The Boston Celtics have been the biggest surprise in the Eastern Conference. As a result, the Celtics are likely to be buyers rather than sellers, as originally believed at the start of the season, NBA Insider Zach Lowe believes. What do the Celtics need, and who are their targets?
“All the rumblings around the league are that Boston is now going to buy,” Lowe said recently on his podcast. “I don’t know how that works. I don’t know if they can buy and cut their tax bill at the same time. The obvious place for them to buy would be up front, where they could use another forward. But this team is clearly really good.”
Eastern Conference Team Surprisingly Expected To Be Aggressive At Trade Deadline
Boston owns the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 27-16. The Celtics, who have won 19 of their last 27, also own the third-best scoring margin at +7.0. The C’s sit 5.5 games behind conference-leading Detroit Pistons. They are also one and one-half games clear of the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, who are third and fourth in the conference.
The Celtics are definitely contenders in the Eastern Conference despite being without star Jayson Tatum. However, Tatum could reportedly be back on the floor before the end of the regular season. He is said to be shooting to be back on the floor by the end of next month or March.
According to Jay King of The Athletic. Tatum worked out for about an hour in Detroit on Monday morning, as the Celtics were in town to face the Pistons.
” [Tatum] flashed his typical outside touch and showcased the physical progress he has made over the eight months since rupturing his Achilles last spring,” King said. “Tatum did shooting drills simulating coming off screens. He worked on his pull-up jump shots. He drove through contact from Dobbins, who was playing the role of defender. Tatum rose for a few dunks during the workout as well.”
How Has The Celtics Turned A “Throwaway” season into a real possibility?
Boston has been fantastic on offense. The Celtics are one of the best shooting teams in the league, though they shoot a high volume of threes. The Celtics make 15.6 treys on 42.4 attempts, both second-most in the league behind only Golden State, and rank eighth at 36.8%. Nearly 50% of their 90 shot attempts come from beyond the arc. They are also deep and don’t turn the ball over.
Coach Joe Mazzulla uses 11 players regularly, with nine averaging double figures. Jaylen Brown is having a career season and averages nearly 30 points per contest. Derrick White is producing his best season with 17.6 points and 5.4 assists despite shooting under 40% from the field. Payton Pritchard has demonstrated he is an NBA starting guard, while Neemias Queta has given the C’s a reliable five-man.
Boston’s bench is also one of the best in the league, led by Anfernee Simons and 3-point ace Sam Hauser. Additionally, the Celtics rank second in the league in defense, limiting opponents to 110 points per game on 44% shooting. However, the C’s do not rebound well on defense.
Who Are The Celtics Targetting In A Trade
While Tatum’s return will be the Celtics’ best acquisition, the Celtics could still use some depth in the frontcourt, particularly in terms of size. The C’s also need the big man to be a capable rebounder and physical presence.
While Queta and Luka Garza have been solid, the Celtics don’t have anyone else taller than 6-foot-8 than those two. Also, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Chris Boucher have been major disappointments.
“I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN when talking about Queta. “He does everything you want in a center.”
Here is the thing: one of the Celtics’ reported goals this year was to get out of the league’s luxury tax. The Celtics, who have an open roster spot, are still over the tax threshold by $12 million. They do have some maneuverability if the tax isn’t an issue, since they aren’t hard-capped. The C’s are over the first apron, which could be problematic, and $7.8 million below the second apron.
The Celtics have been linked to Ivica Zubac. Zubac would be an ideal fit for the Celtics, but it is unlikely that he will be available as the Clippers don’t figure to be sellers. The Clippers have played really well after a slow start.
Jaren Jackson Jr. would be another excellent addition for the Celtics. Like Zubac, Triple J is not likely going anywhere at this point.
Robert Williams, Daniel Gafford, and Day’Ron Sharpe are three players whom the Celtics could also pursue. This trio of players makes the most sense for the Celtics, given their salaries and trade cost.
Day’Ron Sharpe
Boston reportedly had interest in Sharpe when he was a restricted free agent this summer. And the 24-year-old is expected to be available at the trade deadline, per Brian Robb of MassLive.
“One center that is expected to be available ahead of the trade deadline is Nets backup center Day’Ron Sharpe,” Robb said. “The big man is in the midst of a strong season, posting 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in just 18.1 minutes per game. He’s on a modest contract ($6.25 million) that includes a team option for next season, making him a good fit for teams that may not have the flexibility to add much payroll, like Boston.”
However, as Lowe mentioned on his podcast, Sharpe is expected to garner more interest than the Celtics. Lowe added that Brooklyn potentially nets a first-rounder for Sharpe. Sharpe has been extremely productive throughout his career, is an elite rebounder, and is a capable rim protector. He is also an elite-ish finisher around the rim.
Except for 2029, the Celtics own their own first-round selection from 2026 through 2032. The Celtics also own several trade exceptions: Jaden Springer ($4.0 million), Kristaps Porzingis ($22.5 million), Jrue Holiday ($4.7 million), and Georges Niang (8.4 million)
The Trade
Boston acquires Sharpe via a trade player exception from Brooklyn for Boucher and Tillman, along with a 2026 first-round selection and a Detroit 2026 second-round pick. The Celtics’ first-round pick is expected to be in the high-teens to 20s.
Daniel Gafford
The Celtics have reportedly also checked in on Gafford. Gafford is under contract through 2028-29 with the Mavericks and is having a less-than-stellar season. Still, the 27-year-old fits with Tatum and Brown, as he is an elite rim protector. A rebounder and fantastic finisher who isn’t a high-usage offensive player. He has also dealt with injuries throughout the season.
Gafford, who has sat out five of the last six games with an ankle injury, averages 7.8 points along with 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. He has produced three double-doubles and is shooting 62.9% from the field in 21 minutes over 29 contests.
The Trade
Boston receives Gafford via a traded player exception while sending Tillman or Boucher along with their 2026 first-round pick and New Orleans ‘ second-round selection.
Robert Williams
If Boston traded for Williams, the 28-year-old would reunite with the franchise that drafted him and where he spent the first five seasons. Injuries for the last several seasons have plagued Williams. However, he is still an athletic force who thrives on the backboards and as a shot-blocker.
Williams has averaged just 16 minutes due to injuries, and Portland has several centers on its roster. The 6-9 big averages 6.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 72.6% from the field. He is on an expiring contract.
The Trade
The Celtics acquire Williams via player exception while sending Tillman or Boucher along with Detroit’s 2026 second-round pick.