Celtics 2025-26 Regular Season Discussion

[Roy H.]

Clipper game - best game of the yr
Centers - could not be happier.... don't miss Porzingis or Horford or Kornet at all
Brad - Please try to keep these guys together, including Simons

I?m feeling the same way about Simons as the season goes by. He?s a legit weapon off the bench.

Simons isn't the issue, it's his contract.  If we could bring him back for around $18 million, I'd do it.

I do miss our centers, though.  It's been a really fun season, but we're still 15th in defense.

Are you saying that we just don't have 18 million spare in the cap (under apron), or that he will fetch more than 20 mill in the open market?

At his current contract, he's untenable.  At 2/3 of his current annual rate, it's doable.

He's going to want more than that.  I have no idea what the market will look like.  Teams were paying guys like Simons (including pay Simons himself), but the trade market for adding guys like Simons, Sexton, McCollum, etc. seems weak.

So, if there's no market for him, there's a chance we could retain him.  But, it won't be at $27 million or more.

[slamtheking]

Clipper game - best game of the yr
Centers - could not be happier.... don't miss Porzingis or Horford or Kornet at all
Brad - Please try to keep these guys together, including Simons

I?m feeling the same way about Simons as the season goes by. He?s a legit weapon off the bench.

Simons isn't the issue, it's his contract.  If we could bring him back for around $18 million, I'd do it.

I do miss our centers, though.  It's been a really fun season, but we're still 15th in defense.

Are you saying that we just don't have 18 million spare in the cap (under apron), or that he will fetch more than 20 mill in the open market?

At his current contract, he's untenable.  At 2/3 of his current annual rate, it's doable.

He's going to want more than that.  I have no idea what the market will look like.  Teams were paying guys like Simons (including pay Simons himself), but the trade market for adding guys like Simons, Sexton, McCollum, etc. seems weak.

So, if there's no market for him, there's a chance we could retain him.  But, it won't be at $27 million or more.

if he's not moved at the deadline then signing him in the offseason becomes a necessity if for no other reason than keeping a player with that salary slot available for a future deal.  he's currently overpaid and would ideally take a 1/3 paycut but I just can't see him taking that kind of a cut.  it's almost mandatory that he has to be moved at the deadline to maximize him as an asset.

[Roy H.]

Clipper game - best game of the yr
Centers - could not be happier.... don't miss Porzingis or Horford or Kornet at all
Brad - Please try to keep these guys together, including Simons

I?m feeling the same way about Simons as the season goes by. He?s a legit weapon off the bench.

Simons isn't the issue, it's his contract.  If we could bring him back for around $18 million, I'd do it.

I do miss our centers, though.  It's been a really fun season, but we're still 15th in defense.

Are you saying that we just don't have 18 million spare in the cap (under apron), or that he will fetch more than 20 mill in the open market?

At his current contract, he's untenable.  At 2/3 of his current annual rate, it's doable.

He's going to want more than that.  I have no idea what the market will look like.  Teams were paying guys like Simons (including pay Simons himself), but the trade market for adding guys like Simons, Sexton, McCollum, etc. seems weak.

So, if there's no market for him, there's a chance we could retain him.  But, it won't be at $27 million or more.

if he's not moved at the deadline then signing him in the offseason becomes a necessity if for no other reason than keeping a player with that salary slot available for a future deal.  he's currently overpaid and would ideally take a 1/3 paycut but I just can't see him taking that kind of a cut.  it's almost mandatory that he has to be moved at the deadline to maximize him as an asset.

Not necessarily, simply because we have the TPE to use, as well.  So, if we let Simons walk (and don't S&T him) we'd still have the TPE to fill that salary spot.

In terms of Simpns not taking a big pay cut, are there teams out there that are going to pay him $25+ million next season?  I haven't looked at projected cap numbers, but Simons doesn't strike me as the guy a team would intentionally target in free agency.

[Celtics2021]

Clipper game - best game of the yr
Centers - could not be happier.... don't miss Porzingis or Horford or Kornet at all
Brad - Please try to keep these guys together, including Simons

I?m feeling the same way about Simons as the season goes by. He?s a legit weapon off the bench.

Simons isn't the issue, it's his contract.  If we could bring him back for around $18 million, I'd do it.

I do miss our centers, though.  It's been a really fun season, but we're still 15th in defense.

Are you saying that we just don't have 18 million spare in the cap (under apron), or that he will fetch more than 20 mill in the open market?

