The Boston Celtics’ search for a long-term answer at center has fueled speculation linking them to everyone from Ivica Zubac to Myles Turner. Now, a legendary voice has entered the chat with a far more ambitious suggestion. Hall of Fame guard Isiah Thomas recently proposed that the Celtics should explore a blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, claiming such a move could catapult Boston back to championship favorite status in the East. While the idea of pairing Davis with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is tantalizing, the monumental financial and injury-related hurdles make it a fantasy far removed from the pragmatic reality guiding President Brad Stevens’ front office.
On paper, Isiah Thomas’s logic is sound. A healthy Anthony Davis is a top-5 NBA talent and the archetype of the modern two-way big man. His defensive versatility, elite rim protection, and offensive skill would perfectly complement the Celtics’ core. As Thomas noted, adding Davis to a team already playing at a high level could create a juggernaut. The Celtics have a history of interest, famously pursuing Davis before his 2019 trade to the Lakers—a move famously opposed by Davis’ father at the time.
However, the dream collides with three immovable realities:
The Colossal Contract: Davis is in the first year of a 3-year, $175 million max extension. He is set to earn $54.1 million this season, and $62.7 million in 2027-28 if he opts into his player option. For a Celtics team mindful of the new, punitive second apron rules, taking on this deal would require gutting the roster to match salaries, sacrificing the very depth that makes them contenders.
The Durability Question: Davis, now 32, has played 65+ games only twice in the last seven seasons. His brilliant play is often punctuated by extended absences. Betting a championship window on his availability is a risk Stevens’ methodical approach is virtually certain to avoid.
The Acquisition Cost: Even if Boston was willing to absorb the contract, prying Davis from the Lakers would require a king’s ransom of picks and young talent (think multiple players like Derrick White, Al Horford for salary, and all remaining draft equity), effectively ending the “two-timeline” flexibility Stevens has carefully preserved.
Isiah Thomas is right about the Celtics’ need and the potential impact of a star big. But the front office’s history indicates they will seek that impact through a more sustainable avenue. Instead of a high-risk, high-cost mega-trade for an aging superstar, Boston is more likely to target:
A younger, more durable center entering his prime (e.g., a Walker Kessler type if available).
A high-impact role player who fits financially without dismantling the core.
Internal development, continuing to nurture Neemias Queta while seeking incremental upgrades.
Isiah Thomas’s suggestion is a captivating “what-if” that highlights the Celtics’ position as a legitimate piece away from dominance. Yet, it serves more as a measure of their current standing than a viable blueprint. In the era of restrictive CBA rules and with a core in its competitive prime, Brad Stevens’ front office is built to make calculated, forward-thinking moves—not nostalgic, all-in gambles on superstars with prohibitive price tags and unreliable health. The search for a center will continue, but it will almost certainly follow a different, more prudent map than the one leading to Anthony Davis.