The Boston Celtics are entering the 2025-26 season with some obstacles. With Jayson Tatum sidelined as he recovers from a torn Achilles, Boston’s championship window suddenly looks far less certain. The front office faces the delicate task of keeping the team competitive in the short term while also preserving its long-term core for when Tatum returns. One bold option? Targeting Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.
Proposed Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: Walker Kessler
Utah Jazz Receive: Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, 2026 first-round pick (BOS), 2026 second-round pick (BOS), 2031 second-round pick (BOS)
Kessler, who will hit free agency after this season, brings elite rim protection and rebounding, exactly what Boston needs to stabilize its revamped starting lineup. The cost won’t be light, with a package centered around Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, one first-round pick, and two second-rounders. But if the Celtics want to remain in the playoff hunt now and set up a dominant defensive foundation for the future, this gamble might be worth taking.
Let’s break down why this proposal works for both sides and why it could give Boston the lifeline it needs this season, while also keeping the Jazz focused on their long-term goals.
Boston Celtics Acquire Their New Center For Foreseeable Future
For the Boston Celtics, the addition of Walker Kessler (11.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.4 BPG) represents a play to solidify their frontcourt for years to come. With Tatum sidelined this season, the team needs a defensive anchor who can buy them time and keep them competitive. Kessler’s size, rim protection, and ability to control the paint give Boston a legitimate presence down low, something they will lack with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford gone.
Boston understands the stakes. By sacrificing a package of role players and draft picks, the Celtics are essentially betting on Kessler’s long-term upside. At just 24 years old, he still hasn’t fully reached his ceiling, and pairing him with Boston’s established stars could unlock a higher level of play. This deal secures a defensive cornerstone who can be part of the franchise’s foundation for the next decade.
And once Jayson Tatum returns, the Celtics’ vision becomes clear. Kessler doesn’t need touches to impact winning, which makes him a perfect complement to Boston’s high-usage wings and guards. His ability to protect the rim, clean up the glass, and set hard screens creates balance for a team that thrives on spacing and perimeter firepower. Boston is essentially building for the short and long-term and Kessler fits that timeline.
Utah Jazz Cash In On A Player They Might Lose
From Utah’s perspective, the calculus is straightforward: they risk losing Walker Kessler for nothing in free agency. While the Jazz value Kessler’s defensive ability, there have been whispers of fit concerns as the team continues to prioritize flexibility and spacing. Rather than entering a summer of uncertainty, Utah turns its value into draft capital and young depth right now.
The package may not be headlined by a star, but Neemias Queta (5.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG) and Sam Hauser (8.5 PPG on 41.6% 3-PT FG) give Utah inexpensive, controllable pieces. Hauser, in particular, offers elite three-point shooting that fits seamlessly into a modern offense, while Queta provides frontcourt depth that can be developed in their system. More importantly, the inclusion of a first-round pick and two second-rounders adds to Danny Ainge’s growing war chest of draft assets, which the Jazz have made a priority since beginning their rebuild.
This deal also buys Utah long-term flexibility. Kessler’s impending free agency could have led to a contract negotiation that didn’t align with the team’s broader timeline. By cashing out now, the Jazz gain assets that can either be used to move up in future drafts or packaged for another high-ceiling player down the line.
Celtics Have A Dominant Starting Lineup Moving Forward
Starting Lineup: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Walker Kessler
Once Tatum is back in uniform, the Celtics’ projected starting five looks like one of the most complete units in the NBA. Payton Pritchard provides steady floor generalship and outside shooting, Derrick White continues to be one of the most underrated two-way guards in basketball, Jaylen Brown brings elite scoring and defense on the wing, and Tatum is an MVP-caliber superstar.
Adding Kessler to that mix rounds out the lineup with a defensive specialist who doesn’t need offensive volume to thrive. Boston’s identity becomes crystal clear: there’ll be a nightmare on both ends. Kessler and White form an elite defensive backbone, allowing Brown and Tatum to focus on offense without sacrificing team coverage.
On the other end, the spacing remains intact, with Pritchard, White, and Tatum all capable shooters who can punish defenses for collapsing on Brown. Kessler’s role is to screen, roll, rebound, and finish, which is a role he’s tailor-made for in Boston’s offense.
This vision is what makes the risk worthwhile. Even without Tatum this season, Boston would remain a playoff-caliber team anchored by Brown, White, and Kessler. Then, when Tatum returns, the Celtics could immediately rejoin the ranks of the NBA’s elite with a refreshed lineup that blends star power, shooting, and elite defense. With Kessler in place, the Celtics have the pieces for another run at a championship sooner rather than later.
