Zach Lowe maps out Celtics’ plans at NBA trade deadline

Boston Celtics

“I don’t know if they can buy and cut their tax bill at the same time.”

Brad Stevens preached patience last month when it came to the Celtics’ plans ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 5. 

But with Boston entering Wednesday’s game against the Pacers second in the Eastern Conference standings — and with Jayson Tatum getting closer to returning — longtime NBA insider Zach Lowe believes that the Celtics will be aggressive in the coming weeks to add to a team that has exceeded expectations. 

“All the rumblings around the league is that Boston is now going to buy,” Lowe said on his podcast. “I don’t know how that works. I don’t know if they can buy and cut their tax bill at the same time. The obvious place for them to buy would be up front where they could use another legit front-court player. But this team is clearly really good.”

One of the ways that the Celtics could add to their frontcourt while shedding salary is dealing away a guard on an expiring contract like Anfernee Simons. 

Simons, who commands a $27.6 million cap hit on the final year of his contract, could be flipped in a trade that allows Boston to add more depth to a big-man rotation currently featuring the likes of Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. 

According to Clippers reporter Tomer Azarly, the Clippers are one of the teams that has expressed an interest in Simons, who is averaging 14 points and shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range this season with Boston. 

The Clippers could be a viable trade partner with Boston. The Celtics have already been linked to Los Angeles big man Ivica Zubac this month. 

Zubac would be a major addition to a Celtics team that has exceeded expectations this year amid a reworked roster.

The 7-foot Zubac is averaging 14.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.8 blocks over 31.2 minutes per game this season with the Clippers.  Beyond his production down low, Zubac is also a strong defender, finishing sixth in the voting for 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year while securing a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. 

If Boston were to move Simons, it could clear cap space even after taking on Zubac’s contract. The Clippers big man currently commands an $18.1 million salary in 2025-26 and is under contract for an average of $20 million through the 2027-28 season.