The Boston Celtics are officially in the mix as the NBA trade deadline approaches, and it looks like Brad Stevens is ready to make some noise. According to the latest from Shams Charania, Boston is actively exploring the market for a "big-time starting center" - a move that signals the Celtics are looking to level up as they push for position in the Eastern Conference.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a panic move. Even without Jayson Tatum on the floor, Boston has been holding its own.
Jaylen Brown has stepped up as the lead option, and the Celtics continue to look like one of the East’s top-tier teams. But regular season success doesn’t always translate to playoff wins.
And that’s where this front office is focused.
The postseason is a different beast. It’s one thing to rack up wins in January - it’s another when defenses zero in on your stars and force your role players to carry the load.
That’s where things get tricky. Guys like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard have shown they can knock down shots, but their playoff experience has mostly come in complementary roles, with spacing provided by versatile bigs like Al Horford.
Right now, Boston’s center rotation is leaning heavily on Neemias Queta, who’s brought energy and rim protection but doesn’t stretch the floor or offer the same level of offensive versatility. If Tatum is nearing a return - and all signs point to his Achilles injury trending in the right direction - head coach Joe Mazzulla is going to have to juggle some lineups. Bringing in a veteran center who can anchor the defense and space the floor could smooth that transition and give the Celtics a more familiar identity heading into the second half of the season.
So who fits the bill?
Two names stand out as realistic options: Myles Turner and Brook Lopez. Both bring veteran experience, defensive presence, and the kind of offensive skill set that complements Boston’s core.
Let’s start with Lopez. He may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s still a high-IQ big who can knock down threes and protect the rim.
He’s also the Brooklyn Nets’ all-time leading scorer and has reinvented his game over the years - especially from beyond the arc. If Boston’s looking for someone who can step into a Horford-like role, Lopez checks a lot of boxes.
He’s not going to dominate the highlight reels, but he brings playoff experience and floor-spacing that could be invaluable in a tight series.
Then there’s Myles Turner - the more intriguing, and likely more expensive, target. Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks this past offseason, but with the Bucks facing some big-picture questions about their future - especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term status always looming - Turner could be available.
He’s still one of the league’s better two-way bigs, and not long ago was a key piece on a Pacers team that came within a quarter of an NBA Finals appearance. He can block shots, stretch the floor, and finish around the rim - all while playing within the flow of the offense.
Of course, adding a player of Turner’s caliber won’t come cheap. Any deal would likely have to include Anfernee Simons and/or Sam Hauser, depending on how aggressive Stevens is willing to be between now and the February 5 deadline.
The Celtics are already one of the most balanced teams in the league, but the front office knows the margins in the playoffs are razor-thin. If they can add a center who brings both defensive toughness and offensive versatility, it could be the move that pushes them from contender to favorite.
With Tatum on the mend and the trade deadline looming, Boston’s next few weeks could shape the rest of their season - and maybe even their championship window.