The Boston Celtics have already made some bold moves to reshape their roster, and with the February 5 trade deadline approaching, don’t be surprised if Brad Stevens isn’t done just yet.
This past offseason, Stevens made significant changes, sending out Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis while allowing both Al Horford and Luke Kornet to walk in free agency. The result? A retooled Celtics core that still looks like a contender, but one with a few key holes to fill-most notably at the center position.
That said, Boston’s front office could also be eyeing the backcourt for reinforcements, particularly if Anfernee Simons becomes a trade piece. One name that’s surfaced in recent league chatter is Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu.
Dosunmu isn’t a headline-grabber, but he’s been quietly efficient this season. On a $7.5 million expiring deal, he’s averaging 14.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 51.5% from the field and a scorching 45.7% from beyond the arc. That kind of production, especially on efficient shooting, makes him an intriguing option for a Celtics second unit that could use a little more punch-particularly if Simons is dealt.
Drafted 38th overall by the Bulls in 2021, Dosunmu has been a steady presence in Chicago’s rotation. He’s shown growth each season, and his current form suggests he’s more than just a depth piece. If Boston is looking for a guard who can slide into the rotation without demanding the ball or disrupting the flow, Dosunmu checks a lot of boxes.
But here’s where things get tricky. Boston is already juggling cap concerns, and swapping one expiring contract for another doesn’t exactly move the needle long-term.
Plus, once Jayson Tatum returns and Payton Pritchard likely shifts back to a bench role, the guard rotation gets crowded fast. That raises a fair question: would Dosunmu-or any guard added at the deadline-see meaningful minutes down the stretch?
Brad Stevens has proven he’s not afraid to make moves, but he’s also shown he won’t force the issue. If there’s a deal that makes financial and basketball sense, Boston will explore it. But with roster balance and long-term flexibility in mind, any move for a guard like Dosunmu would have to be the right fit-not just a reaction to available talent.
For now, the Celtics remain a team to watch as the deadline nears. They’ve already reshaped their identity once this year. Whether they tweak it further could come down to opportunity, fit, and how the Eastern Conference landscape continues to evolve.