Would you be okay with this finish to the off-season?

[Roy H.]

1.  Dump or waive/stretch Simons to get below the tax;

2. Dump Niang

3.  Sign Horford for two years, $12 million;

4.  Sign Damian Lillard

================= (summer 2026)

5.  Get lottery pick

6.  Use $20+ million trade exception on big(s)

2027 roster:

FA / Horford / Garza
Tatum
Brown / Hauser / Minott
White / Scheiermann
Lillard / Pritchard

[Who]

Why would we dump A Simons to get Lillard?

I would rather have A Simons. Younger. No achilles injury. Probably just as good as Lillard - and then better than Lillard - in the years ahead.

[Who]

No.

I want the owners to stop being so dang cheap and put together a proper team. Without A Simons and Niang, the team will be even worse to watch next season.

Just pay the tax.

[Jiri Welsch]

I would be fine with it. It definitely feels like they need to make a move or two to make the roster make sense.

I love Al and everything about his influence on the team. But I think it's in the Celtics best interest to try and find a new big for the "next era" of title contention. Could they keep Al and still search for a young option? Sure. But if we're expecting a 41 year old Horford to be an impact guy in 2027 we may be disappointed.

[Roy H.]

Why would we dump A Simons to get Lillard?

I would rather have A Simons. Younger. No achilles injury. Probably just as good as Lillard - and then better than Lillard - in the years ahead.

We would dump Simons.to get below the tax line.

[Moranis]

Id rather just trade Brown to get assets and below the tax.

[Roy H.]

Id rather just trade Brown to get assets and below the tax.

Your position is long-stated.  You haven't liked Brown in years.  I'm not sure what package is out there that brings us closer to a championship. The more likely result is that Tatum forces a trade.

[smicker16]

That would be as good of an end to this offseason as possible I feel. I just don?t think it will end up happening sadly. Do not think Horford will come back and Lillard I think will go somewhere else with a bit more of a stable situation. But if this was the end I would be more than pleased because I have much lower expectations. So TP for giving me some hope for how it could shake out!

[Vermont Green]

Horford and Lillard may not even play in 2026-27.  I get the possibility with Lillard, but signing Horford does not make sense to me.  And it is still not clear if getting out of the tax is a goal.

[Roy H.]

And it is still not clear if getting out of the tax is a goal.

I think it's pretty clear.

[Celtics4ever]

I think we are going to keep Simmons, build up his value and trade him around the trade deadline.  This is what makes the most sense.

[Vermont Green]

And it is still not clear if getting out of the tax is a goal.

I think it's pretty clear.

Based on what?  Getting under the second apron is pretty clear. But what says they absolutely are targeting the tax line?  And by the start of the season?   At this point they still could go either way.   They could sell off players at the deadline or make trades to buy players for 2026. 

[keevsnick]

I think what's going to actually happen is some version of this, with a couple minor modifications.

I don't think there's any chance they simply waive Simons, essentially 0%. They aren't going to want 9 million a year for three years stuck on their books. I do think they will try to trade him, not necessarily a pure dump but for somebody making less to save them some tax. One example would be Simons for Vucevic, saves 6 million dollars and gives the Celtics a starting quality center for next year. I do think they will for sure dump Niang at some point, but maybe not until the deadline.

I hope that Horford is back. Feels like its golden state or retirement, but if that's the case not sure why he's taking so long to decide.

If their goal is to get below the tax, well they have a lot of work to do. They are about 21 million over. Dumping Niang would save 6, dumping Hauser (which I don't think they want to do) saves 8. They HAVE TO trade Simons for less money coming in to have any shot at it. I could very easily see them simply deciding to stay 5-15 million over if getting under becomes too damaging to future rosters.

[mobilija]

Don?t think it?s a good idea to waive anybody unless getting below the tax is a must. Carrying dead money will hamper our ability to put a competent team around the championship core going forward.

Instead of dumping Niang and Simmons I?d like to see them recoup some prospects, even low end shots in the dark. I?d like to see more make or break young players given a chance. We need more cheap talent, that?s how u open a longer window in this CBA. I don?t know how much the Celtics need to shave to get below the tax (numbers appreciated) but I?d like to see the dumping have some on court value (hopeful value).

Would love for Horford to be back but?.maybe his minutes next year are better served as developmental. If he stays away for a year, chasing a title, relaxing on a beach or maybe just giving sage advice on the bench, that might be better for the following year.

I like the idea of Lilard on the cheap rehabbing with Tatum but have doubts about penciling him in as a starter 26-27. More of a potential weapon than someone that is playing starter minutes. Dont know if ego could handle that but a bench scorer and situational finisher might better suit my expectations.

But yeah basically. Set up for a lottery pick, a trade exception, some cheap veterans/former all stars and hungry young role players that can contribute.

[Roy H.]

And it is still not clear if getting out of the tax is a goal.

I think it's pretty clear.

Based on what?  Getting under the second apron is pretty clear. But what says they absolutely are targeting the tax line?  And by the start of the season?   At this point they still could go either way.   They could sell off players at the deadline or make trades to buy players for 2026.

It's very risky waiting to the deadline, without the stretch option.