Celtics' interest in Evan Mobley could solve one roster issue and create another

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The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft went off without a hitch last night, and the second round will conclude tonight. For the Boston Celtics, not making any moves yesterday makes it seem like their prime chance to make up for missing out on Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting smaller.

Because of that mishap, the Celtics laid their cards out on the table, showing to their main trade piece for Giannis, Jaylen Brown, that he was tradeable. This comes after a year where he carried them to the playoffs, and two years earlier, winning ECF MVP and Finals MVP.

So, with the “broken trust” between the two parties, Boston may need to find someone else to trade for. Apparently, it seems like they found one in Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and DPOY Evan Mobley.

Mobley would be Boston’s defensive anchor

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According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Boston is high on Mobley, which he also notes so is everyone else in the NBA.

This past season, Mobley averaged 18.2 points, nine rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game. In the season before with almost the exact same statline, he won Defensive Player of the Year, and was an All-Star.

If the Celtics were to acquire Mobley, it would give them a second seven-footer in the paint with Neemias Queta, making it almost impossible to drive in on them without an attempted block on the shot. Also, it would give them another lob option as well for more dunks, something GM Brad Stevens wants.

The cons outweighs the pros

The problem with this theoretical trade, though, is Boston would have to give up Brown to get Mobley, because of the CBA and contracts.

And, if that were to happen, Mazzulla Ball would fall apart, as Boston loses a shooter on the court in Brown and doesn’t gain one in Mobley, who shot just below 30% from deep this past season. Giannis isn't a good shooter either, but his gravity and playmaking are leagues better than Mobley's, allowing for the remaining shooters on the floor to get cleaner looks.

The verdict

If the Celtics could find some way to get Mobley without giving up Brown, that would be preferable. Move Brown to shooting guard, and the Celtics have the best starting five in the NBA.

However, that’s pretty much impossible. And seeing that it’s really not an upgrade and more of a cop out after whiffing on Giannis, keeping Brown seems like the responsible thing to do.

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