During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN insider Shams Charania indicated that the Boston Celtics are actively exploring options to make a significant move ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Charania characterized Boston’s approach as “aggressive,” suggesting the front office is motivated to reshape the roster in a meaningful way.
“They’ve been in the market trying to get a big starting center,” he said of Boston’s approach to the trade deadline.
“They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They have assets. They have contracts to play with.”
Boston has been linked to several potential targets, including Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies.
From a financial perspective, the Celtics could dangle Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract, along with a traded player exception worth $22.5 million, to facilitate a deal.
They also retain most of their future first-round draft picks, although their 2032 roster remains frozen due to last season’s second suspension status.
Boston’s flexibility is the result of deliberate moves made this offseason, as the team worked to shed salary and move below the second platform to avoid lengthy draft penalties.
Right now, the Celtics are about $7.8 million under the second platform and it’s widely believed they’re unlikely to cross that threshold again this season.
Celtics are aggressively pursuing a high-level starting center https://t.co/aDJwA7tHeT
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 24, 2026
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