Celtics reportedly unlikely to take ‘huge swings’ ahead of NBA trade deadline

There have been a number of reviews which have indicated that the Celtics will search to make a notable addition forward of the commerce deadline, but it surely won’t be for a star participant.

The Celtics aren’t anticipated to take “big swings” forward of the Feb. 5 commerce deadline, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported Friday. The report added that the Celtics buying and selling for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo or Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is “unlikely.”

Nonetheless, Boston is predicted to hunt a means to enhance its roster forward of the commerce deadline in some capability and guard Anfernee Simons is the most definitely participant the Celtics would transfer in the event that they should match wage in a commerce, ESPN’s report added. Simons is making $27.7 million this season, which is the ultimate 12 months of his contract.

Whereas Friday’s report is simply the most recent to recommend the Celtics will take a purchaser’s strategy forward of the commerce deadline, it’s the primary since information broke that Jayson Tatum is reconsidering whether or not to return this season. Tatum’s return would nearly definitely be a much bigger addition than any transfer the Celtics might make on the deadline. Nevertheless, Tatum told ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne he hasn’t decided about returning this season as he continues to rehab from his Achilles tear.

Past a doable midseason return from Tatum, a possible frontcourt addition may very well be the largest transfer that the Celtics might make. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported final week that the group could be looking to add a “big-time” center, as their huge man depth has been shaky.

Past Antetokounmpo and Jackson, the highest speculated commerce candidate at middle forward of the Feb. 5 deadline is Clippers standout Ivica Zubac. The Celtics have been linked to Zubac in latest weeks, with Boston exploring a transfer for him when Los Angeles was struggling earlier within the season, HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto reported earlier this week. The potential framework of that commerce reportedly included the Celtics giving up Simons, a first-round choose, and a first-round choose swap.

Zubac has emerged as one of many NBA’s prime facilities over the past couple of seasons. He was named All-Defensive second group in 2024-25, when he averaged 16.8 factors and 12.6 rebounds per recreation. The 28-year-old is averaging 14.6 factors and 10.9 rebounds per recreation this season.

Another notable huge males who’ve been imagined to be accessible forward of the commerce deadline are Anthony Davis (Mavericks), Domantas Sabonis (Kings), Karl-Anthony Cities (Knicks), and Daniel Gafford (Mavericks).

The Celtics, who enter Friday with the second-best file within the Japanese Convention, don’t have a lot wiggle room to make a noteworthy addition with out giving up a key piece. Boston sits lower than $8 million beneath the second apron, making it troublesome for the Celtics to make a commerce the place they add wage.