The Boston Celtics’ frontcourt entered the 2025-26 season as a perceived weakness. Over time, however, it proved to be anything but. Neemias Queta emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate, delivering impressive production and anchoring the interior. Luka Garza became a fan favorite with his effective play off the bench, while Nikola Vucevic showed promising signs as a fit in Boston after his acquisition.
That internal development is precisely why the idea of a major upgrade at the position feels unnecessary for a contending Celtics team. Yet Brad Stevens has never shied away from bold moves when the right opportunity arises. Enter Anthony Davis — a player whose raw talent still carries undeniable appeal and who, according to the latest reports, could once again become available after being traded twice in the past year.
A recent tweet from Josh Robbins of The Athletic highlighted the situation: Anthony Davis still wants to hear what the Washington Wizards’ front office is planning to do to improve the team for the 2026-27 season. If Davis truly believes Washington can transform into a contender overnight, a fallout between the sides appears almost inevitable.
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Make no mistake: Davis remains superior to any big man currently on the Celtics roster. He would represent the most talented frontcourt player Boston has featured since Kevin Garnett. Back in 2019, the vast majority of Celtics fans enthusiastically supported the idea of acquiring him. In 2026, however, the calculus has shifted dramatically — and not in Davis’ favor.
Davis’ Contract and Injury Concerns Make Him Riskier Than Ever
The biggest red flag is Davis’ contract. Next season, he is slated to earn nearly $58.5 million, making him the third-highest-paid player in the NBA alongside Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo. At that salary, he is being compensated like a perennial superstar, yet at this stage of his career, even the most optimistic assessment places him a tier below that elite stratosphere.
His history of nagging injuries only amplifies the risk. Davis has dealt with recurring issues involving his calf, groin, adductor, finger, hand, and other lower-body ailments throughout recent seasons. Paying a near-max salary for a player who has become increasingly unreliable in terms of availability is a luxury few true contenders can afford without significant downside.
If his annual salary hovered closer to $40 million, the gamble might look more palatable. But the Wizards only acquired him at their price point because of the hefty commitment attached — a deal that now burdens any potential suitor with outsized financial risk for a 33-year-old whose durability has visibly declined.
Boston Simply Isn’t Desperate Enough for This Kind of Gamble
The Celtics have already extracted strong, reliable production from their current group of bigs. Queta’s breakout campaign, combined with contributions from Garza and Vucevic, has provided depth and continuity that helped Boston compete at a high level. Introducing Davis would mean disrupting that proven chemistry in exchange for a declining star whose upside comes wrapped in substantial injury and availability concerns.
Even if Davis hits the open market or becomes trade-eligible again, Boston is unlikely to be the most desperate suitor. Several rebuilding or win-now teams craving an immediate boost would likely outbid the Celtics in terms of willingness to absorb the risk and salary. The only scenario in which Boston might seriously consider him is if Davis were bought out and willing to accept the mid-level exception — a highly improbable outcome that would almost certainly see him prioritize a return to the Los Angeles Lakers first.
The Celtics are far from a perfect roster, and adding frontcourt help should never be dismissed outright. However, the version of Anthony Davis that once made perfect sense for Boston no longer aligns with the team’s current timeline, roster construction, or risk tolerance.
In today’s NBA, where continuity, health, and cap flexibility often separate the good from the great, chasing a high-upside but high-risk talent like Davis at his current price tag and age represents a move that could easily backfire. The Celtics’ front office has built a resilient group that has already defied early-season doubts. Pursuing this particular blockbuster now looks less like a masterstroke and more like a potential disaster in the making.
For a franchise that has prioritized smart, sustainable contention, the data — and the on-court results — point clearly in one direction: sticking with the frontcourt they have developed is the wiser path forward. Anthony Davis may be up for grabs, but Boston has already shown why letting this one pass is the right call.