The Boston Celtics weren’t exactly being counted out heading into the 2025-26 season-but let’s be honest, expectations were tempered. Jayson Tatum’s still sidelined with a ruptured Achilles, and there’s a real chance he misses the entire year.
On top of that, the Celtics traded away two key pieces from their 2024 championship run-Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. So, it would’ve been fair to assume this season might be a transitional one.
Instead, Boston’s sitting pretty in the top three of the Eastern Conference, and they’re doing it with a mix of smart coaching, internal development, and just enough grit to hold things together. Joe Mazzulla deserves a lot of credit here.
His system has clicked, and his players have responded. Most notably, Jaylen Brown has elevated his game in a big way.
He’s hovering around 30 points per game with a true shooting percentage near 57%, and the playmaking? It’s taken a noticeable step forward.
The old jokes about his left hand? Those are fading fast.
Still, even with Brown playing at an All-NBA level and the team overachieving, it’s clear the Celtics are still a piece or two away from reclaiming true contender status-especially once Tatum returns. They’ve already tested the waters, reportedly trying to pry Ivica Zubac from the Clippers in a deal centered around Anfernee Simons and draft capital. No dice.
The need is obvious: frontcourt help. With Porzingis and Al Horford gone, Boston’s big-man rotation has leaned on Neemias Queta and a patchwork crew. They’ve held their own, but if the Celtics want to make another deep playoff push, they’ll need a big who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and fit their switch-heavy defensive scheme.
Enter Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Memphis Grizzlies are spiraling. What began as a rough finish to last season has snowballed into a full-on collapse this year.
They’re well below .500 and have already started selling, shipping Desmond Bane out for a massive haul. All signs point to more moves coming, and Ja Morant is the name most frequently floated.
Morant’s value, though, isn’t what it once was. His off-court issues were easier to overlook when he was playing at an All-NBA level.
Now? He’s not even playing at an All-Star level.
His efficiency has cratered-his true shooting percentage sits at 52.1%, which would rank him near the bottom of the league among volume scorers if he had enough games under his belt to qualify. And unlike someone like Derrick White, Morant’s not making up for it with elite defense or off-ball impact.
Add in the injuries and the hefty contract, and it’s no surprise the trade market for Morant is lukewarm at best. He’s still just 26, but the lift and explosiveness that once defined his game seem diminished. Combine that with the baggage, and it’s a tough sell.
That brings us back to Jackson. With Memphis clearly pivoting toward a rebuild, it might not make sense for them to hang on to a player like Jackson-especially with his contract set to average around $51 million annually over the next four seasons. That’s a premium price for a player who, while incredibly valuable, isn’t a franchise centerpiece.
But for Boston? Jackson could be the missing piece.
He’s the kind of elite role player championship teams covet. A secondary scorer who can knock down threes, protect the rim at a high level, and guard multiple positions.
He’s not just a standstill shooter either-he can attack closeouts and get to his sweet spot with that soft lefty hook that defenders still can’t seem to figure out. And with Tatum and Brown drawing so much attention, Jackson would have all the space he needs to operate.
Defensively, he might even be an upgrade over Porzingis. He’s a better shot-blocker when both are at their best, and he’s more mobile than Horford was in his later years.
The one knock? Rebounding.
Jackson’s never been a dominant force on the glass, and it’s fair to question whether he can hold up as a full-time five. But let’s not pretend Porzingis or Horford were putting up Dennis Rodman numbers either.
Boston’s wings-Tatum, Brown, White-are all strong rebounders for their positions, and even guys like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard know how to box out and secure boards.
The Celtics’ system-spacing the floor, launching threes, and switching everything on defense-is tailor-made for a player like Jackson. The fit is seamless.
The only challenge? The price.
Jackson’s contract is hefty, and in the current CBA landscape, teams are becoming more cautious about giving up major assets for players who aren’t clear No. 1 options. That said, Boston’s window is now, and if they want to maximize this core, it’s a move worth considering.
Tatum, Brown, and White are untouchable. Those three, plus Jackson, would form the foundation of a team capable of winning it all. Anfernee Simons would likely be the salary centerpiece in any deal, and Boston would need to be comfortable parting with two or three first-round picks to get it done.
It’s a steep price, no question. But the Celtics aren’t rebuilding-they’re reloading. And if they believe Jackson can help them get back to the mountaintop, it’s a risk worth taking.