NBA Insider Jake Fischer spoke on a stream on Tuesday and noted that the Boston Celtics "are definitely looking at big men" ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. He said that he's spoken with rival teams, and they've confirmed it's something that's come up multiple times.
Fischer also says that the Celtics have one real outgoing salary trade chip that they can look at to make this potential deal, and that's Anfernee Simons. He says he believes it will be difficult for Boston to find a center that is a close salary match that also goes down in salary without them having to attach too much draft capital to Simons, since he is not really considered a positive contract right now.
It should be plainly obvious why Boston remains interested in acquiring a big. Even with Jayson Tatum sidelined for a prolonged stretch as he works back from the Achilles injury, the Celtics have managed to stay competitive in the East. Jaylen Brown has taken on a heavier offensive and leadership burden, while Derrick White has gotten out of an early-season slump. The Celtics' structure works, but it has clear pressure points.
The Boston Celtics are in the market for a big man
Interior depth remains one of them. Neemias Queta has been solid in an expanded role and has given Boston physicality on the glass, but the drop off behind him has been noticeable depending on matchup. Against bigger frontcourts, the Celtics can struggle to control the paint, particularly when opponents are able to generate second chance points.
This is the context as to why Anfernee Simons’ name keeps surfacing in league conversations. His contract provides Boston with a workable salary slot even if the perception around his value has cooled. Simons has had moments where his scoring punch helps steady the offense, but his role is far from untouchable. From a front office standpoint, he's a sensible trade piece.
The challenge, as Fischer pointed out, is that the center market rarely cooperates. Quality big men with matching salaries are difficult to find. Any deal that truly upgrades the frontcourt is likely to come with a cost, whether that's draft capital or taking on a less than ideal contract.
Boston doesn't have to rush. The Celtics have survived stretches without their full roster and still look like a team built for postseason basketball. If the right opportunity emerges, they're going to explore it. If not, they can afford to trust their foundation and revisit the problem with a wider set of options in the offseason.