The Celtics did some additional work on their roster this week by officially signing two-way guard Max Shulga a few days after the release of JD Davison. With summer moves around the league winding down, let’s take a look at some potential tinkering options for Boston in this week’s mailbag.
Is it possible we’re waiting for a post September 7th trade so Brad can combine Simons & Niang in one deal for a big contract (Lauri Markkanen, Domanas Sabonis)? — Jordan
I do not think we are going to see those two moved for a big name this season like the ones you mentioned largely for financial reasons/CBA reasons, along with the fact that Jayson Tatum is expected to be out for this season. Trading for a big name like that feels like a bit of a waste when you are doing it in a season where you aren’t positioned to contend well given all the departures across the roster and Tatum’s injury.
The bigger problem though, comes with the money. Both Markkanen and Sabonis make $46 million and $43 million respectively and so any deal landing them would send the Celtics shooting right back over the second apron even while if the team includes Simons and Niang as part of a trade offer for them. Brad Stevens made it apparent that the team does not want to be there anymore due to the basketball and tax penalties involved above that second apron line.
Ultimately, Boston’s financial situation for this season makes it much more likely we will see deals reducing payroll rather than adding to it through the 2025-26 season. Once Tatum comes back, the equation changes there, but even then, adding a massive salary probably will not be on the table unless it involves another bigger name (Jaylen Brown? Derrick White?) going out the door.
What are your thoughts about the Celtics deciding to go the non-athlete route? This is the least athletic roster in the league. — Jo
That’s a fascinating way to put it although you are certainly right in the frontcourt. Queta can get up for lob and is a decent shot blocker but Garza, Niang and Tillman certainly aren’t going to impress anyone on that court. Elsewhere, there are flashes of athleticism although it’s certainly a weakness compared to other teams. Josh Minott will stand out on that front and Derrick White is probably the best backcourt rim protector in the league. When healthy, Jaylen Brown can be a blur in transition. Honestly, with the pace I expect this team to play at next season, a lack of athleticism offensively probably won’t be too noticeable. Defensively, that could be a different story, depending on what type of lineups Joe Mazzulla wants to lean into.
How much money can the Celtics include in a trade? Who are the trade candidates? Tillman? Niang? Simons? Hauser? — Paul D
The Celtics are below the second apron now after trading away JD Davison so the team has a lot more options now in a trade. They still can’t take back more money than they send out but they can trade multiple players in the same deal now which will allow for some different types of structures than we’ve seen for the last couple of years.
As far as preseason and in-season candidates go, I think you’ve named the most obvious ones. Tillman will be a salary dump if/when he is moved so the Celtics can probably include some extra cash for a team to take him (if Boston has other plans for his roster spot). Beyond that, Niang should be movable if he has a productive start to the season given his reasonable salary and expiring contract.
Boston isn’t going to move Hauser unless they get good value for him but it seems like the preference for now would be to keep him given his value and cost control for the next four years of his deal. Simons’ market is the ultimate wildcard. Whether the Celtics find an appealing deal for him remains an open question given their propensity to not want to take long-term salary back unless it fits into their future plans. If getting under the luxury tax line ends up being a priority, Simons is a likely piece to go.
The guess from me at this point would be that the Celtics keep that final roster spot open for the tax savings. That would leaves Boston’s roster at 13 healthy players with Tatum out but the team also has three two-way players that can come up at any point for depth purposes if other injuries hit. If the Celtics do end up making another signing like Simmons, it wouldn’t surprise me if the team tries to move another contract before opening night to get back down to 14 players. Boston could also just cut someone like Jordan Walsh ahead of opening night if he has a tough preseason in order to take a minimal cap hit like you said but that feels unlikely at this point after his summer performance.
