The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most consistent forces through the first half of the season, but even with a strong record and a top spot in the East, there’s a growing sense that Brad Stevens might not be done tinkering.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Celtics' frontcourt took some hits over the offseason. Al Horford and Luke Kornet both departed in free agency.
Kristaps Porzingis, who had been a key part of Boston’s interior presence, was shipped off to the Atlanta Hawks in a trade that raised some eyebrows at the time. That left the Celtics thin up front, at least on paper.
To their credit, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have stepped into larger roles and delivered solid minutes. Both bigs have shown flashes-Queta with his physicality and rebounding, Garza with his touch and effort-but as the postseason looms, the question becomes: can they hold up against elite competition in a seven-game series?
That’s where things get interesting.
With the trade deadline just around the corner on February 5, the Celtics are reportedly exploring the market for a potential upgrade at center. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Boston could be eyeing a “big-time starting center” and is expected to be aggressive in trade talks.
“I could see Boston going the other way and maybe add a player, maybe adding another big man,” Charania said during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “They’ve been in the marketplace, potentially trying to get a big-time starting center.
So they’re going to be, I think, aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets.
They’ve got contracts to use and play with.”
That’s not just smoke. The Celtics have been linked to a few high-profile names, including Ivica Zubac of the Clippers and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies. Both would represent a serious boost to Boston’s interior defense and rebounding-areas that could become pressure points in the playoffs, especially against teams like Milwaukee or Philadelphia.
Zubac brings size, rim protection, and a steady presence in the paint. Jackson Jr., meanwhile, is a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber talent who can stretch the floor and switch onto smaller players-exactly the kind of modern big who fits Boston’s defensive versatility.
Of course, pulling off a move for either player won’t be cheap. But Stevens has the tools to work with.
The Celtics have movable contracts and future draft capital that could grease the wheels of a deal. The question is whether the right opportunity presents itself-and whether it’s worth disrupting the current chemistry to make it happen.
Because make no mistake, this team is already rolling. Even with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to injury, Boston has kept pace near the top of the Eastern Conference. The offense is humming, the defense remains elite, and the supporting cast has stepped up in a big way.
So while the Celtics are clearly in a position to buy at the deadline, they’re not desperate. If the right deal isn’t there, Stevens could just as easily stand pat and revisit the market in the summer. But if a true impact big becomes available-and the price is right-don’t be surprised if Boston makes a move that signals they’re all-in on chasing Banner 18 this season.