Celtics Rumors: Boston Seeking Wing, Big-Man Upgrades Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Boston Celtics may shuffle their roster ahead of this season's NBA trade deadline. 

According to The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, "league sources have long said Boston is searching for upgrades to bolster its wing and big-man position." He added that "multiple executives around the league" believe the Celtics are "up to something."

The Celtics have had a mediocre start to the season, at least by their standards, going 12-10 (.545) after a 48-24 (.667) campaign. Luckily for them that's still good enough for fourth in the Eastern Conference at the moment, rendering a so-so start less impactful. 

Upgrading at wing makes sense for just about every team in the NBA, given the importance of the position. It would almost assuredly be for depth purposes with the team's excellent starting options in Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart. But you can never have enough solid wings in the NBA, and the Celtics are feeling the effects of Gordon Hayward's departure in free agency this offseason.

Upgrading its bigs makes even more sense, where players like Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis aren't bad but will do little to slow down the league's elite centers like Joel Embiid come the postseason. Neither is particularly adept at protecting the rim or blocking shots either, and the Celtics have largely missed a defensive anchor at the position since Al Horford left in 2019.  

Granted, some of Boston's issues will resolve themselves once point guard Kemba Walker (15.9 PPG, 4.0 APG) gets back into a groove following a knee injury. Walker is shooting just 35.7 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three—those numbers are 6 percent worse than his career averages and should improve as the season progresses. 

The Celtics have Tatum and Brown to hold down the scoring until Walker gets his mojo back. But it's pretty clear these Celtics aren't title contenders as currently constructed. Improving their depth at the wing and center positions would go a long way to improving those odds.