM3z9lZAlLKNtj63DpA3bb-P2dx6tpsPV7589rYXEcM9EFGqtVnaHgWdVdIMJxIAMj_IUHb2ULt9MG

Let's bring up the other poster's idea, ask Haliburton does he also want to recover in Boston with Tatum and Dame? We'll give Indy Jaylen Brown for him and a few key guys. A Big 3 of Dame, Tatum, and Haliburton? Ooooof got a few ice in their veins players to rely on now

I would rather have JB.

as would I. That trade doesn't make sense

That said, one of the questions I have about recent Celtics history is whether we tried to move up for Haliburton in the 2020 draft.  I was very surprised he fell, and I think every Celtics fan I knew was hoping we'd move up from 14 to 12 to get him.  I wonder what the cost would have been.

[Celtics4ever]

I would sign him for the vet minimum if he would take it, but I expect he would want more.   

I always wondered whether Lebron is human.

He does not have the same elevation as he did when he was young.   He is still an amazing athlete for his age, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1XKUV-GYJk

[Vermont Green]

I don't trade Brown for Haliburton.  His durability concerns me.  When he is on the court, I see his talent as comparable to Brown.  Brown has his own durability concerns but nothing compared to Haliburton.

As to Lillard, I hate to have to sign him for 2025-26, even on a min contract.  I guess we could then DPE him (or Tatum or both) and fill their roster spots.  Assuming that could all be worked out and we stay under 2nd apron for 2025-26 (dump Niang or whatever), definitely something I would be in on.  It makes a lot of sense for both parties, but only if Lillard is OK signing to min contracts.

[Roy H.]

I don't trade Brown for Haliburton.  His durability concerns me.  When he is on the court, I see his talent as comparable to Brown.  Brown has his own durability concerns but nothing compared to Haliburton.

As to Lillard, I hate to have to sign him for 2025-26, even on a min contract.  I guess we could then DPE him (or Tatum or both) and fill their roster spots.  Assuming that could all be worked out and we stay under 2nd apron for 2025-26 (dump Niang or whatever), definitely something I would be in on.  It makes a lot of sense for both parties, but only if Lillard is OK signing to min contracts.

It's not going to be hard to stay below the apron in 2027.  Currently (without accounting for Simons) we're about $40 to $45 million below it.

[Roy H.]

Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them. The nine-time All-Star is in no hurry to sign, but the Celtics are interested in a multi-year deal that would allow him to return fully healthy from his torn Achilles for the 2026-27 season in a Celtics uniform along with a healed Tatum for a title run. According to NBA sources, Jayson Tatum has been active in recruiting Lillard to Boston, and the market for the point guard is limited because his injury will prevent him from likely playing most of next season. Lillard sustained his injury on April 27, 15 days prior to Tatum?s injury. ? via Boston Globe

Lillard is considering his options, but the Celtics have their taxpayer mid-level contract to offer. And the consensus from talking to league executives here in Las Vegas is the Celtics do have a chance in the Lillard sweepstakes. ? via Boston Globe

[Goldstar88]

Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them. The nine-time All-Star is in no hurry to sign, but the Celtics are interested in a multi-year deal that would allow him to return fully healthy from his torn Achilles for the 2026-27 season in a Celtics uniform along with a healed Tatum for a title run. According to NBA sources, Jayson Tatum has been active in recruiting Lillard to Boston, and the market for the point guard is limited because his injury will prevent him from likely playing most of next season. Lillard sustained his injury on April 27, 15 days prior to Tatum?s injury. ? via Boston Globe

Lillard is considering his options, but the Celtics have their taxpayer mid-level contract to offer. And the consensus from talking to league executives here in Las Vegas is the Celtics do have a chance in the Lillard sweepstakes. ? via Boston Globe

I like hearing that Tatum is recruiting players. Not sure if that will be enough in this case. Lillard seemed adamant on going to Miami before he was traded to Milwaukee. I see him going to the Heat or a team in California.

