Perhaps the busiest NBA team this summer has been the Boston Celtics. The Celtics took action to reduce their cost and avoid salary cap purgatory after they found themselves in a financial bind. They had to give up a great deal of skill in the process, of course. It's reasonable to assume that the Celtics will regress in the 2025–26 campaign, as Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the full campaign due to an Achilles injury.
However, that doesn't mean the Celtics shouldn't take action to be as relevant and competitive as possible the next season. The Celtics won't be letting up since Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Anfernee Simons are still on the team. Therefore, it makes sense to strive to field a competitive team that will aim to qualify for the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference.
In order to make room for Ben Simmons, who is still unsigned in free agency, general manager Brad Stevens would be well advised to reduce the packed yet constrained centre rotation.
In order to sign Ben Simmons, the Celtics must let go of Xavier Tillman.
Following the addition of Chris Boucher, the Celtics presently have 14 players on guaranteed contracts. In addition, rookie Amari Williams is still unsigned, while Max Shulga, Miles Norris, and Reggie Luis Jr. have two-way contracts. Boston will sign one of these players to a minimum guaranteed contract, excluding Simmons, assuming they desire a cheap contributor on the back end of the roster.
On the roster, Xavier Tillman Sr. might be the odd man out. Luka Garza and Boucher were acquired by the Celtics, and Neemias Queta is anticipated to contribute the following season. Tillman has no place in the rotation now that rookie centre Amari Williams is also involved. With a deal that only pays $2.5 million for the upcoming season, the 26-year-old dynamic big man is easily movable. The former Grizzlies centre has enough defensive skill to be considered elsewhere in the NBA despite his poor attacking ability.
Simmons is the perfect candidate for the available roster space. On that end of the court, Joe Mazzulla is looking for his defensive versatility and switchability. He is a compelling choice for a team lacking elite frontcourt skill since he can protect centres and power forwards. He is not the best fit offensively, but if you surround him with enough shooters, such as Pritchard, Simons, White, and Sam Hauser, Simmons can handle the ball well in short bursts.
The Celtics would be wise to offer Simmons a one-year team-friendly contract during a transitional season when there are no championship hopes.
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