Celtics Trade Pitch Lands Them Elite Rim Protector

The Boston Celtics find themselves navigating a challenging offseason with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury. The mass exodus of talent — Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis all departing, plus Al Horford reportedly heading to Golden State — has left Boston with a glaring hole at center.

A potential solution, proposed by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, has emerged that makes too much sense to ignore: a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat that would bring Walker Kessler, a promising 24-year-old rim protector, to Boston.

The Proposed Trade

Celtics Receive:

• Walker Kessler (from Jazz)

• $27.7 million trade exception

   

Jazz Receive:

• Terry Rozier (from Heat)

• Jaime Jaquez Jr. (from Heat)

• Neemias Queta (from Celtics)

• 2026 protected first-round pick (from Celtics)

• 2026 second-round pick (from Celtics)

• Draft capital and cash considerations

Heat Receive:

• Anfernee Simons (from Celtics)

• Draft rights and trade exceptions

Celtics Could Save Nearly $100 Million

These roster moves have already reduced Boston’s payroll from a potential $500 million to approximately $280 million. With luxury tax penalties set to increase for repeat offenders in the 2025-26 season, the proposed trade would provide further financial flexibility while addressing their center position needs.

For the Celtics, this deal offers a potential $100 million in savings — and a long-term anchor in Kessler, whose age and contract align with Boston’s core of Jaylen Brown (28) and a recovering Tatum (27). With Derrick White and Payton Pritchard already solidified in the backcourt, Kessler helps fill the void left by Porziņģis and Horford.

Kessler provides the defensive anchor the Celtics need at the rim — something they’ll sorely miss with the departures of Porziņģis and potentially Horford.

Why Kessler Makes Sense for the Celtics

Kessler’s shot-blocking and rebounding prowess make him an ideal fit in Boston’s defense-first identity. He averaged 2.4 blocks per game in just 23 minutes during his rookie year. Even now, he remains one of the NBA’s best young paint protectors.

Additionally, he’s extension-eligible. That gives the Celtics an opportunity to lock him in as part of a sustainable, long-term core. With Tatum expected to return in 2026, this move would help Boston stay competitive — while also setting the table for another title push down the line.

If executed, the trade would give Boston a balanced and versatile core: Tatum, Brown, White, Pritchard, and Kessler. That group would be built on defense, spacing, and high-IQ play. On top of that, the added financial wiggle room could help Boston pursue key role players in future offseasons. It’s the kind of move that could define the next chapter of Celtics basketball.