The Boston Celtics have found themselves in trade rumors quite often over the past week. This season, it just feels par for the course. Boston made significant changes to their roster this summer to dive below the second-apron line and lost three-quarters of their frontcourt in the process.
It makes sense that now, less than a month from the NBA Trade Deadline, they’re being linked to just about every center who could be tradable.
On Monday, they were linked to Brooklyn Nets big man Day’Ron Sharpe, among others, once again. Clutchpoints’ Brett Siegel listed Sharpe as one of the different names that have been connected to the Celtics in recent weeks.
“Brad Stevens is always seeking new ways to reinvent his team and put the Celtics in the best position to contend. [Anfernee] Simons remains a big question mark as a result, and the Celtics are the sneakiest buyers on the market as a result. Daniel Gafford, Ivica Zubac, Robert Williams III, and Day'Ron Sharpe are key frontcourt talents connected to Boston recently.”
Sharpe and the Celtics have been linked for months
According to a late-November report from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Boston showed interest in Sharpe last summer while he was a free agent.
“It’s worth noting that Boston also planned to pursue Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe in free agency,” Scotto shared. “The Celtics would’ve been limited to only a minimum offer for Sharpe, but were prepared to offer a chance to compete for the starting center spot this season.”
Brooklyn was able to offer Sharpe more money than the Celtics were, so he followed the cash back to Barclays Center to sign a two-year $12.5 million deal with the Nets.
Of the names with which the Celtics have been linked, Sharpe’s $6.25 million salary is the cheapest. Considering the Cs are a first-apron team, it’s important to note that they’re unable to take back more salary than they send out in any trade.
This wrinkle actually makes it pretty difficult for Boston to land Sharpe without picking a key piece out of their rotation. Even two minimum salaries don’t get the job done.
As for Sharpe’s potential fit in Boston, he’d be an extra body for the team’s restructured frontcourt. So far this season, both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have played well enough to hold down the fort, but the 24-year-old could offer Joe Mazzulla an extra option off the bench.
He’s actually gotten off to a great start in the new calendar year. Through Brooklyn’s first seven games of 2026, Sharpe is averaging 10.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on 57% from the field.
The big man is seeing more minutes, and his numbers reflect the added opportunity.
Though adding him would be a nice luxury, it doesn’t feel entirely necessary with how well both Garza and Queta have played lately. Neither feels like a weak point during their respective minutes.