The Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in Jaren Jackson Jr.
A new name has emerged in the Boston Celtics‘ potential search for a starting-level big man. Joe Mazzulla’s team has been relying on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza during the opening months of the season.
Both Queta and Garza have impressed in their roles. However, it’s clear that Boston will need to upgrade the talent in its big man rotation if it’s intent on making a deep postseason run.
According to NBA Insider Matt Moore, via his Hardwood Paroxysm newsletter, the Celtics have begun to show interest in a potential deal to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Multiple league sources have asserted something whispered in the wind for a long time: The Boston Celtics would love to add Jaren Jackson Jr,” Moore wrote. “…But if Boston loads up a pick-heavy trade package with some nice talent or tradeable contracts (Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez) for a Memphis team that would be starting over, does that get them there? Is anyone going to beat that offer for Jaren? is Jaren’s value better in a year under Iisalo and next to Edey, or worse?”
Jackson, 26, is a former Defensive Player of the Year, winning the award in 2023. He’s seen as one of the most versatile defensive bigs in the NBA, and would become an anchor for the Celtics roster moving forward.
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Contract Could Be An Issue
Brad Stevens spent the summer shedding salary to duck under the second luxury tax apron. However, his five-year $205 million contract extension, which kicks in next season, would likely cement Boston as a second-apron team for years to come.
Adding the defensive lynchpin would put three max-to-supermax level contracts on Boston’s books. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are on supermax deals. Furthermore, it would cost a large portion of the current cost-controlled depth Joe Mazzulla has available on his bench.
Nevertheless, elite defenders rarely become available, and if Jackson is attainable for Boston, it’s logical that Stevens would explore his options.
Adding Jackson Jr. Would Improve The Celtics
Boston lost a significant amount of defensive talent this past summer. Jrue Holiday is an elite defender for his size and position. Al Horford was a reliable presence in the front court. And, Luke Kornet was underrated as a shot-deterrent when guarding pick-and-rolls.
Jackson would allow the Celtics to revert to a switch-everything system, while also having the option to run double-big lineups with two centers capable of rotating over from the weak side and playing a roaming role. The versatility Mazzulla would have at his disposal is enough to talk yourself into a potential deal.
Nevertheless, the cost of prying Jackson away from the Grizzlies will be high. So much so, that Stevens may opt against gutting a roster that has overachieved throughout the season, especially as Boston would likely need to include this year’s draft pick.
Still, this season was always about retooling, and Jackson Jr. would represent a pivot that fans could get behind, regardless of how things play out this season.
With only a couple of weeks left until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, it will be interesting to see what moves, if any, the Celtics decide to make.