The Boston Celtics have undergone major changes over the past few months. But with the departures of some of their top talent and the Achilles injury of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics expect to remain competitive heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.
However, one of the team’s biggest concerns is their lack of frontcourt depth, specifically after losing Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet in free agency. While head coach Joe Mazzulla and general manager Brad Stevens are testing out different lineups with their current big men, a new addition could be in the trade market.
Recent rumors have put the Los Angeles Lakers as the top-favorites to trade for Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, but a recent article by Bleacher Report urged Boston to target the young shot-blocking big man.
With a depleted center position following the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet, Boston needs a new starting center and won’t want to break the bank after shedding so much salary this past offseason,” Greg Swartz wrote. “Kessler’s $4.8 million salary would be easy to match.”
Kessler was reportedly frustrated Utah didn’t offer him a contract extension as he enters the last season of his rookie deal. With the Jazz showing few signs of being competitive this year, Kessler could be a top trade asset by the deadline or sooner.
Potential Walker Kessler Addition
As mentioned with the departures, the Celtics have little frontcourt depth. Currently, the team is set to trot out Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman, and Chris Boucher, all decent players, but lacking behind those from last season.
Kessler would be a perfect fit to take on the center role in Boston and fit well with their established stars while Tatum recovers. Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White expect to have a massive workload for next season, leaving a hole down low for what could be a very positive contributor like Kessler.
Walker Kessler in the month of February
10.6 PPG- 11.4 RPG- 3.2 BPG- 69 FG%- 100 3P%
Kessler is entering his fourth season, coming off averages of 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game on 63.3% shooting. He was one of the more impactful defensive players in the league last season despite Utah’s failures, and his block average was second in the NBA only behind Victor Wembanyama.
Entering the last year of his rookie deal is both a positive and a negative for the Celtics in a potential trade for Kessler. It is good because this season he will only make $4.8 million, a drop in the bucket compared to other NBA salaries. However, Kessler will almost certainly command a massive contract next offseason, and if Boston doesn’t sign him then, they could lose him for nothing.
Kessler is one of the Best, Young Shot Blockers in the NBA.
Top 4 in BPG EVERY Season:
2023: #4 (2.2 BPG)
2024: #2 (2.5 BPG)
2025: #2 (2.4 BPG)
Still 24yo.
🔗: New Lakers Breakdown | A Kessler & Grimes Combo- t.co/q40RWnAX7R
It comes down to how much the Celtics want to win this upcoming season, even if Tatum could be out the entire year. The Lakers have made it clear they will target Kessler later on in the season, but as things stand now, he could prove more valuable in Boston.
Celtics Changing Strategy
As mentioned, Boston is in a transition year, with Brown, Pritchard, and White expected to take a leap with the departing big men and Tatum’s injury. The Celtics aren’t expected to be the same title-contenders they have been in recent years, but the team wants to remain competitive even in this clouded season.
According to an article from The Athletic, Mazzulla and Boston are focusing on speeding up the tempo this season. In the past, the Celtics have set records for the number of three-point shots they’ve taken and made, but now, with their different roster, the team is taking a new offensive strategy.
“The style changes,” Brown said. “The pace changes. The mentality changes, for sure. We got some experience we lost, so we’re trying to make up for that with speed and intensity.”
Pritchard cited the Oklahoma City Thunder’s run during last season as a reason why the team believes a step up in pace and physicality is needed. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year said that while he’s tired due to the pace they run at practice, he feels comfortable with the change.
“The NBA evolves every year,” Pritchard said. “So you gotta change your game with it… I am tired, but it’s good to push the body to these limits to get ready for the season. Definitely pushing ourselves.”
After losing some of the team’s top defensive contributors, Mazzulla said their defensive plan will be a bit more situational this season. The Celtics have had a top-tier defense over the past few years, and while it might diminish in 2025-26, Walker Kessler could be the perfect piece to their roster.
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