2026-27 Celtics Off Season Discussion

[Neurotic Guy]

"IF the Pelicans aggressively pursue Jaylen Brown, the blueprint for their blockbuster trade offer would center directly around the following, per
@ScoopB
 

- Dejounte Murray
- Trey Murphy III
- Significant draft capital"

I don?t hate that.  NO gets the best player but Cs get a younger player in Murphy and  would be versatile at guard, and have some capital to play with.  Not competing with SA or OKC yet. 

[Celtics2021]

"IF the Pelicans aggressively pursue Jaylen Brown, the blueprint for their blockbuster trade offer would center directly around the following, per
@ScoopB
 

- Dejounte Murray
- Trey Murphy III
- Significant draft capital"

I don?t hate that.  NO gets the best player but Cs get a younger player in Murphy and  would be versatile at guard, and have some capital to play with.  Not competing with SA or OKC yet.

Draft capital would have to be truly significant in my book.  Murray is still living off the rep of his career year like 5 seasons ago at age 25.  He is coming off a major injury and the year before his injury he was pretty bad.  If he bounces back you have a player who will decline a $30 million player option and seek a long-term raise entering age 31, with an ACL and Achilles in his past.  If he does not bounce back, then you have made a major downgrade from Jaylen and owe Murray $62 million over two seasons, since he would not opt out.

Now, if we are talking unprotected picks (plural) in the new era of flattened lottery odds for a team that could easily miss the playoffs, you have my attention, but otherwise this trade is a step backwards.

I am a fan of Murray, and called him my 1A target, but that is as a third option playing next to the Js.  I think that what he brings to that team would be a near perfect fit.  But as the #2 option next to Tatum I am less excited.

[Vermont Green]

This trade idea of Brown for Murphy and Murray + Picks is reasonable but I don't see it making BOS better in the next couple of seasons, even if Murray plays at his best.  So for that reason, I would only do it if it has gotten to the point where Brown wants to be traded and you feel you have to trade him.

If you feel that you have to trade Brown, I would rather get Williamson and Murphy + Picks for Brown and Hauser.  Williamson, if he plays at his best, is a player who with Tatum can take you to a title.  There is risk with him as there is risk with Murray, but the ceiling is higher.  The likely line up would be 1 guard, 3 forwards, and 1 center, not conventional, but I am not sure you need 2 guards on the floor.  Or let Murphy be a super 6th man.  Or go small with Williamson at center.  With how well Tatum rebounds, BOS could get away with that.

White
Murphy
Tatum
Williamson
Queta

The problem is that I can't get this trade to work on the Spotrac Trade Machine.  Zion does not seem to be counting as outgoing salary for NOP.  It does work on the Fanspo trade machine so I don't know if it is just some glitch with Spotrac or if there really is something about Zion's contract that makes this not work.

[nickagneta]

All this Brown trade talk is hilarious.

Jaylen Brown will be a Celtic next year. Book it.

[Moranis]

This trade idea of Brown for Murphy and Murray + Picks is reasonable but I don't see it making BOS better in the next couple of seasons, even if Murray plays at his best.  So for that reason, I would only do it if it has gotten to the point where Brown wants to be traded and you feel you have to trade him.

If you feel that you have to trade Brown, I would rather get Williamson and Murphy + Picks for Brown and Hauser.  Williamson, if he plays at his best, is a player who with Tatum can take you to a title.  There is risk with him as there is risk with Murray, but the ceiling is higher.  The line up is 1 guard, 3 forwards, and 1 center, not conventional, but I am not sure you need 2 guards on the floor.  Or let Murphy be a super 6th man.  Or go small with Williamson at center.  With how well Tatum rebounds, BOS could get away with that.

White
Murphy
Tatum
Williamson
Queta

The problem is that I can't get this trade to work on the Spotrac Trade Machine.  Zion does not seem to be counting as outgoing salary for NOP.  It does work on the Fanspo trade machine so I don't know if it is just some glitch with Spotrac or if there really is something about Zion's contract that makes this not work.

Murphy is the key to the trade.  He is a much better shooter than Brown.  He has a much better assist to turnover ratio.  He generates steals at an elite level.  Murphy is used to playing next to ball dominant players and succeeding.  He will likely play very well off of Tatum.  There is a chance that he alone will give Boston a higher ceiling. Boston certainly would have a lower floor with Murphy but there is a decent chance the ceiling raises, which is the ultimate end game.  Sometimes removing a better player for better fitting ones makes the team better.  We've seen that here over the years with someone like Kyrie.  The team got better when they swapped out Kyrie for the lesser talented Kemba.  The Bad Boy Pistons won the title when they traded Dantley for Aguirre mid-season. The Bucks traded the lesser talented Holiday for the more talented Lillard and they fell apart   Sometimes  more talent leads to a worse team. Sometimes it doesn't.  I'm just at the point where I think a chance is needed. The twam has failed epically the lat 2 playoffs and running it mostly back will just lead to a 3rd early exit in my view.  I could be wrong or maybe it is time to break up the duo.

