Jason Burgos
Heading into the 2026 playoffs, NBA pundits were proclaiming that the Boston Celtics were the team to beat in the East. They had one of the best records in the conference. Jaylen Brown was an MVP candidate. And Jayson Tatum was looking like the all-world player he was before suffering a ruptured Achilles last spring. Then, after having a 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round, they ended up on the wrong end of one of the biggest postseason collapses in franchise history.
It is why the team has reportedly considered a bold trade for Milwaukee Bucks icon Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, in recent days, it seems like a deal isn’t likely. Nevertheless, the Celtics should consider bold ideas to alter the roster this summer to better compete with the champion New York Knicks and other elite NBA teams next season.
With that in mind, we look at five trades Boston could pivot to if a deal for Antetokounmpo does fail to materialize.
Trade Derrick White for Isaiah Hartenstein
One of the biggest needs the Celtics have is in the front court. Since the departures of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis last year, they have lacked playmakers on both sides of the ball at the center spot. While Oklahoma City Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein is nowhere close to the offensive players that Porzingis and Horford are, he is a good finisher around the basket and a strong passer.
However, he brings the defensive grit up front that they haven’t had since Robert Williams, and he is a top-notch rebounder. Another statistic Boston must improve next season. Swapping Derrick White for Hartenstein could interest both teams and also works money-wise.
Give up two future first-round picks for Trey Murphy III
New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter Trey Murphy III is one of the most sought-after players on the trade block right now. And according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Boston is one of the teams interested in acquiring his services. The forward is only 26 and has been steadily improving the last two seasons to where he is now a legit 20-plus point scorer each year.
Murphy would not get the Celtics the rim protector and power rebounder they could use, but adding him to a roster with Brown and Tatum gives them a starting five that will be very hard for teams to match up with.
Jaylen Brown for Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and a first-round pick
There have been rumblings that Brown would be moved in any deal for Antetokounmpo. However, trading the 2025-26 MVP candidate is something the Celtics should consider, even if they don’t get the Bucks legend, because his value has never been higher. And they are in a tough spot financially with two super max contracts.
Brown could fetch a strong return in any trade, and one option would be sending him to the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and a future first-round pick. While the Kings would need to move either DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, they would get new hope by having Brown and whoever they take at No. 7 in the NBA Draft. For the Celtics, they get an elite rebounder who can stretch the floor, a high-level bench scorer, and a premium pick in a future draft.
Swap Derrick White for Julius Randle
In the same report about the Celtics’ interest in Murphy, Amick revealed that the Minnesota Timberwolves have “strong interest” in fan-favorite Derrick White. While the team would prefer to keep White, he is one of the better trade chips they have. A straight-up swap for three-time All-Star Julius Randle works financially. The veteran forward would give Boston a talented rebounder, ball handler, and a big man who can stretch the floor, which they lacked last season.
Trade Jaylen Brown for Alperen Sengun & Fred VanVleet
An intriguing young star that could be available, 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 of the regular season and 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 Brown with Kevin Durant in 2026-27. For the Celtics, Sengun and Tatum have a lot of long-term potential. Furthermore, to make the money work, the Celtics could get veteran guard Fred VanVleet (if he opts into the final year of his deal) and a future first-round pick.
