Celtics, Celtics trade, NBA trade deadline, Brad Stevens
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Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, answers a question during a press conference at Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics reportedly plan to be “aggressive” in pursuit of a new starting center ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics feel that a new starting center could be the last piece of the puzzle to help them get back to championship status, especially ahead of Jayson Tatum’s return to the lineup at some point in the second half of the season.
“They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially,” Charania told the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday.
“They’re going to be aggressive, I think, in moving the needle. They’ve got assets. They’ve got contracts to play with.”
Charania added that the Celtics may no longer be keen on shedding salary to try and get under the First Apron of the luxury tax line, as was previously expected after they traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday last summer for financial relief.
Celtics Trade Deadline Targets
“I could see Boston going the other way,” Charania predicted, claiming that rival execs believe the Celtics may be more open to taking on contracts to make a title push.
So, who could be the “big-time” starting center in the Celtics’ trade wishlist?
As has been widely reported, the LA Clippers‘ Ivica Zubac and the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Jaren Jackson Jr. have been linked to the Celtics in their pursuit of quality bigs. While there is no evidence suggesting the Grizzlies are shopping Jackson, who is seen as their franchise player amid Ja Morant’s inevitable departure, the Clippers are reportedly open to dealing Zubac but have set a very high asking price.
Celtics Trade Deadline Plans
Per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Celtics are among at least five teams that have inquired about Zubac’s availability.
“The Clippers have rejected trade offers for Zubac, with a belief around the league that they’re seeking multiple first-round picks in any potential deal for him,” Siegel reported
“One team offered an unprotected first-round pick and a pick swap in an offer for Zubac, sources said, but those talks didn’t go anywhere.”
The Celtics technically have the ability to offer multiple first-round picks for Zubac, along with Anfernee Simons‘ expiring $27.7M salary. They also have the option of packaging fan-favorite Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser in a potential deal. However, it seems unlikely that the C’s will part with multiple rotational players, with insiders expecting them to build a package around Simons and draft assets.
Both Zubac and Jackson are defensive-minded bigs who could fit in nicely next to the Celtics’ Big 3 of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. They’re also both signed for the long haul, making them viable fits for the rest of the Tatum-Brown era.
The Celtics started the season very thin at the five spot after losing Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford last offseason. However, fifth-year big man Neemias Queta has done admirably well as the starting center, averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks from 42 starts. Rookie Luka Garza and Josh Minott have also filled in well in the second unit, helping the Celtics (28-16) consolidate the second seed in the East.