The NBA trade deadline is February 5, and the Boston Celtics are basically the person at the party who everyone thinks is about to do something wild, even if they’re just standing by the punch bowl. We've seen this movie before. Brad Stevens is a tinkerer. He’s never met a deadline he didn't want to mess with at least a little bit.
Honestly, the nba trade rumors boston celtics fans are digesting right now feel different because of the Jayson Tatum situation. Tatum is out with that brutal Achilles tear, and while Jaylen Brown is playing out of his mind, the roster feels thin. Especially up front. The Celtics lost Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet over the summer. That's a lot of height to just disappear. Now, they're sitting second in the East with a 25-15 record, but it's a "nervous" 25-15. They just clawed back from 19 down to beat the Heat, but you can’t live like that in the playoffs.
The Jaren Jackson Jr. Dream vs. Reality
Let’s talk about the whale. Jaren Jackson Jr. rumors have been flying because Memphis is in a weird spot with Ja Morant. Michael Scotto from HoopsHype dropped a report recently saying the Celtics have "registered interest."
It makes sense on paper. Jackson is 26, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and he fits the "unicorn" mold that Joe Mazzulla loves. Imagine a defensive lineup of Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum (when healthy), and JJJ. It’s a video game.
But here’s the problem. The Grizzlies aren't exactly rushing to give him away. And the money? It’s a nightmare. Jackson is on a massive extension that will pay him north of $50 million soon. For Boston to even make the math work, they’d have to send out Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser, plus probably two first-round picks and maybe a prospect like Hugo Gonzalez.
📖 Related: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Paying four guys—Tatum, Brown, White, and Jackson—would put the Celtics so far into the second apron they’d be paying the luxury tax in Monopoly money. It's a fun thought, but unless Memphis decides to blow everything up, it feels like more of a "wouldn't it be nice" scenario than a "this is happening Tuesday" deal.
Who is Actually Getting Traded?
If you’re looking for a name that’s actually on the move, look at Anfernee Simons. He’s the most intriguing piece in the nba trade rumors boston celtics circle right now.
Simons just dropped 39 points off the bench against Miami. It was a franchise record for a road game bench performance. He’s been a bit of a square peg in a round hole since coming over in the Jrue Holiday trade, but he’s found his rhythm lately.
- The Case for Keeping Him: He’s a microwave scorer. When the offense stalls, he can create his own shot.
- The Case for Trading Him: He’s on an expiring $27.7 million contract. That is a massive "trade chip" in NBA parlance.
Brad Stevens is in a tough spot. He doesn't want to attach a first-round pick just to dump Simons. He wants a player back who can actually play in May. If he moves Simons, he needs a guard who plays defense or a big man who isn't a liability.
👉 See also: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
The Realistic Big Man Shortlist
Since the frontcourt is basically Neemias Queta and vibes right now, here is who the Celtics are actually looking at:
- Day’Ron Sharpe (Brooklyn Nets): This is the name popping up in every Jay King column and NESN report. He’s 24, cheap ($6.2 million), and he’s a beast on the boards. He fits the salary cap constraints perfectly.
- Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks): Dallas is 15-25 and looking like sellers. Gafford is a lob threat and a rim protector. The math is tricky—Boston might need a third team to facilitate because Dallas can't take back more money—but the fit is seamless.
- Robert Williams III (Portland Trail Blazers): The "Time Lord" reunion. It’s the emotional choice. We know he fits the system. We also know his knees are made of glass. Chris Mannix has reported the Celtics are at least discussing it internally.
- Ivica Zubac (LA Clippers): This was the "Plan A" for many, but Jake Fischer recently reported the Clippers have cooled on trading him. They started the season 6-21 but have stabilized. Unless they crater again before February 5, Zubac might stay in LA.
The Sam Hauser Problem
What’s up with Sam Hauser? He’s in the first year of a four-year, $45 million deal, and he’s struggling. He’s had a handful of games where he hasn't made a single shot.
In the past, Luke Kornet or Al Horford could cover for a shooter who wasn't hitting. This year, the Celtics need every point. If Hauser isn't hitting 40% of his threes, he becomes a trade candidate. Moving him wouldn't be about getting a star back; it would be about getting under the second apron and gaining some flexibility.
The reality is that Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez are waiting in the wings. They provide more defensive versatility, even if they aren't the shooters Hauser is supposed to be.
✨ Don't miss: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
How the Second Apron Changes Everything
We have to talk about the boring stuff: the CBA. The new collective bargaining agreement is designed to kill teams like the Celtics.
If Boston stays above the second apron, they can't aggregate salaries in trades. They can't use Trade Exceptions. They can't even sign buyout players. Brad Stevens is playing a game of 4D chess where half the pieces are glued to the board.
Any move made in the next three weeks has to be "value only." That’s why a guy like Myles Turner—who would be perfect—is so hard to get. He makes $27 million. To match that, Boston has to give up Simons, and Milwaukee (who might be rebuilding if Giannis leaves) will want more than just an expiring contract.
Actionable Insights for the Deadline
If you’re tracking these rumors, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe is the most realistic "get." If a trade happens, it likely involves him or a similar low-salary big.
- Simons is the Key: The Celtics won't move him for nothing. If he’s traded, it’s for a legitimate rotation piece, not just a salary dump.
- The Health Factor: If the Celtics think Tatum is coming back for the playoffs, they’ll be aggressive. If they think this season is a wash, expect them to stand pat or even sell a minor piece to save money.
Don't expect a Jaren Jackson Jr. blockbuster. It’s fun for Twitter, but the math is a nightmare. Instead, look for a move that brings in a gritty rebounder and maybe a veteran guard. Brad Stevens usually finds the deal no one is talking about until the Woj bomb actually hits.