The Boston Celtics are sitting third in the Eastern Conference, a position few expected entering a season widely viewed as their bridge year.
That strong start has begun to clarify how the front office may approach the NBA Trade Deadline. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Boston is expected to spend time exploring the center market in the coming weeks, in response to a frontcourt that has thinned following recent departures.
That report has already fueled speculation around several familiar names, including Ivica Zubac, Daniel Gafford, and Nic Claxton, but not all of those options appear realistic.
One name, floated by Fansided’s Jack Simone is former three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney. The New Orleans Pelicans big man is set to become trade-eligible, and his contract situation makes him an intriguing name for the Celtics to monitor.
Why the Celtics’ Center Search Is Taking Shape
Earlier in the season, the assumption around the league was that the Celtics would largely stand pat unless a clean path below the luxury tax emerged. That thinking has shifted as Boston has continued to win games.
The roster has held up better than expected, but the need is still evident. After losing Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford, Boston lacks proven depth at the center position. Even with Neemias Queta’s breakout year so far, the options behind him remain unproven.
The Celtics are not searching for a star. They are searching for stability.
That distinction matters when evaluating the types of names being linked to Boston.
Why Kevon Looney Fits the Profile
GettyKevon Looney formerly of the Golden State Warriors battles with Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics.
Looney does not enter this conversation as a long-term solution or a lineup-changing piece. He enters it as a role player with a very specific resume.
He is on a short-term deal with a team option, carries championship experience, and understands how to operate without touches. For a Celtics team that does not need offense from its center rotation, that skill set has value.
At his best, Looney has been a physical screener, an elite rebounder, and a reliable positional defender. Those traits played a meaningful role in Golden State’s 2022 title run, and they translate cleanly to what Boston typically asks from its bigs.
If the Celtics are prioritizing functionality over upside, Looney fits the description.
The Financial Layer Behind Any Celtics Deal
Any move Boston makes at the deadline is likely to be driven as much by finances as by basketball fit.
The Celtics remain mindful of the repeater tax and have shown a willingness to explore multi-team constructions that improve flexibility. In league-wide discussions, teams with cap space such as Brooklyn or Utah have been mentioned as potential facilitators in deals that allow Boston to shed salary while taking back a smaller contract.
In that context, Looney’s deal becomes appealing. He offers roster depth without compromising future maneuverability, and his team option adds another layer of control heading into the summer.
It would not be a flashy win. It would be a strategic one.
The Verdict for Boston
Kevon Looney becoming trade-eligible simply opens a door. Whether Boston walks through it will depend on price, structure, and timing.
The Celtics are not chasing stars at the deadline. They are managing timelines and finances.
If the Celtics do act, it is becoming increasingly clear what kind of deal they are willing to make.
Quiet. Calculated. And gearing up for their next championship window.
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