Celtics Mailbag: Will Boston make a trade at center this summer?

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Celtics Mailbag: Will Boston make a trade at center this summer?

Brian Robb · MassLive

Fri, Apr 3, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The Celtics are getting close to locking up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference after a successful road trip this week. However, big questions still loom for this team’s future in the frontcourt for both the present and future with Nikola Vucevic ’s return approaching. Let’s talk about his impact on the rotation, whether he has a long term future in Boston and much more in this week’s mailbag.

If Vooch returns to bolster the lineup and performs well in the playoffs, do you see him returning next season? And if so what’s his market value at age 36? Would he even want to return to a team where he’s not the starter? — John M

It’s a fascinating situation for the big man who has made over $215 million in his career as he enters his twilight. A steep payout is coming whether he returns to Boston or finds somewhere else to finish his career. Vucevic has to be hoping Boston wants him back since it’s uncertain how much value he will have right now on an open market. He’s currently $21.4 million this season but it would not be a surprise to see that total gets cut in half (or even more) for next season, even with the cap rising.

The 36-year-old can still be efficient on offense and soak up minutes but is some team going to give him mid-level money at that age? Given his defensive limitations, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get something closer to the veteran’s minimum than the mid-level this summer. Also hard to see any team that wants to win handing him a starting role barring a terrific performance during the postseason run.

Ultimately, a return to Boston is largely going to depend on price and performance. If the Celtics want to stay under the luxury tax next year and he plays well once he recovers from his finger injury, I could see him back for somewhere south of mid-level money on a one-year deal. However, it’s fair to wonder whether Boston will want to look younger with that roster spot given the recent development success they’ve had at the center position. Boston could also try to trade for a younger, less expensive option as well.

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Vucevic will have a lot to play for when he’s cleared to play next week. How quickly he gets his minutes back from Luka Garza with the playoffs approaching will be an intriguing subplot to the situation. Both guys will be matchup options for Joe Mazzulla in the playoffs but Garza’s skillset could be more valuable in spot minutes. Jayson Tatum playing center could also steal some minutes from both.

Is there a world where the Celtics trade one of their good young wings for Ke’lel Ware on Heat? seems like a guy that might be worth a flier and given their inability to play him next to Bam, seems like we could trade like walsh and a second for him or something — MDNorth

Ware still has two years left on his rookie deal and is only 21 years old so it’s hard to see Miami giving up on him at this point barring a deal for a major upgrade. The fit next to Bam Adebayo is awkward but it won’t necessarily be an either/or situation with those guys given how young Ware is.

I like where your head is at though as far as improving the roster. The Celtics will have a logjam on the wing when everyone is healthy so testing the trade waters on a guy like Walsh would make some sense if you can upgrade another area of the roster for him. Neemias Queta looks potentially like the starting center of the future for this group (playoffs will tell the tale on that to some degree) but upgrading Garza is a reasonable goal. Ware is probably going to be too pricy given the assets Brad Stevens has to work with but would expect the frontcourt to be on Boston’s radar if they don’t make it to the NBA Finals.

Any chance Vucevic loses playing time to garza? — Mike W

Absolutely. The guy averaged 9.5 points and 4 rebounds in just 17 minutes per game in March and also shot 43.2 percent from 3-point range in that span. Vucevic is the more versatile offensive weapon but Garza’s impact as a second unit energy spark plug has been terrific since about December. Part of me was surprised that Vucevic took all his minutes right away once he was acquired but the choice becomes interesting now for Joe Mazzulla with just a week for Vucevic to acclimate before the playoffs hit.

Ultimately, it’s going come down to matchups a lot of the time in the playoffs. Vucevic is the better defensive rebounder and passer, Garza has been one of the best offensive rebounders in the game this year. Both have their defensive warts. Vucevic will get first dibs on minutes is my guess but would not sleep on Garza holding onto some of his if Vucevic looks rusty upon his eventual return.

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