Trade season is in full swing. Hypothetical trade season, that is. The official NBA Trade Deadline is less than a month away, and for the first time in years, there’s real speculation that the Boston Celtics could try to make a big splash.
This doesn’t mean they will, but with the way this team has performed this season, relative to expectations, they could look to upgrade over the next month to solidify themselves as contenders.
There have been a few names linked to Boston in various rumors lately. Most recently, Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr.
"Multiple league sources have asserted something whispered in the wind for a long time: The Boston Celtics would love to add Jaren Jackson Jr.," shared Matt Moore in his Substack, Hardwood Paroxysm. "There is no team I've heard with more interest for Jackson."
In response to Moore’s insight, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley put together the following mock trade that would land Jackson in Boston:
Celtics receive:
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- John Konchar
Grizzlies receive:
- Anfernee Simons
- Sam Hauser
- Hugo Gonzalez
- Jordan Walsh
- Celtics’ 2027 & 2031 first-round picks
- Right to swap first-round picks with Boston in 2032
The proposed price would be too steep for the Celtics
First and foremost, Jackson would be a great addition for the Celtics. Though he isn’t a good rebounder for someone his size at just 5.6 rebounds per game, the former Michigan State standout would benefit Boston on both sides of the ball.
At his best, he’s a shot-blocking machine who won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award back in 2023. In the Celtics’ system, he’d likely thrive alongside Neemias Queta in the roaming type role that Kristaps Porzingis and Robert Williams III played during their time in Boston.
Offensively, he’d offer the Cs additional spacing with his proven three-point shot, which would likely improve thanks to high-quality looks generated by the gravity of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Now, with all of that being said, the package pitched by Buckley feels too steep. Yes, Jackson would be a good fit in Boston for years to come. His contract, however, would make it extremely difficult to add new pieces to the rotation down the line.
After this season, he gets a significant raise through 2029-30 that would likely trap the Celtics back above the second-apron.
Because of that, including three first-round picks, as well as two young pieces like Gonzalez and Walsh, wouldn’t be the sharpest play. Both players have shown significant promise in their opportunities this season. Their team-friendly contracts enable Boston to remain financially flexible in the coming seasons, too. Not to mention that giving up those picks would take away the Celtics’ best pathway to more cheap rotation pieces down the line.
Of course, when it’s a trade, you’re always going to have to give something to get something. If there were to be a real agreement between Boston and Memphis, I’m sure some of the above assets would have to be included.
It just wouldn’t be wise for the Celtics to face the second apron again, just with fewer assets this time.