At his current contract, he's untenable.  At 2/3 of his current annual rate, it's doable.

He's going to want more than that.  I have no idea what the market will look like.  Teams were paying guys like Simons (including pay Simons himself), but the trade market for adding guys like Simons, Sexton, McCollum, etc. seems weak.

So, if there's no market for him, there's a chance we could retain him.  But, it won't be at $27 million or more.

if he's not moved at the deadline then signing him in the offseason becomes a necessity if for no other reason than keeping a player with that salary slot available for a future deal.  he's currently overpaid and would ideally take a 1/3 paycut but I just can't see him taking that kind of a cut.  it's almost mandatory that he has to be moved at the deadline to maximize him as an asset.

Disagree.  The Celtics have the $23 million TPE for Porzingis, which they can only use this offseason if they do not keep Simons.  If they keep Simons through the season and then he walks, they still have the ability to keep a comparable salary via the TPE.  There is no urgency to trade Simons this month, and they will not be forced to overpay him in the summer if he is not traded.

That said, it is great Simons is playing so well, because if he is moved he will actually bring back something or someone of value.


EDIT: Roy beat me to it because a phone call interrupted my post.

[slamtheking]

Clipper game - best game of the yr
Centers - could not be happier.... don't miss Porzingis or Horford or Kornet at all
Brad - Please try to keep these guys together, including Simons

I?m feeling the same way about Simons as the season goes by. He?s a legit weapon off the bench.

Simons isn't the issue, it's his contract.  If we could bring him back for around $18 million, I'd do it.

I do miss our centers, though.  It's been a really fun season, but we're still 15th in defense.

Are you saying that we just don't have 18 million spare in the cap (under apron), or that he will fetch more than 20 mill in the open market?

At his current contract, he's untenable.  At 2/3 of his current annual rate, it's doable.

He's going to want more than that.  I have no idea what the market will look like.  Teams were paying guys like Simons (including pay Simons himself), but the trade market for adding guys like Simons, Sexton, McCollum, etc. seems weak.

So, if there's no market for him, there's a chance we could retain him.  But, it won't be at $27 million or more.

if he's not moved at the deadline then signing him in the offseason becomes a necessity if for no other reason than keeping a player with that salary slot available for a future deal.  he's currently overpaid and would ideally take a 1/3 paycut but I just can't see him taking that kind of a cut.  it's almost mandatory that he has to be moved at the deadline to maximize him as an asset.

Disagree.  The Celtics have the $23 million TPE for Porzingis, which they can only use this offseason if they do not keep Simons.  If they keep Simons through the season and then he walks, they still have the ability to keep a comparable salary via the TPE.  There is no urgency to trade Simons this month, and they will not be forced to overpay him in the summer if he is not traded.

That said, it is great Simons is playing so well, because if he is moved he will actually bring back something or someone of value.


EDIT: Roy beat me to it because a phone call interrupted my post.

responding to both you and Roy

I get that we still have the TPE from Zinger but that asset has a short time frame for usage after the season so while it is true we don't "have" to trade Simons and we have that spot, it'd be a huge waste of him as a trade asset to bring in a player making that kind of money that would be a better fit for what the team needs.  C's can (and I think should) move Simons to bring in a player that would fit Zinger's TPE slot while creating a new TPE with Simons contract that would provide a new window for using a sizable TPE.

as for what Simons would resign for and who would pay him more than we'd want to -- I've seen too many bad contracts thrown around this league to ever assume that some dingbat GM wouldn't offer a player capable of averaging 20+ points more $ than other teams think they're worth

[Vermont Green]

To add to the discussion, the Porzingis TPE expires on July 7, 2026.  That give the team 1 week after the end of the season to sign or trade for someone using this mechanism.  That is a legitimate avenue, but one that is potentially difficult, given the short time frame.

Trading Simons is not technically the only way to have his salary slot at the team's disposal but it would buy more time and flexibility.  For example trade Simons using the Porzingis TPE to bring a player back, then you would get a new TPE for Simons salary (or whatever the net ended up being), and the timeline to use that would be extended.  In that way, you could potentially have a player or players back for Simons whose contracts extend beyond the end of 2025/26 plus have a TPE to use in the 2026 off season or the 2027 trade deadline to use on another player.  Lots more options.

