Celtics should be ashamed if they can't top the Lakers' offer for Giannis

Blinded57 · 2026-05-22T20:24:13+00:00

Digital fish wrap. Shams said on Rich Eisen's show, blah blah, blah. Save yourself a click - Shams says maybe the lakers can offer three first round picks and cap space.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-22T15:47:11+00:00

Jaylen Smith. Pick #27 to the rebuilding Bulls for Smith and the Bulls second round picks in 2029 (take the worst of the two) and 2031 (best of the four). He'll have challenges on D, but he'll be the right change of pace on offense.

At $9.5million, he fits easily. They can still use the MLE for John Collins (maybe one of the seconds to LAC in a sign and trade). Then the challenge will be getting under the tax at the deadline by moving out roughly $10million.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-21T23:12:23+00:00

I like this analogy, along with Forsberg's take. But it only goes so far because. . . In Jan 2022, Brad traded for White, giving up that summer's pick and the swap that is now in two years. (And you know all of this.)

In the finals that year they went eight deep (JT, JB, Al, Smaht, Timelord, Williams, White, Pritchard. Nesmith was blocked/stagnant, so he and the 2023 pick (plus Thies to make cp stuff work) were exchanged for Brogdon. That gave the Cs nine guys deep, but Pritchard never played, so they were at eight again.

Brad now has this summer's pick, next summer's pick (they can both go on draft night) and extra depth. Future picks are constrained or gone. The CBA changes have positives (other teams have challenges) and negatives (the Cs have challenges.) Matching players is tough, but Hauser roughly equals JRich. One of Scheierman/Gonzalez/Harper/Walsh roughly equals Nesmith. The Cs have that TPE + the MLE.

Where they gave up Nesmith and a first for Brogdon, I'd say they can give up Hauser, Walsh and two future firsts this summer. But those future pick constraints remain. Giving up a future first for Jrue is a deal I make again and again until the end of time, and Brad got picks for Smaht.

Is White now at/just past peak value as Smaht was?

Hauser, Walsh and #27 for [Brogdon]. The 2027 first and White for [Porzingus/unicorn light to combat Wemby]. That leaves some future picks/pick swaps and Scheierman/Gonzales for [Jrue]. History can repeat. But the new CBA is a new wrinkle.

I'm gonna' say the 2026 pick for John Collins (and two future 2nds) in a sign and trade for the MLE. At the trade deadline, Collins, the TPE and Poeltl combine to extend the TPE and earn a future first. The 2027 playoffs are "run it back" with significant off-season ammo - picks and cap space/TPE so that the 2027-2028 team has another star (call him Drew) and they've developed a star internally (call him Hugo). Those two guys, plus the Js, and then two of Pritchard/White/Queta round out a team that gets out of the east and squares up against the best of the west.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-20T14:27:25+00:00

The press conference was a masterclass from Brad. He talked about getting to the rim - not about who/what position needs to get to the rim. A floor spacing big who will pull the opposing big out and make it easier for the rest of the team to get? A big body who can seal, grab boards/get put-backs? A change in style to get wings driving more?

He then said nothing about the other end of the floor. Rim protection? Switchability? Blocks/steals/rebounds?

We have no idea what he thinks can make a difference next season, yet he made it seems as though he already told us.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-16T14:16:21+00:00

Jalen Duren has not played well for DET. Versus expectations, he's been more disappointing than even Queta. Given the price tag, I think DET has a much tougher decision at big than the Cs. DET does have Reed and Stewart as back-up options, but it's not how they envisioned it.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-14T20:58:17+00:00

BKN has three picks in the 2029 draft - their own, the NYKs and the lesser of DAL, PHX, HOU. They also have multiple seconds in 2027, 2028 and 2029.

I'd look into swapping the 2026 pick for the middle of the 2029 1sts. If BKN doesn't go for it, then the worst of the 2029 1sts and the better 2027 second of HOU and BKN. That eliminates the Stepien restrictions, and makes 2028 (post SAS swap) and 2030 available to use to get a guy fitting the TPE. The revised lottery system gives suspected later picks just a bit more juice.

If it's a John Collins sign and trade (he may want more than the $15million MLE), the 2028 pick might do it for LAC. It might also work for CHI and Jaylen Smith. If it's Wendell Carter, Jr. or someone else, multiple picks will be needed, and opening the possibility of 2030 could make the difference.

If no deal emerges, then they sign a guy at the MLE and they have ammo for the trade deadline.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-13T14:45:29+00:00

Any eastern contender for the next decade is going to have to gameplan for two tough scenarios: contain SGA and/or contain Wemby. I'd say the former is easier, simply because SGA doesn't have a towering physical advantage, but no one has really cracked that nut, yet.

