Cs want to sign Damian Lillard

[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.

OKC was starting Holmgren at PF and Hartenstein at C.

Not most of the season and not every game in the playoffs.

I am probably not being clear about what I am disagreeing with. I don?t care who plays power forward this season. Put anyone out there. They need to get it figured out for 2026. That is when it matters. Who cares who plays power forward in 2025. For 2026 yes, let?s see if we can find a real power forward or two.

[Roy H.]

I don?t care who plays power forward this season. Put anyone out there. They need to get it figured out for 2026. That is when it matters. Who cares who plays power forward in 2025. For 2026 yes, let?s see if we can find a real power forward or two.

Agreed.  If our funky lineups with JB or Hauser at PF cause us to loose games, it's no big deal next season.  Niang is completely expendable.

[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.

Not most of the season and not every game in the playoffs.

I am probably not being clear about what I am disagreeing with. I don?t care who plays power forward this season. Put anyone out there. They need to get it figured out for 2026. That is when it matters. Who cares who plays power forward in 2025. For 2026 yes, let?s see if we can find a real power forward or two.

Isaiah was injured for a good chunk of the season. He played in 57 games, started 53. In the postseason he played in 23 games and started 20. Hartenstein in their starting C. They brought him in because they wanted to have Chet at PF.

[Moranis]

Yeah the Thunder play a very big lineup

PG - SGA 6'6"
SG - Dort 6'4"
SF - Williams 6'6"
PF - Chet 7'1"
C - Hartenstein 7'0"

And Dort and Williams play bigger than they are.  That is part of what makes them so good.  They are just very long, while still being skilled enough to score and defend from anywhere.  I mean even the bench has size as Dort is the smallest guy in the rotation (Wallace is also 6'4")

[Roy H.]

Yeah the Thunder play a very big lineup

PG - SGA 6'6"
SG - Dort 6'4"
SF - Williams 6'6"
PF - Chet 7'1"
C - Hartenstein 7'0"

And Dort and Williams play bigger than they are.  That is part of what makes them so good.  They are just very long, while still being skilled enough to score and defend from anywhere.  I mean even the bench has size as Dort is the smallest guy in the rotation (Wallace is also 6'4")

I think the point was related to the regular season, when Holgrem missed 50 games.  The Thunder didn't use a traditional PF to fill his slot; they usually played an extra guard (Wallace / Wiggins / Joe).

When Holgrem got healthy he took back his spot at PF.  But, the Thunder were highly successful without him for the majority of the season.

[Moranis]

Yeah the Thunder play a very big lineup

PG - SGA 6'6"
SG - Dort 6'4"
SF - Williams 6'6"
PF - Chet 7'1"
C - Hartenstein 7'0"

And Dort and Williams play bigger than they are.  That is part of what makes them so good.  They are just very long, while still being skilled enough to score and defend from anywhere.  I mean even the bench has size as Dort is the smallest guy in the rotation (Wallace is also 6'4")

I think the point was related to the regular season, when Holgrem missed 50 games.  The Thunder didn't use a traditional PF to fill his slot; they usually played an extra guard (Wallace / Wiggins / Joe).

When Holgrem got healthy he took back his spot at PF.  But, the Thunder were highly successful without him for the majority of the season.

the other 2 Williams played a fair amount of minutes when Chet was hurt though.  Jaylin played 47 games, starting 9, at 16.7 mpg and Kenrich played 69 games, starting 7, at 16.4 mpg.  Dieng also upped his time playing just 37 games, 1 start, at 10.9 mpg.  Heck even some guy named Branden Carlson played 32 games at 7.7 mpg.  In the playoffs, Jaylin played 17 games at 8.3 mpg and Kenrich was 16 games at 8.6.  Dieng was just 9 games at 3.6 mpg.  So with the injuries and even with Wallace starting more, they did still play bigger lineups just crappier players.