It is not likely that BOS would be able to do all of the above, convert Simons expiring into 1 or more contracts that extend beyond the end of 2025-26, plus add another player with a new TPE from trading Simons, but the flexibility would be there.  As it stands now with the Porzingis TPE, you either trade for a player between now and the deadline, or sign someone for 2026-27 between Jul 1 and Jul 7.

[mobilija]

Letting Simons expire allows the team to use the Full MLE, nearly the same amount as the suggested pay cut to Simons salary.

So letting him expire allows for good free agent acquisition in lieu of potentially spending extra assets to trade him.

[keevsnick]

To add to the discussion, the Porzingis TPE expires on July 7, 2026.  That give the team 1 week after the end of the season to sign or trade for someone using this mechanism.  That is a legitimate avenue, but one that is potentially difficult, given the short time frame.

Trading Simons is not technically the only way to have his salary slot at the team's disposal but it would buy more time and flexibility.  For example trade Simons using the Porzingis TPE to bring a player back, then you would get a new TPE for Simons salary (or whatever the net ended up being), and the timeline to use that would be extended.  In that way, you could potentially have a player or players back for Simons whose contracts extend beyond the end of 2025/26 plus have a TPE to use in the 2026 off season or the 2027 trade deadline to use on another player.  Lots more options.

It is not likely that BOS would be able to do all of the above, convert Simons expiring into 1 or more contracts that extend beyond the end of 2025-26, plus add another player with a new TPE from trading Simons, but the flexibility would be there.  As it stands now with the Porzingis TPE, you either trade for a player between now and the deadline, or sign someone for 2026-27 between Jul 1 and Jul 7.

Ya just to spell it out, the C's are right now 4 million above the 1st apron. Simons makes about 28 million. Using a TPE, using the non-tax MLE, taking on a player in a S&T, taking back more money in a trade than you send out, all of that hard caps you at the first apron.

So the best way to think about Celtics team building for next year is the first apron as a default hard cap of sorts. If Simons expires they will have something like 24 million to play with under that apron. That's probably their budget, because almost any move they make hard caps them at the first apron.

So basically any combo of moves you make probably has to add up to no more than around 24 million in incoming players.

[Vermont Green]

To add to the discussion, the Porzingis TPE expires on July 7, 2026.  That give the team 1 week after the end of the season to sign or trade for someone using this mechanism.  That is a legitimate avenue, but one that is potentially difficult, given the short time frame.

Trading Simons is not technically the only way to have his salary slot at the team's disposal but it would buy more time and flexibility.  For example trade Simons using the Porzingis TPE to bring a player back, then you would get a new TPE for Simons salary (or whatever the net ended up being), and the timeline to use that would be extended.  In that way, you could potentially have a player or players back for Simons whose contracts extend beyond the end of 2025/26 plus have a TPE to use in the 2026 off season or the 2027 trade deadline to use on another player.  Lots more options.

It is not likely that BOS would be able to do all of the above, convert Simons expiring into 1 or more contracts that extend beyond the end of 2025-26, plus add another player with a new TPE from trading Simons, but the flexibility would be there.  As it stands now with the Porzingis TPE, you either trade for a player between now and the deadline, or sign someone for 2026-27 between Jul 1 and Jul 7.

Ya just to spell it out, the C's are right now 4 million above the 1st apron. Simons makes about 28 million. Using a TPE, using the non-tax MLE, taking on a player in a S&T, taking back more money in a trade than you send out, all of that hard caps you at the first apron.

So the best way to think about Celtics team building for next year is the first apron as a default hard cap of sorts. If Simons expires they will have something like 24 million to play with under that apron. That's probably their budget, because almost any move they make hard caps them at the first apron.

So basically any combo of moves you make probably has to add up to no more than around 24 million in incoming players.

Yes, there are hard capping implications.  I believe regarding TPE, you become hard capped if you use a TPE from a prior season.  So BOS could use the Porzingis TPE this season without getting hard capped but if they used it next season (between Jul 1-7) they would be hard capped.  Likewise, I guess if they trade Simons this season, using that resulting TPE next season would also hard cap the team.

The tax payer MLE is only $6.1M next season, that is not going to buy much these days.   I suspect that they will try to avoid a hard cap if they can, but the TPMLE should not be a major consideration.  If they have a TPE in the range of $24M or more going into next season, that will be useful, even if it hard caps them.  It is probably the only way to add talent next season.  Simons will be a FA and the Porzingis TPE expires.  Unless the plan is to resign Simons (which is not necessarily a bad idea, depending on the contract value), better to trade him at the deadline, for sure.  Better to have the TPE than nothing (I think it will be hard to use the Porzingis TPE by Jul 7 if they wait for after this season).