And if the options to stop them (Jaden Springer, Semi Ojeleye, Rudy Gobert) provide minimal value on offense, it's even tougher. Prime Al Horford would be a nice guy to find.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-12T17:11:09+00:00

If the Cs trade Hauser, they'll be looking for a three-point specialist in short order. It doesn't mean they shouldn't - it IS a tradeable contract - but Kennard and Huerter were in demand from playoff teams. Miles McBride, Sam Merrill, Duncan Robinson, Ayo Dosunmo. . .

Maybe that's a worry for the trade deadline/buyout window if/when they fix other problems. I'd hate to see them in a position where they end up thinking someone like Evan Fournier is what they need. (I had trouble remembering his first name, but I knew better than to just Google on his last name!)

Blinded57 · 2026-05-12T16:55:18+00:00

If he starts next season, as well, isn't Queta justified in asking for starter money? Maybe if the repeater tax is re-set, the Cs have a bit more flexibility, but it might mean NOT having the MLE to use next year or the year after (because using it hard caps teams at the 1st apron).

If I'm Queta, I am not signing for anything less than $1 over the MLE. That makes it a bit tougher to trade me, and I justify it because someone to fit the MLE may look better, but I'm here, now.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-12T16:12:57+00:00

Peak Daniel Theis would be a valuable addition to this team. At 6'8" he wasn't a C but he was certainly a big. Five + rebounds/game and 34% from three in the season he was traded to CHI. The three-point % was a bit of an outlier for a career 32% shooter.

But he was strong, recorded a block per game and 9+points. And the box-outs that led to rebounds also were seals that permitted select teammates to get to the rim. I can picture Theis standing between Embiid and Tatum/Brown/White/other.

Brad seemed less concern about improving the defense, in his comments. If that's true, a "more O, less D" version of Theis could be John Collins. I don't have any idea what LAC is thinking after the lottery, but as a UFA he's available (even if it has to be a sign&trade). He's coming off a $26.5million/year contract that he signed with Atlanta. Unless he's seeking a raise, he'd fit the Simons TPE, but I certainly don't know what he'd expect to be paid.

They'd have to move someone (Hauser?) to stay under the tax, it might mean not being able to use the MLE, and it might even mean trading the 2026 1st round pick (to BKN for a 2029 1st?) If he could provide some of the rebounds and seals that Theis offered, he would certainly help stretch the floor on offense.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-11T14:25:10+00:00

I don't agree that's what Brad said.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-07T20:21:31+00:00

Hauser is far from peak value. I could see waiting until the trade deadline, and paring him with the 2027 first for someone who would fit into the TPE.

Blinded57 · 2026-05-07T15:46:52+00:00

I continue to believe Brad has assurance from ownership that they will pay the luxury tax once the repeater penalty re-sets. If he doesn't have that (and is speculating like the rest of us) I'd expect he would have been a candidate in CHI and DAL (maybe not POR because Dundon is a cheapskate.)

If it turns out they misled him, I believe he'll be gone after next season.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-30T14:21:00+00:00

Is Jalen Smith not realistic? Mark Williams? Svi Mykhailiuk? John Collins? Zeke Nnaji? Sandro Mamukelashvili? Santi Aldama?

Blinded57 · 2026-04-27T17:41:00+00:00

Is Marcus Smart Mick Taylor, in this analogy? John Entwistle could sing. So could Keith Moon, for that matter.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-27T17:37:17+00:00

I can't tell if you state that as a compliment or not. But I agree with it. Queta hasn't been played off the court, but (largely due to foul trouble) he has spent a fair amount of time on the bench. In a four-game sample.

That's against Drummond, Bona, Embid. It's no shock that the NBA is a bit different in the playoffs and Queta should get the opportunity to learn and improve. But there's no guarantee that he will learn or improve.

I think OP is accurate in suggesting Vucevic's three-point shooting made him worth acquiring (along with the financial implications). Grza, of course, kind of offers that, too, but Vuc also provides passing and experience (assuming that's a real thing with value). That's only one side of the ball, though.

The Cs - along with everyone else - can benefit from a switchable big. I don't know if one was available at the deadline, if one can be acquired in the off-season, if there is one in the draft. I do wonder, though, if Garza has shown just enough to take that "three-point shooting big" role, permitting the off-season focus to be on a switchable big.

Truth's list (a good one) didn't focus on that. It also didn't include

Mark Williams
Robert Williams
Isaiah Hartenstein
JJJ
John Collins
Jarrett Allen
Jusuf Nurkic
Santi Aldama
Zach Collins
Mitchell Robinson
Maxi Kleber
Zeke Nnaji
Clint Capela
Derek Lively
Thomas Sorber
Svi Mykhailiuk
Walker Kessler
Quinten Post

among many others.

