The Boston Celtics are having a solid season and once again look like legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. However, with the trade deadline looming, the center position remains an area that could still be upgraded. ESPN’s Shams Charania recently shared that the Celtics are actively exploring the market for a center.
“They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially. So, they’re gonna be, I think, aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets, they’ve got contracts to use,” Charania said.
For the Celtics, it is a matter of deciding who they can move and what they can get in return. Several teams around the league have starting big men available, and Boston is reportedly willing to trade Anfernee Simons’ contract.
“The Celtics are shopping Anfernee Simons’ $27.6 million expiring contract for an impact starting center. Boston has inquired on Ivica Zubac, Nic Claxton, Onyeka Okongwu, and Daniel Gafford during trade season,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
If Simons is the player the Celtics ultimately move, his time in Boston will have been short-lived. The young guard was acquired this past summer when the Celtics traded veteran Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.
“The Boston Celtics are trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks, sources told ESPN on Monday night. Portland moved aggressively to reacquire Holiday, whom the franchise originally received from the Milwaukee Bucks in the Damian Lillard trade in 2023 and later moved to Boston,” Charania wrote.
The Celtics know they are close to having a championship-caliber roster, but one more move may be necessary to put them over the top. At this point, it appears the first team willing to take on Simons’ contract could be the one that completes a deal.
Boston is also expected to get Jayson Tatum back at some point this season, and pairing that star power with a reliable big man could make the Celtics extremely dangerous. If a deal comes together, it could make for an exciting stretch run and an intriguing postseason ahead.
