The Boston Celtics are flipping the script on the Eastern Conference, proving they’re far from a rebuilding project despite the absence of superstar Jayson Tatum. Sitting at an impressive 15-9 start to the 2025-2026 NBA season, the Celtics have clawed their way to third place in the East, hot on the heels of the New York Knicks and the surprising Detroit Pistons. This unexpected surge has the front office rethinking their strategy, turning what was supposed to be a “gap year” into a bold declaration of dominance.
Tatum’s Achilles injury was expected to sideline him for most—if not all—of the season, prompting the Celtics to make tough cost-cutting decisions. They shipped out championship heroes Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, signaling a potential step back to avoid the playoffs and rebuild quietly. But Boston’s resilient core has shattered those low expectations, forcing the team to pivot toward win-now moves that could reshape the roster ahead of Tatum’s eventual return.
In a landscape where the Celtics were predicted to tread water, their overperformance has opened the door to aggressive trade pursuits. While blockbuster deals might seem out of reach, one intriguing name bubbling up is Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford—a battle-tested big man with Eastern Conference roots who could fortify Boston’s frontcourt.
A Celtics-focused outlet, Hardwood Houdini, has floated a jaw-dropping three-team hypothetical trade that would land Gafford in green and white. In this bombshell scenario, Boston acquires Gafford and versatile forward Haywood Highsmith, but at a steep price: parting ways with their splashy offseason addition, sharpshooting guard Anfernee Simons. Simons, who’s on a lucrative $100 million contract, would head to the Brooklyn Nets along with a haul of second-round picks. Meanwhile, the Mavericks would walk away with young talents Ziaire Williams and Cam Thomas, plus a future first-round pick to sweeten the pot.
This move isn’t just about adding depth—it’s a calculated shock to the system, dumping Simons’ hefty salary while injecting veteran reliability into the lineup. Gafford, a former Chicago Bull and Washington Wizard, knows the Eastern Conference grind all too well, having faced off against the Celtics multiple times a year during his Wizards tenure.
Gafford’s durability is a standout trait: He logged over 70 games in each of his two full seasons with Washington. In the 45 games he played for the Wizards in 2023-2024, he averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and an imposing 2.2 blocks per game. Traded mid-season to Dallas, he elevated his game further, appearing in 57 contests last year with career-high marks of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
Now, with Gafford locked into a multi-year deal—$17.2 million this season and just under $19 million for each of the next two—the Celtics could secure a dependable rim protector without breaking the bank long-term. Rumors swirling around Dallas suggest Gafford might be on the trade block, making this the perfect storm for Boston to strike.
Simons, despite his elite shooting, seems like a short-term fit in Boston, unlikely to stick around beyond this year. Why not flip him for proven assets while his value is high? This trade would signal the Celtics’ front office is done playing nice—they’re reloading for war in the East, ready to pounce when Tatum returns and reclaim their throne.
As the trade deadline looms, all eyes are on Boston. Will they pull the trigger on this payroll-shaking deal, or is something even bigger brewing? One thing’s for sure: The Celtics aren’t fading into the background—they’re coming for the crown.