Celtics urged to add $5 million big man as insurance for Nikola Vucevic

The Boston Celtics were a busy team leading up to the 2026 trade deadline. 

The team made a total of four trades, but one of those stood out among the rest. The team shipped guard Anfernee Simons and a 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic and a 2027 second-round pick. 

Much has been made about the Celtics' frontcourt depth this season, even though Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have exceeded expectations. Vucevic is an experienced veteran who can rebound and space the floor, which should fit in perfectly in Boston. 

However, Vucevic is on an expiring deal, and there's guarantee he'll be back next season. As a result, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report identified a big man the Celtics could sign this offseason as insurance. 

Hughes believes Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic could be an affordable, quality depth option. Regarding that fit, Hughes offered the following: 

Bringing Vooch back on a new deal is a good option, but he shouldn't be relied upon to solve Boston's center-depth problems in what'll be his age-36 season. He and Neemias Queta could use some help.

Moe Wagner has developed his floor-stretching game over the past three seasons and is draining over 45.0 percent of his treys since returning from last year's torn ACL. He's graded in the top 20 percent of Offensive Estimated Plus/Minus in three of the four years prior to this one and could be gettable for less than the full MLE after earning $11 million in his final season with the Orlando Magic.

Queta and Garza are the only big men under contract for the Celtic next season, so it would make sense to add a guy like Wagner even if Vucevic re-signs. 

So far in the 2025-26 season, Wagner is averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds on  47.8% shooting from the field and 44.8% shooting from deep. The Michigan product has only played in 11 games as he recovers from a torn ACL, but his improved shooting splits are encouraging. 

Some fans may remember that Wagner played in nine games for the Celtics back in the 2020-21 season. Wagner has been on the Magic with his brother Franz since 2021-22 and has developed into a solid rotational big. 

The Celtics were able to get out of the luxury tax with their flurry of deadline moves, so they could enter the offseason at just around $15 million over the cap. This would make a player like Wagner easily affordable, especially if Vucevic signs elsewhere.