[Vermont Green]

Yeah the Thunder play a very big lineup

PG - SGA 6'6"
SG - Dort 6'4"
SF - Williams 6'6"
PF - Chet 7'1"
C - Hartenstein 7'0"

And Dort and Williams play bigger than they are.  That is part of what makes them so good.  They are just very long, while still being skilled enough to score and defend from anywhere.  I mean even the bench has size as Dort is the smallest guy in the rotation (Wallace is also 6'4")

I think the point was related to the regular season, when Holgrem missed 50 games.  The Thunder didn't use a traditional PF to fill his slot; they usually played an extra guard (Wallace / Wiggins / Joe).

When Holgrem got healthy he took back his spot at PF.  But, the Thunder were highly successful without him for the majority of the season.

the other 2 Williams played a fair amount of minutes when Chet was hurt though.  Jaylin played 47 games, starting 9, at 16.7 mpg and Kenrich played 69 games, starting 7, at 16.4 mpg.  Dieng also upped his time playing just 37 games, 1 start, at 10.9 mpg.  Heck even some guy named Branden Carlson played 32 games at 7.7 mpg.  In the playoffs, Jaylin played 17 games at 8.3 mpg and Kenrich was 16 games at 8.6.  Dieng was just 9 games at 3.6 mpg.  So with the injuries and even with Wallace starting more, they did still play bigger lineups just crappier players.

Right, just look at the line ups minutes for OKC.  The vast majority of the regular season was only one of Holmgren or Hartenstein.  In the playoffs, there was more of the 2-big line up, but plenty of the 1-big 4-guards lines ups still.

I am not saying this is want I want to see in 2026-27 and beyond, but who cares in 2025-26.  For 2026 and beyond, I hope they find a real center and a real PF to play with Tatum, Brown, and White.  For 2025-26, the way the roster is shaping up, I think you are going to see the Celtics run (and lose) a lot with a 7-footer and 4 guards/wings.

[Csfan1984]

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.

That is a huge point. Probably why he refused to rehab train in Milwaukee.

Wonder if he just sits and rehabs most the year without a team then sign at deadline to a sure contender for the min.

[Goldstar88]

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.

That is a huge point. Probably why he refused to rehab train in Milwaukee.

Wonder if he just sits and rehabs most the year without a team then sign at deadline to a sure contender for the min.

He also never wanted to be in Milwaukee and seemed miserable the entire time. 

[Larry for 3]

Meh. Will he accept a heat check guy role off the bench ? Then maybe. But he plays no defense so how?s that gonna go? Can?t imagine the coaches will like that. And He?s not a starter or a 30 minute a game guy. Hard pass

[SparzWizard]

Celtics leapfrogged Warriors, Heat, and Lakers; favorites to land Damian Lillard:

https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/news/celtics-named-favorite-to-land-all-star-guard-in-blockbuster-free-agent-signing

[A Future of Stevens]

So he is going to be late 35 or 36 when we see him play for the first time, and coming off an Achilles. Let's say he comes back at 70% of last season. Don't we already have one of that player archetype in Pritchard? Except he at least tries on defense, is 8 years younger, and is on one of the best contracts in the NBA. If we get him on a minimum, sure whatever. I just wouldn't be optimistic about this changing anything for us.

Through no fault of his own, I fear Lillard may just be a name going forward in his career.

[Neurotic Guy]

So he is going to be late 35 or 36 when we see him play for the first time, and coming off an Achilles. Let's say he comes back at 70% of last season. Don't we already have one of that player archetype in Pritchard? Except he at least tries on defense, is 8 years younger, and is on one of the best contracts in the NBA. If we get him on a minimum, sure whatever. I just wouldn't be optimistic about this changing anything for us.

Through no fault of his own, I fear Lillard may just be a name going forward in his career.

Maybe.

[Birdman]

He is not going to be the Dame of Portland days, we all know this?vet minimum be only way I sign him to see if he has anything left

[Goldstar88]

So he is going to be late 35 or 36 when we see him play for the first time, and coming off an Achilles. Let's say he comes back at 70% of last season. Don't we already have one of that player archetype in Pritchard? Except he at least tries on defense, is 8 years younger, and is on one of the best contracts in the NBA. If we get him on a minimum, sure whatever. I just wouldn't be optimistic about this changing anything for us.

Through no fault of his own, I fear Lillard may just be a name going forward in his career.

Also, you can?t play PP and Dame together. The defense would collapse.