3 Potential Trade Targets for the Boston Celtics Entering 2025-26 NBA Season

Because of this, the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Georges Niang and they also allowed Luke Kornet and likely Al Horford to walk in free agency.

By making these moves, Boston has been able to get under the second apron and they should still be a solid team in the Eastern Conference this season behind their core of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.

Despite this, the Celtics could also look to make more moves ahead of the trade deadline and these three players could be potential trade targets for them.

Walker Kessler

Walker Kessler has been in trade rumors over the last few seasons, though it has been reported that the Utah Jazz have an extremely high asking price for him.

Despite this, Boston could look to make a move for the young center as they are in desperate need of frontcourt help after trading Porzingis and likely letting Horford walk in free agency.

For Kessler, he would give the Celtics a great rebounder and defender and he is also a reliable inside scorer who would become a key piece to their future, especially once Tatum returns next season.

DeMar DeRozan

If the Celtics do want to try and make a deep playoff run this season despite being without Tatum, they could look to land another star in DeMar DeRozan.

With the Sacramento Kings likely to be battling for a Play-In spot once again this season, DeRozan could be available ahead of the trade deadline and it may not cost Boston a ton to acquire him.

The veteran forward would give the Celtics a reliable scorer and veteran leader who could be a solid fit next to Brown and potentially even Tatum whenever he returns next season, though they may elect to hold off due to DeRozan’s contract.

Nick Richards

With the Celtics in desperate need of frontcourt depth, they could target Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards.

Of course, Phoenix added both Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach this summer, leaving Richards as the likely third option at the center position which could lead to him being available ahead of the deadline.

The 27-year-old center would give Boston a reliable scorer, rebounder and defender who could become a key piece of their future due to his age and it would also likely not cost them much to land him.

While Boston could elect to make trades for these three players, they could also look elsewhere to upgrade their roster, though it will be tough for them to compete for a title this season due to Tatum’s injury.