Celtics Predicted To Land Center Before Trade Deadline

On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey predicted that the Boston Celtics will land a center before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Bailey also predicted that Boston won’t duck the luxury tax.

“Lowering your payroll by just over $12 million in the middle of the season is no small feat,” Bailey wrote of the Celtics. “The most obvious candidate for another cost-cutting move, Anfernee Simons, is averaging double figures … And most importantly, Jaylen Brown’s All-NBA-caliber campaign has completely shifted the perception of this Boston campaign.”

“This no longer feels like a gap year,” Bailey continued. “It’s not close, actually. The Celtics are within striking distance of the East’s top seed. And if Jayson Tatum is back before the playoffs, this team could have a realistic shot at another championship.”

“Unloading talent for little more than pocketbook relief doesn’t make sense for a contender. In fact, Boston has been good enough to justify the opposite. And it sounds like they could be looking for a big man,” Bailey added. He then noted that ESPN’s Shams Charania has recently speculated that Brad Stevens will add a big man to the roster.

“With players like Day’Ron Sharpe, Nicolas Claxton, Nikola Vučević or maybe even Domantas Sabonis potentially on the market, the Celtics should have some intriguing options at that spot.”