Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics continue navigating a busy offseason, with shedding salary as the main priority. After a series of aggressive cost-cutting moves, Boston’s center rotation has been left thinner than expected heading into the 2025–26 season.
With questions mounting about Boston’s frontcourt, Jack Simone of FanSided has identified a potential solution: Brooklyn Nets big man Day’Ron Sharpe.
Why Sharpe Makes Sense for the Celtics
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, Sharpe has made himself more tradeable this offseason.
Day'Ron Sharpe waived his implied no-trade clause in his new deal with the Brooklyn Nets, a league source told @spotrac.
Sharpe was eligible for a NTC because his deal includes an option (team option in this case) on the second season.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 9, 2025
The 23-year-old center brings exactly what the Celtics need: youth, energy, and upside. Drafted 29th overall in 2021, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 18.1 minutes per game last season for the Nets.
What makes Sharpe stand out is his rebounding. He posted the league’s second-highest offensive rebounding percentage among players with over 600 minutes at 17.8 percent, an area where Boston has historically needed a boost.
Despite recently signing a new contract in Brooklyn, Sharpe’s $6.3 million annual salary keeps him affordable and within reach if Boston were to make a move.
Do the Celtics Really Need Another Center?
While Sharpe is intriguing, the question remains whether Boston should actually pursue him.
The Celtics’ frontcourt already looks very different after parting ways with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet. But the roster still features five centers on paper: Neemias Queta, veteran Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman, and rookie Amari Williams. Depth is not the issue. The real question is talent.
Queta may already be the answer. While his NBA production has been limited — just 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game last season — his performance at EuroBasket was historic. He delivered the seventh-best rebounding game in EuroBasket history, a sign that his development might be peaking at just the right time.
Neemias Queta at 2025 EuroBasket:
15.5 PPG on 57.6 FG% to go with 8 RPG and 1.7 BPG in 24 MPG
He led Portugal in points, rebounds and blocks 😤 pic.twitter.com/xEVFvYzr5K
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) September 6, 2025
The Verdict for Boston
Day’Ron Sharpe represents a compelling opportunity: a young, productive big man available at a reasonable price. But the Celtics already have bodies in the middle, and Neemias Queta may be ready to claim the starting role.
With Sharpe’s no-trade clause waived, Boston has the option to make a move if needed. For now, patience might be the smartest play. Sometimes the best trade is the one you don’t make.