The NBA trade deadline is a month away, and honestly, the vibes in Boston are kind of weird right now. Usually, when a team’s best player goes down with a torn Achilles, the season is a wash. But Jayson Tatum’s injury hasn’t buried this team. Instead, Jaylen Brown has basically gone into "supernova" mode, and the Celtics are sitting at 24-15, third in the Eastern Conference.
It’s a bizarre spot to be in.
Do you push all your chips in to help Jaylen while Tatum is rehabbing? Or do you play the long game? Brad Stevens isn’t the type to sit on his hands. He’s been monitoring the "big man" market for months, and with the February 5 deadline approaching, the Boston Celtics possible trades chatter is getting loud. The team is surviving, but the frontcourt is thin. Like, "one rolled ankle away from disaster" thin.
The Robert Williams III Reunion: Emotional or Logical?
If you want to talk about a move that would make every Celtics fan lose their mind, it’s bringing back Robert Williams III.
Yes, the "Time Lord" himself.
Chris Mannix has already noted that Williams is a name being discussed internally. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s about a $13.3 million contract that is incredibly easy to match. Currently, Williams is in Portland, averaging about 15 minutes a game and looking like his old shot-blocking self. He’s shooting over 70% from the field.
But there's a catch. There's always a catch with Rob.
Can you trust his knees?
If you’re Brad Stevens, you’re looking at a guy who already knows the defensive system. You don’t have to teach him where to stand. He fits into the $27.6 million expiring salary of Anfernee Simons (who has been a scoring machine but is essentially a giant trade chip). Moving Simons for Rob Williams and maybe a wing would be a massive gamble on health, but the "ceiling" it gives the Celtics' defense is terrifying for the rest of the league.
The "Dream Target" That Just Walked Away
For a while, everyone was obsessed with Ivica Zubac.
He’s huge. He’s efficient. He’s on a team-friendly deal ($18.1 million). He was the perfect answer to Boston's lack of size. Unfortunately, NBA insider Jake Fischer recently rained on that parade. It sounds like the Clippers, despite a rocky start, have decided they aren't sellers. They actually think they can compete.
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Zubac is likely off the table.
That shifts the focus to guys like Daniel Gafford. He’s making $14.4 million this year. He doesn’t need the ball. He just runs, jumps, and blocks things. If the Celtics want to stay "big" without paying a "star tax," Gafford is the move. He’s the kind of player who wins you a random Tuesday night game in March because he out-hustles everyone.
The Math Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About
Look, we have to talk about the money. It’s boring, but it’s why trades happen.
Boston is currently flirting with the "second apron." If you aren't a salary cap nerd, basically, that means they have almost zero flexibility. They can’t aggregate salaries in trades. They can’t use certain exceptions.
To make a move for a guy like Jaren Jackson Jr. (who has been linked to Boston in some wild rumors), they would have to send out a ton of talent. JJJ is making massive money on his new extension—we're talking $50 million-plus per year soon. Pairing him with Tatum, Brown, and Derrick White would make the Celtics the most expensive team in sports history.
It’s probably not happening.
Instead, watch Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser. Hauser has struggled lately, shooting under 30% in multiple games. He’s in the first year of a $45 million deal. If Stevens thinks Hauser’s shooting slump is permanent, he might ship him out to get under the tax aprons.
Other names to keep an eye on:
- Myles Turner: The dream fit. He blocks shots and hits threes. If the Bucks implode, he’s the ultimate prize.
- Walker Kessler: He’s out for the season with shoulder surgery, but he’s a "buy low" candidate for 2026-27.
- Nick Richards: Not sexy. Not a star. But he’s cheap and can soak up 15 minutes of physical play.
What Brad Stevens is Actually Cooking
The most likely scenario isn't a blockbuster.
Stevens tends to value chemistry. Bringing in a massive ego might disrupt what Jaylen Brown has built this season. The goal is likely a "retool" rather than a "rebuild." If Tatum is really at "110% health" by the playoffs (as the team hope), adding a reliable center like Daniel Gafford or a healthy-ish Rob Williams could be enough to make a deep run.
The Simons contract is the key.
At $27.7 million and expiring, it's the ultimate "get out of jail free" card for a team looking to shed salary or for a team like Boston looking to bring back a high-impact vet.
Next Steps for the Roster
Watch the minutes of Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh over the next two weeks. If their playing time spikes, it means the Celtics are trying to see if they can survive without making a trade. If they struggle, expect a move for a veteran big man before the February 5 deadline. Keep an eye on the Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report—if Rob Williams III stays active and productive, the "Time Lord" homecoming becomes more than just a fan theory.