NBA Trade Deadline Watch: Celtics Stay Patient, Sixers Explore Options, Spurs Eye Frontcourt Depth
With the trade deadline looming, several teams are weighing their options-not with panic, but with precision. Let's take a closer look at where things stand for the Celtics, Sixers, and Spurs as front offices across the league try to balance financial flexibility with roster upgrades.
Boston Celtics: Staying the Course, Not Cutting Corners
The Celtics are in a rare position of strength-and they know it. Despite the looming luxury tax, ownership isn’t pressuring president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to slash spending.
That’s significant. It means Boston can afford to be selective, not reactive, as the deadline approaches.
Anfernee Simons continues to pop up in trade chatter, particularly as a potential asset in a deal that could bolster Boston’s frontcourt. But here’s the key: there’s no urgency.
Simons has performed well in his first season with the team, and Boston has already outpaced most preseason expectations. Unless a deal clearly moves the needle, the Celtics are content to ride with what they’ve built.
That kind of patience is a luxury in itself-and it’s one Boston has earned.
Philadelphia 76ers: Drummond Drawing Interest
Philadelphia is listening on Andre Drummond, and there’s logic behind it. The veteran big man is on an expiring $5 million deal, and moving him could slide the Sixers under the luxury tax line-thanks in part to the variance credit from Paul George’s suspension.
Drummond still brings value in short bursts, especially on the glass and as a physical interior presence. That hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The Rockets, in particular, have shown interest, especially after losing Steven Adams for the season due to ankle surgery. For Houston, adding size isn’t just about depth-it’s about staying competitive in a Western Conference that punishes teams light on interior defense.
For the Sixers, this is a classic case of asset management. If Drummond can bring back a piece or create financial breathing room, it’s a move worth considering.
San Antonio Spurs: Quietly Scanning the Big Man Market
The Spurs aren’t expected to make a splash, but they’re keeping tabs on the center market. And with good reason.
One name drawing interest is Goga Bitadze. The 26-year-old center is among the players the Magic have made available as they look to duck under the tax line, and he’s caught the eye of multiple teams-including the Spurs, Raptors, and Knicks.
Another player on San Antonio’s radar: Robert Williams. While he’s currently sidelined, his defensive instincts and rebounding ability make him an intriguing long-term play. Injured Blazers wing Matisse Thybulle is also a name to monitor, though he’s more likely to hit the buyout market if not moved by the deadline.
For the Spurs, this isn’t about chasing headlines. It’s about adding depth, exploring optionality, and continuing to build around their young core with smart, low-risk moves.
Final Word
As the deadline nears, the Celtics are holding firm, the Sixers are exploring calculated flexibility, and the Spurs are quietly doing their homework. No panic.
No desperation. Just front offices trying to thread the needle between present performance and future positioning.
The moves may not be seismic-but they could be the kind that matter most come playoff time or next season’s rebuild. Stay tuned.