[Vermont Green]

All this Brown trade talk is hilarious.

Jaylen Brown will be a Celtic next year. Book it.

I agree that the most likely outcome is Brown is a Celtic, been saying that all along.  Maybe 90% or higher.  But do you concede that there is a 10% chance he is traded?  That is how I see it.  Brown's name is out there now due to all his statements and things about sacrificing and all that.  That does not mean that BOS wants to trade him but it has stirred things up enough that teams may call.

It seems like the idea of Brown for Giannis may be losing traction, not gaining.  But BOS has traditionally been very tight lipped in relation to leaks about trades.  There is no reason for BOS to make it seem like they want to trade Brown, even if they do.  I have no doubt that there are team out there interested in Brown if he is available.  Stevens' track record shows he is willing to make a bold trade if it is a really good trade.  I don't see why Brown would be any different.  Tatum too, albeit even less likely.

[jambr380]

All this Brown trade talk is hilarious.

Jaylen Brown will be a Celtic next year. Book it.

I agree that the most likely outcome is Brown is a Celtic, been saying that all along.  Maybe 90% or higher.  But do you concede that there is a 10% chance he is traded?  That is how I see it.  Brown's name is out there now due to all his statements and things about sacrificing and all that.  That does not mean that BOS wants to trade him but it has stirred things up enough that teams may call.

It seems like the idea of Brown for Giannis may be losing traction, not gaining.  But BOS has traditionally been very tight lipped in relation to leaks about trades.  There is no reason for BOS to make it seem like they want to trade Brown, even if they do.  I have no doubt that there are team out there interested in Brown if he is available.  Stevens' track record shows he is willing to make a bold trade if it is a really good trade.  I don't see why Brown would be any different.  Tatum too, albeit even less likely.

Just saw this a few minutes ago and thought this would be a good place to post:

Giannis Antetokounmpo is ?very intrigued? with joining the Boston Celtics due to their depth and ability to contend for championships, per @sam_amick

Doesn't mean it's going to happen, and we've yet to hear about the Celtics being interested in Giannis, but I think we'll continue to be linked until a trade is actually completed - either with Miami, us, or someone else

[nickagneta]

All this Brown trade talk is hilarious.

Jaylen Brown will be a Celtic next year. Book it.

I agree that the most likely outcome is Brown is a Celtic, been saying that all along.  Maybe 90% or higher.  But do you concede that there is a 10% chance he is traded?  That is how I see it.  Brown's name is out there now due to all his statements and things about sacrificing and all that.  That does not mean that BOS wants to trade him but it has stirred things up enough that teams may call.

It seems like the idea of Brown for Giannis may be losing traction, not gaining.  But BOS has traditionally been very tight lipped in relation to leaks about trades.  There is no reason for BOS to make it seem like they want to trade Brown, even if they do.  I have no doubt that there are team out there interested in Brown if he is available.  Stevens' track record shows he is willing to make a bold trade if it is a really good trade.  I don't see why Brown would be any different.  Tatum too, albeit even less likely.

10% no. I think the number much smaller

Also, I do not think anything Brown has done since the season ended has stirred up anything other than the angry feelings of disappointed Celtics fans and the need of media to say stuff to stir the pot, generate clicks and make themselves look important.

I believe the front office absolutely loves Jaylen. I think they love the Tatum/Brown duo and will look to continue to build around them rather than break them up.

The only way Brown gets traded this off-season is for Giannis, and I am not sure Stevens will do that trade based on Giannis' age and deteriorating ability to stay healthy, especially since here in Boston, he would most be a 5 in Mazzulla's system.

[Vermont Green]

Murphy is the key to the trade.  He is a much better shooter than Brown.  He has a much better assist to turnover ratio.  He generates steals at an elite level.  Murphy is used to playing next to ball dominant players and succeeding.  He will likely play very well off of Tatum.  There is a chance that he alone will give Boston a higher ceiling.

I don't agree with this.  Imagine that at the start of 2025-26, BOS traded Brown for Murphy.  How many wins do you think BOS would have gotten with Murphy over Brown.  I get your point is that with Tatum, the team would be better with Tatum+Murphy vs. Tatum+Brown because they are more complementary.  Tatum+Brown have already won a title together.

I think what is more likely is that Murphy on a title contending team would see his role reduced and his overall numbers reduce, not increase.  He appears to be a nice player.  He compiled nice stats on a bad team.  He may make a leap and become a player that gets MVP votes, like Brown, but I see that as highly unlikely.  He is not nearly as good as Brown today and I don't see him ever being as good.  A nice, upper-middle class player who could be a nice piece on BOS.  I see his ceiling as Anunoby or Bridges on NYK, something like that.  I think you are way over projecting his ceiling, at least his immediate ceiling.

