Officially announced the signing! Celtic God-level operation! Goodbye, Ben Simmons

At 7:30 am on August 11, the Celtics officially announced that they had officially signed Chris Boucher, with a contract of $3.3 million in a year. Currently, the total salary of the Celtics is 7.8 million lower than the second rich line and 4 million higher than the first rich line. Without follow-up operations, the Celtics still have to pay a luxury tax of 39.5 million.

Boucher was born on January 11, 1993, with a height of 2.06 meters and a wingspan of 2.24 meters. He was defeated in the 2017 draft. In the 2024-25 season, Boucher played 50 games with the Raptors, all of whom were substitutes. He averaged 17.1 minutes per game, scored 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.5 steals, and shot from three events: 49.2%, 36.3%, and 78.2%. The total salary + luxury tax of the Celtics now totals $240 million, and before the free market began, that figure was $540 million. In less than two months, Celtics operations president Stevens saved the boss $300 million. Celtics reporter Bobby Krivitsky said the team will not sign Simmons again.

In this offseason, both the Celtics and the Knicks are interested in signing Ben Simmons. However, with the Celtics signing Boucher today, the team has no quota left for Simmons. Moreover, the Celtics still have to pay nearly $40 million in luxury tax, and Stevens' next job is to help his boss save money instead of continuing to pay taxes.

Some media joked that Simmons is the king of steals in the NBA history, and he stole $177 million. In the past five seasons, Simmons has only played 166 regular season games in total, taking away $177 million in salary, and earning more than $1 million in an average of one game. The NBA No. 1 pick who just turned 29 years old can't even get a basic salary this summer.

Back to the Celtics, they have been selling Sam Hauser during the offseason. If it can be sent away, the Celtics' total salary will be reduced to near the luxury tax line, and they can save tens of millions of luxury taxes. Hauser's contract will be $45 million for four years and will be executed next season and will not expire in the summer of 2029. The average salary is not high, mainly due to the long term. In the 2024-25 season, Hauser played 71 games for the Celtics, including 19 starts. He averaged 21.7 minutes per game, scored 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 turnovers. He shot 45.1% from the field, 41.6% from three-point shooting percentage and 100% from free throws. Even if Hauser cannot be sent away, the Celtics have a backup plan...

The Celtics are listening to Anfini Simmons' offer, but there is no progress at the moment. Simmons has $27.68 million left in his contract, and he will face renewal issues next summer, which is also a concern for other teams. If Stevens is determined to avoid taxes, sending Anthony Simmons away will definitely be the most cost-effective operation.

Look at the Celtics' operations this summer: 1. Exchange Holiday for Anthony Simmons, saving $40 million directly; 2. Give Porzingis and a second round pick, getting George Nian and a second round pick; 3. Send Nian and two second round picks to the Jazz and get RJ Louis of a two-way contract; 4. Sign Boucher at one year's minimum salary.

The Celtics let Horford and Connet go away, and did not renew their contract. If the full score is 100, how many points do you give the Celtics’ operations?