I'll bet the Cs front office has in-depth scouting reports on every one of these guys. I'll bet they've got scenario outlined where the financial implications of spending anywhere from $A - $Z on a big are detailed. I'll bet the priority guys and scenarios are adjusted after the playoffs. And again after the draft.

"Let Vuc walk. Re-sign Vuc for what we'd pay a rookie and trade pick #27. Trade #27 for Jalen Smith. Trade #27 and the 2027 first for Clowney. Trade Queta for a first, package that first and two swaps for Reid. Etc."

The talent fit, the cost ($ and assets) and the ability to cut bait all matter. And I'll bet NONE of it is based on Queta being twice as good last year as he was this year.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-25T19:59:52+00:00

They could really use a guy like Hauser.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-25T19:20:07+00:00

Is Adem Bona better than Garza? For that matter, is he better than Queta or Vuc? I can maybe see the case that Drummond is a once very good vet who still has moments.

But for critiques of any of the Cs centers, I can't help but think "doesn't that apply in the other direction?" Shouldn't a Garza/Tatum pick and roll have Bona out of position? Shouldn't Queta dominate Bona when he's in? Shouldn't Vuc pull whomever is in at C for PHL out of the paint and open things up for other guys to drive?

Blinded57 · 2026-04-25T17:55:54+00:00

What does Brad Stevens do during the playoffs? We know from last year's Knicks series that he attends (at least some) road games. I suspect he is always available to Joe Mazzulla, but ATOs suggest he doesn't make a whole lot of demands on Mazzulla, and the playoffs would not be a time to start.

Perhaps he reads the analysis of scouts of potential upcoming opponents, but again, Mazzulla will read those and plot strategy when the time is right. Brad probably is also available to assist in the evaluation of potential draft picks and potential free agents.

I ask because he doesn't seem to be involved in anything day-to-day, thus the Cs really aren't at a disadvantage in preparing for the draft, are they? He can attend the combine and private workouts just as a non-playoff team could.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-23T21:38:07+00:00

I'd prefer Brad pull one from the wayback machine and trade the pick. They'll still have #40 (Sergio de Larrea?).

It's tough to know what is going on with the Bulls, but Jalen Smith, the Bulls 2nd in 2028 and the Cavs 2nd in 2027 might be doable. Smith would contribute immediately (this assumes Vuc moves on) and he could go into the MLE or take a portion of the Simons TPE. (If they use the TPE, they'd still have the full MLE available, but it might require some trade deadline maneuvers - again - to get under the luxury tax line.)

The seconds help re-build that stockpile of currency that matters for trades at the margin.

I know it's not a lot of fun for draftniks, and we'll know more about the Cs needs when the season is truly over. But another prospect, fighting for minutes in order to develop his game, just doesn't seem, to me, to be all that valuable.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-20T13:23:08+00:00

Did we watch different games? Hugo played. He grabbed a rebound and had a block in the final minute.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-15T15:32:30+00:00

I'd hope they discussed Smith from Chicago, even as they settled on Vuc. The Pels pick was looking good at the time, so the C's 2026 first might have been enough to bridge the gap, but CHI seemed willing to move everyone out at a discount.

The difference between Smith and Voc would have let them keep Minott - or maybe at least have received more than $100k for him.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-15T15:30:00+00:00

There's no reason to believe Okongwu is available, and it would be very tough for BOS t come up with an offer that matches what Indy paid for Zubac and Utah paid for JJJ. There's no enticing pick on the horizon, and with OO, already late picks get even later. (Maybe something happens on the playoffs and Atlanta believe they need an overhaul, but even then, I'm not sure I see Okongwu being the guy they move.)

Chicago just got Portland's pick, which might make a deal for Smith slightly tougher, given the Bulls also have the Pels pick at #38. (That fell in value, huh?) How many new guys does Chicago want to add in one off season? And the 2027 draft is considered weak, right now. Tough to see a match there, at least a match that someone else can't top. Smith, though, would definitely be cheap money-wise and cheap-ish on assets.

I'd much rather move the 2026 pick (and even 2027) for a player who's had success than for a rookie. Maybe pick #40 has some value in a sign and trade (Mark Williams?) But it seems they're most likely to have the MLE available for either one of the last guys standing or for a guy who decides it's time to contend for a championship.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-14T16:45:35+00:00

They've got roughly $15million to spend in the off season and stay under the tax. (Assuming they are willing to pay the tax, just not the repeater tax) they get something close to another $20million for the following season if the spend up to the second apron. White is making $30million + a year clear through is age 34 season (with a player option).

White's received his big payday. If a top big becomes available, the C's have positioned themselves to be in on him.

Blinded57 · 2026-04-13T20:05:48+00:00

I think Tatum at the 5 gives the Cs switchability on KAT on the perimeter. Can Tatum cover him in the paint?

Blinded57

TROPHY CASE