[Moranis]

Murphy is the key to the trade.  He is a much better shooter than Brown.  He has a much better assist to turnover ratio.  He generates steals at an elite level.  Murphy is used to playing next to ball dominant players and succeeding.  He will likely play very well off of Tatum.  There is a chance that he alone will give Boston a higher ceiling.

I don't agree with this.  Imagine that at the start of 2025-26, BOS traded Brown for Murphy.  How many wins do you think BOS would have gotten with Murphy over Brown.  I get your point is that with Tatum, the team would be better with Tatum+Murphy vs. Tatum+Brown because they are more complementary.  Tatum+Brown have already won a title together.

I think what is more likely is that Murphy on a title contending team would see his role reduced and his overall numbers reduce, not increase.  He appears to be a nice player.  He compiled nice stats on a bad team.  He may make a leap and become a player that gets MVP votes, like Brown, but I see that as highly unlikely.  He is not nearly as good as Brown today and I don't see him ever being as good.  A nice, upper-middle class player who could be a nice piece on BOS.  I see his ceiling as Anunoby or Bridges on NYK, something like that.  I think you are way over projecting his ceiling, at least his immediate ceiling.

The very next sentence which you cut out starts out by saying Boston would have a lower floor.  Murphy without Tatum would make the team worse than Brown without Tatum because Murphy is nit as good as Brown.  But this should be Tatum's team. He is by far the best player on it.  The team should be set up to cater to Tatum. It should be about maximizing his strengths. 

Put it this way, if you were designing a wing player that isn't as good as Tatum to compliment him, what skills would you want that player to have?

Ofeensively, I'd personally want an excellent to elite shooter that makes good decisions with the ball, with solid passing skills that won't turn it over much.  Defensively, I'd want a plus rebounder that can defend multiple positions at at least above average ability.  I think that is the type of player that would play well off of Tatum.  Brown hits the defensive stuff, but I don't think he hits the offensive items.  That is what I mean when I say they are not a good fit.  I don't think either one compliments the other on offense.  They are basically the same type of player.  Great when they are the only one in the floor, but not maximizing each other when they play together. 

[Vermont Green]

I believe the front office absolutely loves Jaylen. I think they love the Tatum/Brown duo and will look to continue to build around them rather than break them up.

I don't disagree but I think the front office loved Marcus Smart too and they traded him to make the team better.  It is hard to know for sure what the Front Office may be thinking or considering but I agree that there has been nothing public that would indicate anything other than they value Brown very highly and are perfectly comfortable building around the duo.  No reason not to in my mind.

I do think they would trade Brown for Giannis, I would, but that is a really hard deal to make happen.  That is why I have the likelihood at a low percentage (not as low as you apparently).  I think there are other potential trades they would do for Brown, not many, but there are some out there.  It is just not likely that a trade like that would come together.  Isn't going to stop me from coming up with ideas and critiquing other ideas.

[Vermont Green]

Murphy is the key to the trade.  He is a much better shooter than Brown.  He has a much better assist to turnover ratio.  He generates steals at an elite level.  Murphy is used to playing next to ball dominant players and succeeding.  He will likely play very well off of Tatum.  There is a chance that he alone will give Boston a higher ceiling.

I don't agree with this.  Imagine that at the start of 2025-26, BOS traded Brown for Murphy.  How many wins do you think BOS would have gotten with Murphy over Brown.  I get your point is that with Tatum, the team would be better with Tatum+Murphy vs. Tatum+Brown because they are more complementary.  Tatum+Brown have already won a title together.

I think what is more likely is that Murphy on a title contending team would see his role reduced and his overall numbers reduce, not increase.  He appears to be a nice player.  He compiled nice stats on a bad team.  He may make a leap and become a player that gets MVP votes, like Brown, but I see that as highly unlikely.  He is not nearly as good as Brown today and I don't see him ever being as good.  A nice, upper-middle class player who could be a nice piece on BOS.  I see his ceiling as Anunoby or Bridges on NYK, something like that.  I think you are way over projecting his ceiling, at least his immediate ceiling.

The very next sentence which you cut out starts out by saying Boston would have a lower floor.  Murphy without Tatum would make the team worse than Brown without Tatum because Murphy is nit as good as Brown.  But this should be Tatum's team. He is by far the best player on it.  The team should be set up to cater to Tatum. It should be about maximizing his strengths. 

Put it this way, if you were designing a wing player that isn't as good as Tatum to compliment him, what skills would you want that player to have?

