NBA Rumors: The 2 Centers Boston Celtics Wants to Improve Their Title Chances

The Boston Celtics are proving to be one of the big surprises in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 28-16 and holding the second spot, the team has managed to stay in the elite despite not having Jayson Tatum all season and losing key pieces from the last championship like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

Now that the team is fully engaged in the fight and with Tatum publicly hinting at a possible return before the playoffs, Boston has decided to take action to enhance the roster.

Insider Shams Charania outlined the Celtics' plans for the trade deadline during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. According to him, the franchise is exploring the market with the aim of acquiring a top-tier starting center. "They have been active in the market, trying to get a significant starting center. They are going to be aggressive to make a competitive leap. They have assets and contracts to work with," Charania noted.

In this context, one of the names that emerges as a potential trade piece is that of Anfernee Simons, whose contract expires at the end of the season and amounts to $27.7 million.

Two Names for the Paint

Among the big men linked to the Celtics, two very different but impactful profiles stand out: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ivica Zubac.

Jackson, currently with the Memphis Grizzlies, is drawing significant interest across the league offices. "I haven't heard of any team showing more interest in Jackson," insider Matt Moore recently wrote. The power forward was the Defensive Player of the Year in the 2022-23 season and has been selected three times to the NBA All-Defensive Team. This season, he is averaging 18.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 made threes, and 1.5 blocks per game.

The other option is Ivica Zubac, the center for the Los Angeles Clippers, who is once again putting up a double-double season with averages of 14.8 points and 11.1 rebounds.

Despite the interest, neither of the scenarios presents an easy path for Boston. In Zubac's case, the Clippers' strong form complicates any negotiation. The Los Angeles team has won 14 of their last 17 games, making it hard to imagine them parting ways with one of their key players, as noted by Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report.

A similar situation arises with Jackson Jr.: his defensive status and impact in Memphis significantly raise the price. Ultimately, the Celtics aim to make a splash in the market, but prying either of these two big men away from their respective teams seems like a very challenging task.