[keevsnick]

To add to the discussion, the Porzingis TPE expires on July 7, 2026.  That give the team 1 week after the end of the season to sign or trade for someone using this mechanism.  That is a legitimate avenue, but one that is potentially difficult, given the short time frame.

Trading Simons is not technically the only way to have his salary slot at the team's disposal but it would buy more time and flexibility.  For example trade Simons using the Porzingis TPE to bring a player back, then you would get a new TPE for Simons salary (or whatever the net ended up being), and the timeline to use that would be extended.  In that way, you could potentially have a player or players back for Simons whose contracts extend beyond the end of 2025/26 plus have a TPE to use in the 2026 off season or the 2027 trade deadline to use on another player.  Lots more options.

It is not likely that BOS would be able to do all of the above, convert Simons expiring into 1 or more contracts that extend beyond the end of 2025-26, plus add another player with a new TPE from trading Simons, but the flexibility would be there.  As it stands now with the Porzingis TPE, you either trade for a player between now and the deadline, or sign someone for 2026-27 between Jul 1 and Jul 7.

Ya just to spell it out, the C's are right now 4 million above the 1st apron. Simons makes about 28 million. Using a TPE, using the non-tax MLE, taking on a player in a S&T, taking back more money in a trade than you send out, all of that hard caps you at the first apron.

So the best way to think about Celtics team building for next year is the first apron as a default hard cap of sorts. If Simons expires they will have something like 24 million to play with under that apron. That's probably their budget, because almost any move they make hard caps them at the first apron.

So basically any combo of moves you make probably has to add up to no more than around 24 million in incoming players.

Yes, there are hard capping implications.  I believe regarding TPE, you become hard capped if you use a TPE from a prior season.  So BOS could use the Porzingis TPE this season without getting hard capped but if they used it next season (between Jul 1-7) they would be hard capped. Likewise, I guess if they trade Simons this season, using that resulting TPE next season would also hard cap the team.

The tax payer MLE is only $6.1M next season, that is not going to buy much these days.   I suspect that they will try to avoid a hard cap if they can, but the TPMLE should not be a major consideration.  If they have a TPE in the range of $24M or more going into next season, that will be useful, even if it hard caps them.  It is probably the only way to add talent next season.  Simons will be a FA and the Porzingis TPE expires.  Unless the plan is to resign Simons (which is not necessarily a bad idea, depending on the contract value), better to trade him at the deadline, for sure.  Better to have the TPE than nothing (I think it will be hard to use the Porzingis TPE by Jul 7 if they wait for after this season).

Edit: Actually, i think you may be right. The CBA says specifically you're hard capped if you use it after the last day of the following regular season, which would seem to indicate that before then you would not be. Good catch.

[Phantom255x]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

[SparzWizard]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

So far the Knicks have owned the Celtics in recent history in the playoffs. I'm itching for the C's to finally beat them in the playoffs. Same goes for Boston sports vs New York sports. Hate the Yankees and Giants (and Jets) for defeating our Boston sports teams when it truly mattered 😡

[slightly biased bias fan]

The Celtics and Pacers have shown interest in Ivica Zubac, per Mike Scotto.
 

Among the notable teams to express interest in trading for Zubac were the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, HoopsHype has learned.

Dating back from last season through Monday, Zubac is having the best stretch of his career, averaging 16.3 points on 62.2 percent shooting from the field, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.

[Celtics2021]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

So far the Knicks have owned the Celtics in recent history in the playoffs. I'm itching for the C's to finally beat them in the playoffs. Same goes for Boston sports vs New York sports. Hate the Yankees and Giants (and Jets) for defeating our Boston sports teams when it truly mattered 😡

Recent history like last year?  The Knicks miss the playoffs so often we have not had the chance to beat them.

[slamtheking]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

So far the Knicks have owned the Celtics in recent history in the playoffs. I'm itching for the C's to finally beat them in the playoffs. Same goes for Boston sports vs New York sports. Hate the Yankees and Giants (and Jets) for defeating our Boston sports teams when it truly mattered 😡

Recent history like last year?  The Knicks miss the playoffs so often we have not had the chance to beat them.

exactly.  in order to have a rivalry, don't both sides have to be relevant, not just one (celtics)?