Jason Burgos
The Boston Celtics had a much better showing in 2025-26 than anyone expected. They entered this season with far lower expectations because there were no guarantees that top star Jayson Tatum would even suit up as he recovered from a torn Achilles incurred last spring. However, an MVP-caliber season from Jaylen Brown and a defense that gave up a league-leading 107.2 points a game shockingly landed them the No. 2 seed in the East playoffs.
With Tatum returning in March and looking impressive right away, the Celtics began the postseason as the favorites to reach the NBA Finals. However, despite having a 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, they were surprisingly eliminated in the opening round for the first time since the bubble playoffs.
Their first-round ouster creates a lot of questions about the structure of this team. Can they be a Finals contender trying to piece together a roster around two players with supermax contracts? Is just making the playoffs every year enough? If the goal is competing for champions, the Celtics need to make some big changes.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five bold trades the Celtics could make this summer.
Jaylen Brown for Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jacquez Jr., and First Round Picks in 2028, 2030 & 2032
If the Celtics decide they need to move one of those supermax contracts, Brown will probably be the odd man out despite being an MVP candidate. But if they ever were to trade him, now would be the perfect time because his value is as high as it will ever be.
If there is one obvious weakness for Boston, it is in the front court. If they trade Brown, they still have strong core talent in Tatum and Derrick White. That is why Miami Heat great Bam Adebayo could be a trade target. He would give them both a defensive force on the front line and a good scorer to help fill the point void from losing Brown.
A deal that sends Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and two future first-round picks should get a deal done.
Jaylen Brown for Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Two First Picks, Including Lottery Selection in June
Another potential target to bolster the front court could be three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. While the Sacramento Kings star isn’t a defensive force, he is an elite rebounder and can stretch the floor just like Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford did in the past.
To make the money work, the Celtics would need to take on the two years and $41 million left on Malik Monk’s contract. But if they get first-rounders back in the deal, including the Kings’ lottery pick in June, that’s fine. The biggest issue is that Sacramento must find trades for either Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan after a deal.
Derrick White for Jakob Poeltl and Grady Dick
The Celtics don’t have to trade Brown to get better in 2026-27. However, it would mean they have to move fan-favorite defensive ace, Derrick White. A potential trade could see the two-time All-Defensive Team honoree sent to the Toronto Raptors for center Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick.
While it isn’t a sexy trade on the surface, Poeltl is a rock-solid and sound anchor in the front court who does everything you need to stabilize that position. As for Dick, he may be a potential steal that could be an impact player in Joe Mazzulla’s three-point-heavy offense.
Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Since Brown did have such an impressive season, another option would be a swap for Milwaukee Bucks great Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Greek icon has more accolades, Brown is a couple of years younger and has been far healthier than the 10-time All-Star in recent years. If they must, the Celtics can add a future first-rounder, but they shouldn’t have to add more than that.
The Bucks would get a new star in his prime to build around, while the Celtics can experiment with the combo of Antetokounmpo and Tatum for a season. If it doesn’t work, they free up a ton of cap space after next season if he opts out in search of a new long-term deal.
Jaylen Brown for Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Two First Round Picks
An intriguing young star that could be on the trade block this summer, and who addresses the Celtics’ frontcourt needs, is Houston Rockets two-time All-Star Alperen Sengun. While he was questioned for his play down the stretch and early in the playoffs, he is still only 23 and excelled in Ime Udoka’s defense-first system.
Houston would be interested in the championship upside of pairing Jaylen Brown with Kevin Durant in 2026-27. But Sengun and Tatum have a lot of long-term potential. Furthermore, to make the money work, the Celtics would get veteran guard Fred VanVleet (if he opts into the final year of his deal) and two future first-round picks.