Ofeensively, I'd personally want an excellent to elite shooter that makes good decisions with the ball, with solid passing skills that won't turn it over much.  Defensively, I'd want a plus rebounder that can defend multiple positions at at least above average ability.  I think that is the type of player that would play well off of Tatum.  Brown hits the defensive stuff, but I don't think he hits the offensive items.  That is what I mean when I say they are not a good fit.  I don't think either one compliments the other on offense.  They are basically the same type of player.  Great when they are the only one in the floor, but not maximizing each other when they play together.

I get your point, at least I think I do, but you are comparing a player who is in the MVP conversation (and did win a title with Tatum) with a player that has never even been an all star or on a team that has won anything.  Brown scores more, rebounds more, assists more, but Brown turns it over more (2.3 vs. 1.1 for career). 3 point shooting, Brown is 35.8% career, Murphy is 38.2%.  That is about 1 more make every 5 games if my math is right (about 1 more make every 40 3PA or so).  I am not real sure how good a defender that Murphy is but I don't think he is better than Brown.

[Celtics2021]

Murphy is the key to the trade.  He is a much better shooter than Brown.  He has a much better assist to turnover ratio.  He generates steals at an elite level.  Murphy is used to playing next to ball dominant players and succeeding.  He will likely play very well off of Tatum.  There is a chance that he alone will give Boston a higher ceiling.

I don't agree with this.  Imagine that at the start of 2025-26, BOS traded Brown for Murphy.  How many wins do you think BOS would have gotten with Murphy over Brown.  I get your point is that with Tatum, the team would be better with Tatum+Murphy vs. Tatum+Brown because they are more complementary.  Tatum+Brown have already won a title together.

I think what is more likely is that Murphy on a title contending team would see his role reduced and his overall numbers reduce, not increase.  He appears to be a nice player.  He compiled nice stats on a bad team.  He may make a leap and become a player that gets MVP votes, like Brown, but I see that as highly unlikely.  He is not nearly as good as Brown today and I don't see him ever being as good.  A nice, upper-middle class player who could be a nice piece on BOS.  I see his ceiling as Anunoby or Bridges on NYK, something like that.  I think you are way over projecting his ceiling, at least his immediate ceiling.

The very next sentence which you cut out starts out by saying Boston would have a lower floor.  Murphy without Tatum would make the team worse than Brown without Tatum because Murphy is nit as good as Brown.  But this should be Tatum's team. He is by far the best player on it.  The team should be set up to cater to Tatum. It should be about maximizing his strengths. 

Put it this way, if you were designing a wing player that isn't as good as Tatum to compliment him, what skills would you want that player to have?

Ofeensively, I'd personally want an excellent to elite shooter that makes good decisions with the ball, with solid passing skills that won't turn it over much.  Defensively, I'd want a plus rebounder that can defend multiple positions at at least above average ability.  I think that is the type of player that would play well off of Tatum.  Brown hits the defensive stuff, but I don't think he hits the offensive items.  That is what I mean when I say they are not a good fit.  I don't think either one compliments the other on offense.  They are basically the same type of player.  Great when they are the only one in the floor, but not maximizing each other when they play together.

I get your point, at least I think I do, but you are comparing a player who is in the MVP conversation (and did win a title with Tatum) with a player that has never even been an all star or on a team that has won anything.  Brown scores more, rebounds more, assists more, but Brown turns it over more (2.3 vs. 1.1 for career). 3 point shooting, Brown is 35.8% career, Murphy is 38.2%.  That is about 1 more make every 5 games if my math is right (about 1 more make every 40 3PA or so).  I am not real sure how good a defender that Murphy is but I don't think he is better than Brown.

Murphy also takes easier shots.  The majority of his 3s are catch-and-shoot.  He is good at them, but it means he needs someone else to create for him.  When he takes pull-up 3s his percentage dropped to 30.4% last season, worse than Jaylen.  He turns the ball over less but he is also asked to create off the dribble less.  His defense is good.  If you wanted to tell me it was better than Jaylen I would raise an eyebrow, but he is long and versatile, and will guard every position like Jaylen does.  I would agree to call it a near wash.  But I liken Murphy to a Mikal Bridges.  On a bad team he can get you 20 to 25 a night, but on a contender he is probably a 3rd or 4th option on offense, while being a valuable defender.  Next to the Js, he could be a perfect fit.  As a replacement for one of them, he is unlikely to live up to the task.

[celticinorlando]

Don't love the 70 mill JB will get on an extension tho...

[Moranis]

Murphy took 15.9 FGA a game last year scoring 21.5 ppg. He led the Pelicans by 2.5 attempts a game.  So he was the #1 option with a TS% of 61.3.  That is excellent.  He is not a great ball handler, but he doesn't need to be with Tatum next to him.  That is sort of the point. Brown and Tatum often get in each other's way because they have the same skill set.  Murphy is much better playing off the ball.  He won't get in Tatum's way and in fact would help Tatum by being where Tatum needs him and then being able to capitalize on it.