![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2203527319-e1769278713162.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla stands in a huddle with Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Derrick White. <\/p>\n
What was widely expected to be a transitional season for the Boston Celtics<\/a> has turned into something far more compelling.<\/p>\n With Jayson Tatum<\/a> sidelined by an Achilles injury, Boston was viewed around the league as a likely deadline seller \u2014 a team content to tread water while eyeing the future. Instead, the Celtics have surged into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference, forcing a dramatic recalibration of their plans ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA<\/a> trade deadline.<\/p>\n Sitting near the top of the East behind MVP-caliber play from Jaylen Brow<\/a>n and the steady two-way excellence of Derrick White<\/a>, the Celtics suddenly look like buyers. And league insiders say Boston is actively exploring ways to add one missing piece: a legitimate starting center.<\/p>\n Celtics\u2019 Frontcourt Void Remains After Porzingis, Horford Departures<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s offseason overhaul left a noticeable gap in the middle.<\/p>\n The departures of Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> and Al Horford<\/a> stripped the Celtics of both rim protection and offensive versatility, placing unexpected responsibility on Neemias Queta<\/a>, who has exceeded expectations. Queta is posting career highs across the board \u2014 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game \u2014 and has been a stabilizing presence.<\/p>\n But internally, the Celtics know Queta is best cast as a rotation big rather than a championship-level anchor.<\/p>\n As a result, Boston had been eyeing several centers around the league, including Ivica Zubac<\/a> (Clippers), Daniel Gafford<\/a> (Mavericks<\/a>), and Nic Claxton<\/a> or Day\u2019Ron Sharpe<\/a> (Nets). Yet one name drawing particular attention would represent a seismic swing.<\/p>\n Celtics Emerge as Potential Suitor for Jaren Jackson Jr. GettyMemphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. celebrates after a playoff win.<\/p>\n According to HoopsHype\u2019s Michael Scotto, the Celtics are among the teams that have registered interest in Memphis Grizzlies<\/a> All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking on SNY\u2019s \u201cThe Putback,\u201d Scotto explained that while Memphis has publicly framed Jackson as a franchise pillar, league executives believe the calculus could change depending on the Grizzlies\u2019 direction if they successfully trade Ja Morant<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got the Boston Celtics,\u201d Scotto said<\/a>. \u201cYou\u2019ve got the Detroit Pistons<\/a>. And there are other teams out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Jackson, the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, remains in the prime of his career and would instantly transform Boston\u2019s defense. He\u2019s averaging 18.9 points, shooting 36.3% from three, while adding 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.<\/p>\n Even without Tatum, Jackson\u2019s rim protection and spacing would vault Boston into legitimate contention. With Tatum\u2019s eventual return, the ceiling rises considerably.<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s Potential Trade Package<\/p>\n Boston can assemble a competitive package using expiring salary, including Anfernee Simons\u2019 $27.7 million deal and Sam Hauser\u2019s $10 million contract, along with two first-round picks (2026 or 2027 and 2031).<\/p>\n From a pure basketball standpoint, Jackson fits cleanly. Financially, however, the picture is far more complicated.<\/p>\n The CBA Reality: Second Apron and Luxury Tax Consequences<\/p>\n Jackson earns $35 million this season, making a deadline trade feasible. But his five-year, $240 million extension kicks in aggressively, pushing his salary to nearly $49 million by 2026\u201327.<\/p>\n That contract would immediately thrust the Celtics back above the second apron, reintroducing harsh restrictions under the new CBA \u2014 frozen draft picks, limited trade flexibility, and an inability to add anything beyond minimum contracts.<\/p>\n Worse still, Boston would be staring at a luxury tax bill approaching $100 million, reopening the door to repeater penalties the franchise worked diligently to avoid last season.<\/p>\n For president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, the question is existential:<\/p>\n Is Jackson worth surrendering financial flexibility, future maneuverability, and nine-figure tax exposure?<\/p>\n A Championship Question the Celtics Can No Longer Avoid<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s unexpected rise has removed the luxury of patience.<\/p>\n The Celtics are good \u2014 perhaps too good \u2014 to sit still. And with the East suddenly wide open, the front office must decide whether this season is merely a bridge\u2026 or an opportunity that demands bold action.<\/p>\n If Boston believes its championship window is open right now, then the conversation around Jaren Jackson Jr. becomes unavoidable \u2014 no matter the cost.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAlder Almo<\/a> is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Celtics\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla stands in a huddle with Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":255896,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[85,46,105],"class_list":{"0":"post-255895","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-il","9":"tag-israel","10":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=255895"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255895\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/255896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=255895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=255895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=255895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Jaren](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Jaren-Jackson-Jr-Grizz-Warriors.jpg\")
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