Celtics Reportedly Eyeing Trade For Breakout Big Man

The Boston Celtics, despite facing lowered expectations this season, have remained one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference early in the 2025-26 campaign. As a result, the C’s could end up being active at the upcoming trade deadline over the next few weeks.

While the Celtics, who are currently sitting in second place in the East, have shown they can go toe-to-toe with any team on any given night, their roster isn’t perfect. Easily their biggest need is at the center position in the frontcourt.

Boston has gotten solid production from players like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, but the team will need another guy at this spot if they want to go on a deep playoff run. With that in mind, the C’s have reportedly shown interest in pulling off a trade for Los Angeles Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac.

“During earlier trade inquiries, it would have taken at least two first-round picks for the Clippers to consider parting with Zubac, league sources told HoopsHype,” Michael Scotto reported. “Among the notable teams to express interest in trading for Zubac were the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, HoopsHype has learned.”

In his eighth season with the Clippers, Zubac has emerged as one of the top two-way big men in the league. Through 30 games this season, Zubac is averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 60.1% from the field.

Zubac is also a stout defender, as he finished sixth in the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year race, while also earning a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. The price may be high, but at 28 years old, Zubac fits the Celtics’ timeline. If they remain close to the top of the East moving forward, he could make sense as a trade target for Boston.