The Boston Celtics have so many options to look into this summer. It's actually pretty ambiguous whether they think the best move is to shake up the foundation of their core (like trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo), getting some reinforcements around their current core (like bringing in Paul Reed), or both.
However, one option could auddenly emerge that just might be the right move for Boston: acquiring Rudy Gobert.
This isn't coming from nothing, for what it's worth. NBA Insider Jake Fischer recently revealed on Bleacher Report's live stream that the Minnesota Timberwolves noticed Gobert's struggles against the San Antonio Spurs.
"That's now the North Star in the barometer Minnesota has to look at," Fischer said.
The Timberwolves have been the NBA's epitome of the "close but no cigar," as they lost two consecutive Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025 until the Spurs eliminated them this year.
Gobert has been fantastic for them, but they have to start thinking about moves that could vault them higher. The Celtics could help them with that, though not directly.
Boston could add Gobert to their top-3
The Celtics need an upgrade at the center position this summer. For all of Gobert's warts, he's better than any of the other centers in Boston's rotation by a fair margin. He's still among the most fearsome shotblockers ever and is still a lob threat, even if he doesn't have the best hands. Boston had a fantastic defense, so adding the four-time DPOY and future HOF would take them to a whole new level.
Plus, he's not too overpaid to the point that the Celtics would be uncomfortable paying him, as he'll make $36.5 million next season and $38 million the year after.
Note that he also has a player option in the last year of his deal, which could make him cheaper to acquire. However, the Timberwolves likely wouldn't explore his market unless they get someone who is better.
The Celtics can't offer that (well, they can, but they will know they shouldn't in this regard, because it would be a lateral move at best), but they can offer the necessary contracts to make a deal. They could absolutely acquire an expendable deal like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($21.6 million), then aggregate the necessary deals (Sam Hauser) to match for Gobert two months from now.
If Boston were to utilize that, they would also be at the first tax apron, but it might be worth it, as Gobert would put respect in their frontcourt by himself. Note that the frontcourt competition in the East, as respectable as it is, wouldn't be as tough to fight when comparing it to Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.
Gobert would be the most impactful Celtics defensive big since Kevin Garnett (sorry Al Horford) and would make them pretty much impossible to score on when paired with the Jays and Derrick White.
As far adding to this core without having to give up their three best players, there might not be a player who would help them as much as Gobert.
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