The Boston Celtics have shocked everyone with how well they’ve done this year, when they were written off after Jayson Tatum tore his achilles in the 2025 playoffs. And with Tatum’s imminent return, they need to fill their hole at center.
Fansided’s Eamon Cassels proposed that the C’s make a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, and deal for star center Nic Claxton.
The trade would look like this:
Celtics get: C Nic Claxton
Nets get: G Anfernee Simons, 2026 first-rounder, two future second-rounders
“The Boston Celtics have been one of the best stories in the league, and they could make another deep playoff run with Jayson Tatum's return on the horizon. Nevertheless, the center rotation isn't championship caliber…Given Nic Claxton's immense two-way value and Simons' need for a new contract, I do think Boston would have to give up picks. Regardless, I think that price would be worth it, as it would increase the Celtics' title chances significantly. Claxton's interior defense, playmaking, and rim-running abilities make him a perfect fit in Boston,” Cassels wrote.
So far this season, Claxton is averaging 12.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, four assists, and 1.4 blocks in 29.8 minutes per game. As Cassels noted, he is a defensive presence in the middle, and a good playmaker for his size as well.
However, the Celtics’ current starter, Neemias Queta, operates pretty much at the same level. He’s averaging 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. He also is $90 million cheaper than Claxton, so if the C’s are going to upgrade from him, they need to get someone clearly better.
Finally, Simons has become the sparkplug off the bench, so getting a true star is probably the only thing that could move him. Overall, this would be a good trade to keep in the back pocket, in case they can’t land another true star center.
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