Boston Celtics
The Celtics reportedly are unlikely to take “big swings” ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Nets center Nic Claxton could help the Celtics solve their big man problems. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
January 31, 2026 | 5:04 PM
5 minutes to read
The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and it appears the Celtics will do something. But we still don’t know what.
Most reports in recent weeks have indicated that the Celtics are seeking to make an addition to their roster rather than take a seller’s approach ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. But ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst cautioned that the Celtics are unlikely to take “big swings” in the coming days.
If that’s the case, you can likely rule Grizzlies star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. out as a potential target for the Celtics. Clippers standout center Ivica Zubac might also fall into that category, considering some of the All-Star buzz he received last season.
So, which players could the Celtics add that aren’t considered a big swing? Let’s take a look at seven candidates while considering Boston’s need for a big man and its status as a team in the first luxury tax apron.
Nic Claxton, C, Nets
Claxton might be overqualified to be on this list, but he hasn’t been discussed as much as Zubac or Jackson. So, we’ll include him on here for now.
Claxton, 26, is one of the stronger defensive bigs in the league. He finished top-10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting just three years ago, and has ranked in the top-15 in blocks per game over the last four years.
Offensively, Claxton has averaged 12.3 points and a surprising 4.1 points per game this season. But if he were in Boston, Claxton would almost certainly take a step back and become more of a rim-running big.
The Celtics have inquired about potentially trading for Claxton, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. A trade for Claxton would likely require the Celtics giving up Anfernee Simons, though, as the Nets’ big man makes $25.3 million this season.
Daniel Gafford, C, Mavericks
Gafford helped give a defensive spark to the Mavericks when they traded for him ahead of the 2024 deadline, but his role has diminished in Dallas in recent weeks. Still, Gafford would be a worthwhile addition for the Celtics as he’s averaging 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season.
The only roadblock in getting a deal done for Gafford is that both the Celtics and Mavericks are in the first luxury tax apron. So, it wouldn’t be a one-for-one swap, and both teams would likely need to add multiple players in order to get the deal done thanks to Gafford’s $14.4 million salary this season. Gafford’s also under contract for three more seasons, so the Celtics might have to sweeten the pot a bit.
Keon Ellis, G, Kings
Ellis is the only non-big man on our list, as the Celtics are among the handful of teams interested in the Kings’ guard, according to Fischer.
Even though the Celtics don’t necessarily need guard help, it’s easy to see why they might be interested in Ellis. The fourth-year player has shown promise on both ends of the floor, making 41.6 percent of his career 3-pointers and he’s averaging 1.1 steals in 17.6 minutes per game this season. Ellis has put up 5.6 points per game this year.
Ellis is making just $2.3 million this year, which is the final year of his current deal. Matching salaries won’t be tough, but considering how well Ellis plays on that salary, there’s seemingly plenty of competition to get him.
Yyves Missi, C, Pelicans
The Celtics have been recently linked to Missi, a 21-year-old center that the Pelicans want a first-round pick for if they were to trade him, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported.
Missi, who’s in his second season, has been a standout for the Pelicans in his young career. While he’s averaging just 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Missi’s 1.3 blocks in 19 minutes per game is a pretty impressive mark. Scotto noted that teams are intrigued by Missi’s frame and shot-blocking ability as he stands at 6-foot-11.
Trading for Missi would be one of the easier moves the Celtics could make, at least from a salary standpoint. Missi’s making just over $3 million this season, a salary the Celtics can match without having to give up a core player.
Day’Ron Sharpe, C, Nets
It seems like every notable player on the Nets’ roster might be on the trading block ahead of the deadline. That includes Sharpe, who’s averaging eight points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season.
Sharpe has shown potential to be a plus player on the defensive as well. He’s actually averaging 1.1 steals in 18 minutes per game this season, which is nearly the same number of steals that Derrick White’s averaging this season.
The Celtics should be able to match Sharpe’s $6.25 million salary in any potential trade. The question would be if they would want to give up multiple players they’ve drafted in recent years, as the easiest way to get a trade for Sharpe done.
Andre Drummond, C, 76ers
If the Celtics want to ensure that rebounding is never an issue for them, trading for Drummond might be the way to go. The veteran is having another standout season on the boards, averaging 8.7 rebounds in just 19.6 minutes per game.
Of course, there’s more to the game than rebounding, and Drummond doesn’t offer much beyond that. However, he has made a career-high 17 3-pointers already this season, so maybe he’s auditioning for a spot on the Celtics’ roster?
Jokes aside, Drummond would be another easier player for the Celtics to trade for. He’s making $5 million this year, so matching salaries is more feasible.
Isaiah Jackson, F, Pacers
Another player the Celtics could go after to strengthen their rebounding is Jackson. While Jackson’s averaging 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, his 4.9 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes is the ninth-best mark in the league.
Jackson was also one of the game’s better shot blockers prior to tearing his Achilles last season. He was in the top-10 blocks per 100 possessions in the two seasons prior to that.
Jackson is under contract for two more seasons and is making $7.6 million this season. So, getting a deal done might be a little more difficult as the Celtics would likely have to send a few players to the Pacers in order to get a deal done.
Goga Bitadze, C, Magic
Bitadze has a bit of a similar profile as Jackson, with his metrics indicating that he’s a stronger offensive rebounder and shot blocker than his per game numbers might suggest. Bitadze has been in the top 15 in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes and 100 possessions in each of the last three seasons, including this year. His 1.2 blocks per game is the 20th-best mark in the league this season, also ranking in the top 10 in blocks per 100 possessions in the last three years.
The 26-year-old has reduced his range as his career has progressed. So, he’s not stretching the floor much offensively, but he’s shooting 67.6 percent from the field this season as he’s averaging 5.9 points in 16.4 minutes per game.
Bitadze is making $8.3 million this season and is under contract for next year. Considering that, a trade package for Bitadze might look similar to a potential trade package for Jackson.
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