Celtics' Trade, NBA Free Agency Targets After Losing Giannis to Heat amid Jaylen Brown Rumors

After finishing as the runner-up in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Boston Celtics will go back to the drawing board ahead of free agency.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday night that the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to send Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round picks, one pick swap and one second-round pick.

Milwaukee reportedly chose that trade package over Boston's offer of Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks.

During an appearance Monday on the Pat McAfee Show, Charania said it was his belief that Brown is not on the trade block and was only made available in a potential trade for Giannis:

That means Boston still has a core of Brown, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, making a frontcourt addition via free agency or trade the team's biggest need and priority.

Here is a look at three players who could fit the bill for the Celtics this offseason and complement the existing core effectively.

Domantas Sabonis

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With Giannis off the board, the biggest fish potentially available to the Celtics may be Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported earlier this month that NBA executives expected Sabonis to be placed on the trade block by Sacramento.

It was later reported by Sam Amick of The Athletic that the Charlotte Hornets had engaged in trade talks with the Kings, and Sabonis was the main focus.

Amick noted that there was nothing imminent between the Hornets and Kings, though, meaning another team such as the Celtics could potentially throw themselves into the mix.

The 30-year-old Sabonis is a three-time All-Star and one of the most versatile big men in the NBA.

Over the past seven seasons, he boasts averages of 19.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, while shooting 57.4 percent from the field.

The 6'10" Sabonis also won three consecutive rebounding titles from 2023 to 2025, making him a perfect fit in Boston since Neemias Queta was the only pure center or power forward who averaged more than 6.6 rebounds per game for the Celtics last season.

Sabonis is coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to 19 games and saw him average his fewest points per game (15.8) since the 2018-19 campaign, but that could be a good thing for the Celtics in terms of suppressing his trade value to some degree.

Walker Kessler

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If the Celtics seek a younger albeit potentially more expensive center option than Sabonis, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz could be their man.

The 7'2" center does not turn 25 until next month, and he should be fresh, coming off a 2025-26 season in which he played only five games due to shoulder surgery.

Kessler is a restricted free agent, and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported last week that it is possible he is taking steps toward "pushing his way" out of Utah.

Utah has reportedly offered Kessler a five-year deal worth approximately $140 million, but he has yet to accept, and ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that there is a "gulf" between Kessler and the Jazz currently.

Since going 22nd overall in the 2022 NBA draft and getting dealt from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert trade, Kessler has established himself as one of the best, young, defensive centers in the league.

In his last mostly healthy season in 2024-25, Kessler set what were then career highs with 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.7 assists per game.

While the sample size was small, Kessler was well on his way to a career year through five games last season, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 boards, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals, while shooting 70.3 percent from the field.

Kessler could do a ton of the dirty work in the paint to open things up for Tatum, Brown and White, but it is fair to wonder if Boston has the assets to make a trade for Kessler happen, and if they are willing or able to give him the contract he desires.

Robert Williams III

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Perhaps the most realistic center option for the Celtics this season is a player who they are already quite familiar with.

The Celtics selected Robert Williams III 27th overall in the 2018 NBA draft, and he spent his first five NBA seasons in Boston before getting traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line as part of a Bleacher Report live stream on Monday, the Celtics have "looked at a reunion" with Williams.

Still just 28 years of age, Williams is about to hit unrestricted free agency, and he is among the best pure centers available.

For most of his career, Williams has played less than 20 minutes per game, with the exception of two seasons.

The biggest exception came during the 2021-22 season in Boston when he started all 61 games he played in and set career highs across the board with 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists and 29.6 minutes played per game.

Williams was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team that season, and he finished seventh in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting.

In three seasons with the Blazers, Williams never averaged more than 19.8 minutes per game, and his overall production suffered as a result.

Williams was still effective when utilized, though, averaging 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes per contest last season.

Having Williams split time with Queta would give the Celtics a strong center duo and allow both of them to remain fresh and healthy, plus they would not have to give up any assets to acquire him, unlike Sabonis and Kessler.