It is no secret that the Boston Celtics may use a starting-caliber heart after a rocky begin to the season. Sadly for them, a prime potential commerce goal seems to be off the board.
Utah Jazz heart Walker Kessler was one of many prime out there large males, however a shoulder harm has value him the remainder of his 2025-26 season. That signifies that the Celtics will likely be pressured to look elsewhere for a beginning heart.
That may be a disappointing growth contemplating that he’s nonetheless on his rookie contract, making him far simpler to accumulate than most veteran large males. He’s additionally simply 24 years outdated, which means he’s youthful than the Celtics’ core and nonetheless has loads of room to develop.
Now, Boston must scour the commerce marketplace for potential upgrades in the event that they wish to attempt to make a playoff push this season.
The Boston Celtics desperately want an improve at beginning heart
Two potential backup commerce targets Boston should take into account are Dallas Mavericks large man Daniel Gafford and Chicago Bulls heart Nikola Vucevic. Each convey distinct issues to the desk. Gafford is an athletic, rim-running large man who can defend the basket and end lobs.
He’s additionally a superb rebounder and matches the mould of a defensive anchor heart kind. In the meantime, Vucevic is extra of an offensive possibility at heart, coming off probably the greatest years of his profession, averaging 19.4 factors and 10.4 rebounds, and taking pictures 41% from three final season.
Protection could be an issue, however he’s a greater offensive participant than Boston presently has at heart. He’s additionally on an expiring contract and could possibly be purchased again for much less subsequent season if he performs properly.
Who ought to the Boston Celtics commerce for this season?
Between the 2 choices, Gafford is likely to be higher given his stability on each ends of the ground. One potential commerce package deal would see the Celtics ship Anfernee Simons to the Mavericks in a deal centered round Gafford.
That transfer would give Dallas extra backcourt playmaking and scoring, with them in determined want of each after getting off to a traditionally unhealthy begin offensively this season. He additionally would enable them to shed Gafford’s wage for the following three seasons.
As for the Celtics, they might get an improve at heart with Gafford fairly paid and below contract for 3 extra seasons. He finally would not be a nasty backup plan after Kessler’s harm.
Whether or not the Celtics pull the set off on a commerce for him relies on the place they are going to be within the standings within the subsequent few weeks and months. If they’re struggling to remain afloat in a weak Japanese Convention, then they might pull again on making a transfer.
That may hold their powder dry for an even bigger transfer within the offseason. Even so, with no large commerce, the Celtics would possibly make the playoffs, growing the necessity for a deal to get accomplished.
