The Boston Celtics enter the 2025-26 season with a mind to retool the roster. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury and both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis already shipped out in trades, Brad Stevens and the front office are reshaping the roster on the fly.
What was once a championship group now looks more like a team preparing for the long haul, focusing on more forward-thinking moves. The Celtics still boast elite talent in Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but the uncertainty around their frontcourt leaves a massive question: who will anchor the middle?
Currently, Neemias Queta (5.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG in 13.9 MPG) projects as Boston’s starting center, a capable big man, but not the long-term solution for a franchise with championship aspirations. That’s why the Celtics could look to the trade market, where a creative deal with the Brooklyn Nets presents a path to both stability and upside.
With Brooklyn undergoing a complete rebuild, the opportunity for a mutually beneficial swap is present, involving the talented Nic Claxton. For Boston, a trade with Brooklyn will be about securing a cornerstone piece that can grow alongside Tatum once he returns and help keep the Celtics in the championship conversation. Let’s dive into the trade.
Proposed Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Anfernee Simons, 2026 first-round pick (BOS), 2026 second-round pick (BOS)
Boston Celtics Lose A Weak Defender For A New Starting Center
The Celtics’ biggest challenge heading into the 2025-26 season is balancing their short-term competitiveness with long-term championship goals. Neemias Queta, while serviceable in spurts, simply doesn’t fit the bill as a long-term starting center.
He lacks the defensive presence and switchability that Boston has relied on in recent years, with Robert Williams and Kristaps Porzingis anchoring the paint. Opponents consistently targeted Queta in pick-and-roll situations last season, and while he provides some rebounding and energy, his defensive limitations stand out in high-leverage moments.
By making this trade, Boston would be moving on from a weak link and addressing their most glaring hole with a player who can immediately step into a starting role. Nic Claxton, athletic, versatile, and capable of defending multiple coverages (10.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG in 26.9 MPG), would give the Celtics a presence they’ve been missing since Williams’ departure.
More importantly, he’d provide rim protection and rebounding that fit perfectly with the defensive identity Joe Mazzulla has built around his wings and guards. This stabilizing presence could also give Brown and White more freedom to gamble defensively, and that could be scary for the rest of the league.
Offensively, the new addition would also bring balance to a roster that’s leaned heavily on perimeter scoring. Claxton is an excellent pick-and-roll partner, can finish lobs, and is improving his mid-range game. He isn’t a go-to offensive player yet, but he is a presence in the middle at least.
In essence, the Celtics would be turning a positional weakness into a legitimate strength, something that could keep them competitive even as they endure a year without their superstar.
Brooklyn Nets Add A Talented Scorer And Picks To Rebuilding Group
From the Nets’ perspective, this deal is about stockpiling assets and leaning into their rebuild. Brooklyn has made it clear they’re no longer chasing quick fixes after the Durant-Irving-Harden era fell apart. They might even be close to moving talented scorer Cam Thomas in free agency, as well.
By moving off a center who may not align with their timeline, they can add a young scorer with real offensive upside, plus the draft capital needed to rebuild organically. The Nets need picks, so acquiring an FRP and SRP is certainly not the worst thing in the world.
Anfernee Simons (19.3 PPG, 4.8 APG in 32.7 MPG) would immediately slot into Brooklyn’s rotation, offering shot creation that the team has lacked since trading away its stars. He can get his own bucket, create off the dribble, and complement the younger pieces already in place. Simons also replaces Cam Thomas, should the Nets decide to move on from him.
Equally important are the draft picks Boston would send in this trade. Even if they end up being late in the first round, the Nets need as many swings as possible to restock their talent pool. Having extra draft capital also gives Brooklyn options. For a franchise with limited direction just a year ago, this kind of forward-thinking move helps solidify their long-term plan.
A Clever Trade For Both Teams, But Especially For The Celtics
In many ways, this trade feels like the rare deal where both sides can walk away happy. The Celtics gain the defensive anchor they desperately need, while the Nets secure more scoring and the future assets they crave.
Still, there’s no denying that the Celtics would be the slightly bigger winners here. They’re potentially landing a long-term center who could be a foundational piece alongside Jayson Tatum once he returns from injury. Adding a player of that caliber without sacrificing one of their cornerstone stars is exactly the kind of shrewd move that has defined Brad Stevens’ tenure in the front office.
It keeps Boston in the mix this year while positioning them even better for the future. While the Nets would benefit in their long-term play, the Celtics would walk away with the clearest identity and the best chance to remain relevant in the championship conversation.
