Shams: C's Sign Boucher/Niang & two future 2nd rounders to Utah for RJ Luis Jr.

[Birdman]

So Bassey won?t be signed now..Luis was named Big East player of the year so see what he does in preseason but doubt he?s on the main roster..Boucher should be starting now unless he is outplayed by someone else in preseason

[jambr380]

Happy to have moved Niang, but not happy we had to give up two 2nds. Wish one of them could have been Williams or Shulga. Hopefully one of them is that 2027 more favorable of ORL/BOS.

Boucher is a nice addition, I guess. Seemingly a little better than Niang, but not sure it was worth giving up two 2nds to get him. Next year isn't a huge priority. Saving $6M (only counts for $2.3M with the vet min cap hit) in the deal was probably the real catalyst

[Vermont Green]

Based on what I have seen of Boucher in the past, I would start him:

Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Garza

At least you have 5 guys that can score.  That still may not be a playoff team but when Tatum is back, things look a lot better.

One thing to keep in mind is that the guys we sent packing, Porzingis (42 games played), Horford (60 games played), Holiday (62 games played) missed a lot of games.  By 2026-27, these guys may not be playing at all.

There is hope for this team in 2026-27.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Honestly like the RJ Luis pickup. I think he's an NBA player even if it may take him a few years to get comfortable with the speed of the game.

Is he going to be on a two-way? Is that why they hadn't signed Amari Williams to a two-way yet?

Signing Boucher makes sense. Gives us a stretch 5 who can defend the rim.

[Vermont Green]

Luis will be 23 in November.  That impacts his projected ceiling.  But isn't he really the equivalent of a 2nd round pick?  So it really only took 1 second round pick to dump Niang.  Did anyone really expect anything less?

Not all 2nd round picks are created equal, so we will have to see what they actually gave up.  UTA was going to want something to take on Niang.

[Atzar]

Meh.  Rearranging deck chairs.  Hope the cap savings are meaningfully useful to the team at some point. 

[Phantom255x]

I actually like Boucher. But yeah, this is gonna be a pretty depressing season overall. Hopefully the Red Sox make a bit of a push in October and the Pats are relevant in the winter

[jambr380]

Luis will be 23 in November.  That impacts his projected ceiling.  But isn't he really the equivalent of a 2nd round pick?  So it really only took 1 second round pick to dump Niang.  Did anyone really expect anything less?

Not all 2nd round picks are created equal, so we will have to see what they actually gave up.  UTA was going to want something to take on Niang.

Problem is, we don't really need three 2nd round picks on the team this year. And the team seemingly like Norris, so not sure he's going anywhere.

Amari is nice and all, but at this point, I'd feel a lot better if they traded him for a future 2nd if anybody's interested.

Also, since we gave up two 2nds, it's too bad we couldn't attach Tillman, as well for a possible Simmons/Bassey roster spot. I know we are only at 14, but we seem to like to stay at that number well into the season for money savings.

[Celtics2021]

I?ve been a Boucher fan for a while, so I am pleased with this move.  But I learned something about the CBA too: I did not realize you could trade undrafted rookie free agents before the December 15 restriction that exists for other free agents.

I imagine Luis Jr. will come to camp, but the Jazz had to send something by rule, so I think his inclusion is largely just filling that requirement.  That said, we do get a decent TPE out of it as well as salary flexibility.

I expect that Celtics will just take the cash and tax savings in shedding $6 million in payroll, but I hope they give Al a call since they have an open roster spot and $7+ million space under the second apron.

[Vermont Green]

We traded Pick 32 for 4 second round picks, using one on Amari Williams and one on Max Shulga.  Now with this trade, it is more or less the equivalent of trading Niang and pick 32 for Williams, Shulga, Luis, and Boucher.

I know some were really excited about the players available at #32 but I like Williams.  He is still unsigned.  I thought the reports were that he was offered and expected to sign a 2-way deal.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Amir Williams 2.0?

[Vermont Green]

Luis will be 23 in November.  That impacts his projected ceiling.  But isn't he really the equivalent of a 2nd round pick?  So it really only took 1 second round pick to dump Niang.  Did anyone really expect anything less?

Not all 2nd round picks are created equal, so we will have to see what they actually gave up.  UTA was going to want something to take on Niang.

Problem is, we don't really need three 2nd round picks on the team this year. And the team seemingly like Norris, so not sure he's going anywhere.

Amari is nice and all, but at this point, I'd feel a lot better if they traded him for a future 2nd if anybody's interested.

Also, since we gave up two 2nds, it's too bad we couldn't attach Tillman, as well for a possible Simmons/Bassey roster spot. I know we are only at 14, but we seem to like to stay at that number well into the season for money savings.

I am not sure why it matters how many 2nd round picks are on the team for 2025-26.  Who cares?  It is going to be a lost season anyway.

As to Tillman, he is only making $2.5M.  Why dump him and replace him with some other player that is making $2.5M?  Fine if that player you replace him with has a legitimate chance to contribute to the team in 2026-27, but otherwise, it doesn't really matter.  And it was not all that long ago that Tillman was a player who could contribute to a playoff team.  I don't see any need to spend a 2nd round pick to dump Tillman.  There is a chance, however slight, that he bounces back.

[celticinorlando]

Just glad Niang is far far away from this team.

[Roy H.]

The team is now only a bit more than $12 million above the tax.  I'm sure they're looking to trade Simons.  So, a 3 way where we take back roughly $15 million works.

[Celtics4ever]

I like the signing of Boucher.   He is tall with length and can shoot a little and has good defensive range.   He can't bang down low with true centers though.  He is more of PF than C.   I think he would benefit if we play at a fast pace.

I think these were ok moves for us.    I am glad Niang is gone, but I had talked myself into having him on the roster and off the ledge accepting him, but this is even better.

Luis can jump good. RJ Luis Jr.'s maximum vertical leap at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine was 38.0 inches, ranking 11th among all participants, while his no-step vertical was 31.5 inches.  But he is known more being physical than a high flyer.  RJ Luis Jr.'s wingspan measures 6'10.5" as measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.

Source Google AI.