Celtics being viewed as early suitors for two elite centers who were on conference final teams

Mar 22, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have to feel like they're a couple of pieces away after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs. The 76ers went on to be swept by the New York Knicks, and the Knicks then swept the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Right now, the Knicks are the clear team to beat in the Eastern Conference, though it's so important to recognize that the Celtics played without Jayson Tatum for much of the season, and he also missed time in the playoffs.

I wouldn't count on Brad Stevens not making the right moves for all other NBA teams' fan bases. All Stevens has done over the past few years is show that he's going to make the necessary moves to ensure the Celtics have a chance to win, and that's going to be the case again this offseason.

It'll be interesting to see who they go after, though the Celtics were recently named as a potential suitor for Isaiah Hartenstein or Jarrett Allen, the centers for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers.

“It will be interesting to see how the Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers approach this offseason after bowing out in the conference finals,” Zach Cox wrote. “Both have established, starting-caliber big men (Hartenstein and Jarrett Allen, respectively) who could be Celtics targets if either becomes available.”

The Celtics attempted to add a competent center at the trade deadline by acquiring Nikola Vučević. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of anything, as he hardly played in the series against the 76ers. Even in the minutes he was on the court, he didn't bring Boston much. He's going to be a free agent this offseason and certainly won't return.

Hartenstein and Allen would both be a great fit in Boston, no matter which player would end up with the team if that's how things played out.

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