[tonydelk]

Damian Lillard remains a free agent but is considering his options, and the Celtics are indeed one of them. The nine-time All-Star is in no hurry to sign, but the Celtics are interested in a multi-year deal that would allow him to return fully healthy from his torn Achilles for the 2026-27 season in a Celtics uniform along with a healed Tatum for a title run. According to NBA sources, Jayson Tatum has been active in recruiting Lillard to Boston, and the market for the point guard is limited because his injury will prevent him from likely playing most of next season. Lillard sustained his injury on April 27, 15 days prior to Tatum?s injury. ? via Boston Globe

Lillard is considering his options, but the Celtics have their taxpayer mid-level contract to offer. And the consensus from talking to league executives here in Las Vegas is the Celtics do have a chance in the Lillard sweepstakes. ? via Boston Globe

I like hearing that Tatum is recruiting players. Not sure if that will be enough in this case. Lillard seemed adamant on going to Miami before he was traded to Milwaukee. I see him going to the Heat or a team in California.

That was when Miami had Butler.  Miami isn't close to winning a chip.  Boston offers the best chance.  Tatum, White, Dame, JB is a big 4 that can compete with anyone.  Dame is at the age where he needs to win now or he wont win at all.  I think Boston is a top choice.  Just makes too much sense.

[Roy H.]

So, if we used the MLE on Lillard, we'd probably dump Niang to get under the second apron and pay the tax, right?

[Vermont Green]

So, if we used the MLE on Lillard, we'd probably dump Niang to get under the second apron and pay the tax, right?

Niang is probably dumped in any case but absolutely if we sign Lillard in 2025.  He may also make Simons more expendable. Not sure we need both. 

[Goldstar88]

So, if we used the MLE on Lillard, we'd probably dump Niang to get under the second apron and pay the tax, right?

Niang is probably dumped in any case but absolutely if we sign Lillard in 2025.  He may also make Simons more expendable. Not sure we need both.

If Niang gets dumped, who is starting for Boston at PF. Tillman?

[Vermont Green]

So, if we used the MLE on Lillard, we'd probably dump Niang to get under the second apron and pay the tax, right?

Niang is probably dumped in any case but absolutely if we sign Lillard in 2025.  He may also make Simons more expendable. Not sure we need both.

If Niang gets dumped, who is starting for Boston at PF. Tillman?

Probably no one. 4 guards/wings and a 7-footer, just like OKC. 

[Goldstar88]

So, if we used the MLE on Lillard, we'd probably dump Niang to get under the second apron and pay the tax, right?

Niang is probably dumped in any case but absolutely if we sign Lillard in 2025.  He may also make Simons more expendable. Not sure we need both.

If Niang gets dumped, who is starting for Boston at PF. Tillman?

Probably no one. 4 guards/wings and a 7-footer, just like OKC.

OKC was starting Holmgren at PF and Hartenstein at C.

[keevsnick]

Celtics can't use the taxpayer MLE right now, doing so hard caps a team at the 2nd apron. They'd need to dump Niang into somebodies' exception then they would be able to use the full taxpayer MLE and stay below the 2nd apron.

As for who would start at PF: Probably Hauser. Him and Niang are pretty much the same size. Its not ideal from a defensive perspective as you'd like a better team defender and secondary rim protector at the 4 but then again Niang is an awful defender himself (-2.2 Def EPM, literally 1st percentile).

[Goldstar88]

Celtics can't use the taxpayer MLE right now, doing so hard caps a team at the 2nd apron. They'd need to dump Niang into somebodies' exception then they would be able to use the full taxpayer MLE and stay below the 2nd apron.

As for who would start at PF: Probably Hauser. Him and Niang are pretty much the same size. Its not ideal from a defensive perspective as you'd like a better team defender and secondary rim protector at the 4 but then again Niang is an awful defender himself (-2.2 Def EPM, literally 1st percentile).

They might be the same height, but Niang is beefier than Hauser. Georges is listed at 230lbs, but he looks heavier than that to me. His Nickname is the minivan for a reason. 

[slightly biased bias fan]

I am sure the Celtics will do their best to try and get Lillard, but from what I have read about his time in Milwaukee, I cannot see him playing in the eastern conference.

If I had to guess, Lillard will sign with someone like the Clippers or the Suns. Playing for a competitive team, that is as close to his family as possible.

You have to remember that Lillard got divorced in 2024, and he has three young children. His ex-wife is not going to move around to suit him.