The Boston Celtics are firmly in the hunt near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but there's a clear sense around the league - and within the organization - that they’re not quite whole. Not yet. With Jayson Tatum expected back in the coming weeks and the trade deadline looming, Boston is eyeing a key piece to push them from contender to favorite: a starting-caliber big man who can anchor the frontcourt in a deep playoff run.
Right now, Luka Garza is holding down a larger role than originally intended. Ideally, he’s your third big - a dependable option off the bench who can give you efficient offensive minutes and bang on the boards with his strength and motor.
But with injuries reshaping the rotation, Garza has stepped into the No. 2 center role. And while he’s done his job admirably, that’s not the long-term plan for a team with championship aspirations.
The Celtics are just two seasons removed from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy and one year removed from a playoff run that might’ve ended differently if Tatum had been fully healthy. Now, with the core still intact and Tatum nearing a return, Boston is once again a piece away from being the team to beat - and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens knows it.
According to league insider Shams Charania, the Celtics are actively searching for a “big-time starting center” and plan to be aggressive ahead of the February 5 trade deadline. That’s not just smoke - it’s a signal that Boston is serious about maximizing this window.
If Stevens lands that kind of frontcourt presence, it likely means a reshuffling of the rotation. Neemias Queta, who’s been a pleasant surprise in the starting lineup, could shift into a matchup-based role - splitting starts depending on the opponent.
But one thing is clear: if a new big arrives, Garza is headed back to the bench. And that’s not a knock on him.
It’s just the reality of what this team needs to compete at the highest level.
Garza brings a traditional floor-spacing element at the five, but he doesn’t create the kind of mismatches that a healthy Tatum does. And with Boston’s offense poised to re-expand once Tatum returns, they need a center who complements that dynamic - not one who limits it.
The Celtics have been linked to names like Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford - both non-shooters, but physical, rim-protecting presences who can finish around the basket and hold their own defensively. That kind of addition could give head coach Joe Mazzulla the flexibility to mix and match based on matchups, while also unlocking more offensive options when Tatum is on the floor.
Tatum’s return doesn’t just bring back a superstar scorer. It rebalances the offense, takes pressure off Jaylen Brown, and gives guys like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard more clean looks from beyond the arc. To fully capitalize on that, Boston needs a big who can hold down the paint, set solid screens, and keep defenses honest - someone who can thrive in both traditional and five-out lineups.
Garza still has value on this roster. He’s a solid depth piece who can step in when needed. But if the Celtics are serious about making another deep playoff run - and all signs point to yes - then his current role needs to change.
The clock is ticking. The trade deadline is just over a week away.
And while we don’t know exactly who Stevens has in his sights, we do know what he’s looking for: a center who can start, contribute, and elevate this team’s title chances. The Celtics are close.
But in a loaded Eastern Conference, close isn’t good enough. Not when you’ve got a healthy Tatum coming back and a championship-caliber core ready to make another run.