18 Boston Celtics big man targets (and the tools to get them) graded
The Celtics need help in their frontcourt after an early postseason exit at the hands of the 76ers. What are the realistic options?
The Boston Celtics need some help in their frontcourt rotation after an early postseason exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers . With it looking unlikely for vet big man Nikola Vucevic to return for a major role with the team if at all, the first round postseason defeat showed that while Neemias Queta and Luka Garza can be an important part of Boston's frontcourt of the future, they are also not ready to run it. Thankfully for the Celtics, the same moves that likely hurt their playoff efficacy also has given them some tools to add a player to the roster apart from simply making the dollar-for-dollar or less deals being a second apron ball club limited them to last offseason.
So let's take a look at the field of options with at least a small chance of being pried from their current contexts based on where their 2026-27 salary falls among those tools, with a combined grade on their fit in terms of play style, contract length and size, and age curve for Boston of great, good, acceptable, and poor. We won't speculate on the cost in trades for an exercise this expansive, but it should give you the framework with which to construct such hypothetical deals. Anfernee Simons Traded Player Exception (TPE) - 27.
7 million Can be used to trade deadline - cannot be aggregated, can be used to take in several players Draymond Green (GSW) - $27. 6m Fit - acceptable; bad fit in terms of age, but style fits, short deal, Myles Turner (MIL) - $26. 5m Fit - poor; long deal, questionable production vs.
cost Nic Claxton (BKY) - $23. 1m Fit - good; age, contract length a plus, play style not seamless PJ Washington (DAL) - $19. 8m Fit - great; age, play style, contract length all very good fit - size a minor concern Jakob Poeltl (TOR) - $19.