ESPN recently asked its NBA analysts for a summer forecast entering the 2026-27 campaign. Topics included pondering which player will be next to request a trade. They also assessed which team is most likely to make a big move before the trade deadline.
The Golden State Warriors received the most votes. That materializing would reinforce this author's belief that Stephen Curry will probably finish his career without ever changing teams.
After the nine points that went to the franchise that calls the Bay Area home, there was a noticeable drop-off. The Detroit Pistons tallied four. After that, the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets each received three points, tying them for the third-most likely squads to take a big swing before February's deadline.
Don't expect a major Celtics trade between now and opening night
Boston is as well-positioned as any team in the league to make a significant swing. They have ample draft capital and their roster is brimming with young talent. However, it doesn't seem like a move that would send shockwaves through the NBA landscape is on the horizon.
Some Celtics fans may counter that by pointing to when Boston acquired Jrue Holiday right before training camp in 2023. However, that was a domino effect from the Damian Lillard trade. It was clear that the Portland Trail Blazers would reroute the two-time All-Star.
Now, outside of Jalen Duren's restricted free agency, matters are mostly settled. The Warriors haven't done much to help Curry chase another championship, but sending him elsewhere this close to training camp seems unlikely.
If nothing is happening between now and opening night, that only leaves room for an in-season blockbuster.
A major Celtics trade will likely have to wait
Again, Brad Stevens is well stocked for whenever he wants to pounce. But which star is actually going to change teams in-season? There is no clear-cut candidate.
That doesn't mean one can't shake free by February's deadline. But the reality is that it's more likely than not that if Boston makes a deal during the 2026-27 campaign, it's more aligned with last year's swap of Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic -- who recently discussed his time with the C's.
And that's just fine. The Celtics appear plenty comfortable playing out the season with the roster they have and a one-star approach. The cast around Jayson Tatum is well-tailored to the four-time All-NBA First Team selection. It's also a roster that meshes even better with Joe Mazzulla's system.
Those are just two of the reasons to be bullish about what this year might hold for Boston. And when the odds of a superstar changing teams increase next summer, the Celtics will be in a position to strike.
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