The Boston Celtics have a center problem. Actually, let me rephrase that.
They have multiple center problems.
Neemias Queta struggled in the postseason. He was serviceable during the regular season, but when the lights got brighter and the competition got tougher, he disappeared. Luka Garza is still developing — he’s not ready for prime time. Nikola Vucevic is heading into unrestricted free agency, and even if he returns, he’s not a long-term answer.
For the second straight summer, finding an impactful big man to anchor the middle of the floor has to be a priority for Brad Stevens.
Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr.
Fortunately, the Celtics have tools to work with. They have the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. They have a sizeable traded player exception. They have tradeable contracts. And according to Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston, they have a clear target: Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic.
Let me break down why Carter makes sense, what it would take to acquire him, and why this move could be the missing piece for a Celtics team that exited the playoffs in the first round.
The Carter Profile: What He Brings to the Table
Let me start with the player.
Wendell Carter Jr. is a 6-foot-10, 270-pound center who just finished his seventh NBA season. He played in 78 games for the Magic last season — that’s durability, something the Celtics desperately need.
His numbers: 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, shooting 51.2% from the field and 31.9% from three.
Those aren’t All-Star numbers. But they’re not supposed to be. The Celtics don’t need a superstar at center. They need a reliable, physical, two-way big man who can rebound, defend, and space the floor just enough to keep defenses honest.
That’s Wendell Carter Jr.
What he does well:
Rebounding. Carter averaged 7.4 rebounds per game last season. He’s a physical presence on the glass. He boxes out. He fights for position. The Celtics were inconsistent on the boards all season. Carter fixes that.
Durability. Seventy-eight games. That’s almost a full season. The Celtics have been burned by injuries to Kristaps Porzingis and Robert Williams III in recent years. Carter stays on the court.
Size. At 270 pounds, Carter is a load. He can body up against the Joel Embiids and Giannis Antetokounmpos of the world. He won’t stop them — nobody does — but he won’t get pushed around.
Passing. Carter is an underrated passer. He averaged 2 assists per game, but his hockey assists and screen assists are where he adds real value. He keeps the ball moving in a motion offense.
What he doesn’t do well:
Shot blocking. Carter is not a rim protector. He averaged less than one block per game. He’s a positional defender, not a swatter. The Celtics would still need shot-blocking from elsewhere.
Three-point consistency. 31.9% from deep is average at best. Defenses won’t respect him as a shooter. But he’s good enough to keep them from completely sagging off.
The Goss Analysis: Why the Magic Would Trade Him
Let me bring in the expert perspective.
Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston laid out the logic perfectly:
*“The Magic have a ton of huge salaries, so it would benefit them to move out some money. Carter is a reliable double-digit scorer and a good rebounder. He’s not a dominant shot blocker but does bring good size (6-foot-10, 270 pounds) to the frontcourt. The Magic ranked 28th in 3-point percentage during the regular season, and given Boston’s abundance of good outside shooters, these two teams make sense as potential trade partners.”*
Let me translate that.
The Magic are in salary cap trouble. They have multiple large contracts on their books. Trading Carter would alleviate some of that pressure while bringing back assets that fit their timeline.
Orlando also ranked 28th in three-point percentage. They need shooting. The Celtics have shooting in abundance — Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and whoever else is on the roster.
A trade makes sense for both sides. Boston gets a center. Orlando gets shooting and salary relief.
The Contract: Carter’s Affordable Deal
Let me get into the money.
Carter is entering the first year of a three-year, 37.6millionextension.He′ssettoearn∗∗37.6millionextension.He′ssettoearn∗∗18.1 million** in the upcoming season.
That’s not cheap, but it’s also not outrageous. For a starting-caliber center who plays 70+ games and gives you double-digit points and rebounds, $18 million is fair market value.
The Celtics have the contracts to match. They could send out some combination of:
Payton Pritchard ($10-12 million)
Sam Hauser ($8-10 million)
Luke Kornet ($5-7 million)
Draft picks
The math works. The question is whether Orlando is willing to deal.
The Celtics’ Other Need: A Ball-Handling Guard
Let me address the elephant in the room.
The center position isn’t the only area of need for Boston. The Celtics are also in dire need of an extra guard to provide optionality next to Payton Pritchard and Derrick White.
Brad Stevens has a choice to make:
Option 1: Use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15 million) on a ball-handling guard in free agency. Then use trades to solve the center position.
Option 2: Use the MLE on a center in free agency. Then use trades to solve the guard position.
Option 3: Use the draft to address one need and free agency/trades to address the other.
Given the available free agents and trade targets, Option 1 seems most likely. There are more quality guards available in free agency than quality centers. The Celtics could sign a veteran point guard — someone like Tyus Jones or Reggie Jackson — and then trade for Carter.
The Draft Option: Henri Veesaar and the Need to Move Up
Let me briefly mention the draft.
If the Celtics decide to address the center position through the NBA Draft, one name to watch is Henri Veesaar out of North Carolina. He’s a 7-foot stretch big with legitimate shooting range.
The problem? Veesaar is projected to go in the mid-to-late teens. The Celtics pick at No. 27. They would need to move up — significantly — to get him.
That would require trading future assets. Is it worth it for a rookie center who might not be ready to contribute immediately? Probably not.
The Celtics are in win-now mode. They need a center who can play right away. That’s why trading for Carter makes more sense than drafting a rookie.
The Wing Option: Amari Allen at No. 27
Let me pivot to what the Celtics might actually do with their first-round pick.
According to CBS Sports’ latest mock draft from Adam Finklestein, the Celtics could select Amari Allen out of Alabama with the 27th pick.
Here’s what Finklestein wrote:
“The Celtics grab a hard-nosed wing in Amari Allen. He fits the Boston mold perfectly; he can facilitate, run and he’s a dog on defense. He’s the type of competitor who will thrive under Joe Mazzulla.”
And this:
“Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla.”
If the Celtics trade for Carter, they won’t have a first-round pick to use on a center. That’s fine — because they can use that pick on a wing like Allen instead.
Allen fits the Celtics’ identity: tough, defensive-minded, competitive, and willing to do the dirty work. He’s exactly the kind of player who thrives in Mazzulla’s system.
The First-Round Exit Mandate: Change Is Coming
Let me close with the big picture.
The Celtics exited the playoffs in the first round. That’s unacceptable for a franchise with championship aspirations. Brad Stevens knows it. Joe Mazzulla knows it. The players know it.
Changes are coming. Not because the Celtics are bad — but because they’re not good enough.
The roster will look legitimately different by the time opening night rolls around in late October. Some familiar faces will be gone. New faces will arrive.
Wendell Carter Jr. could be one of those new faces. Amari Allen could be another.
The Celtics have the assets. They have the exceptions. They have the motivation.
Now they just need to execute.
Final Verdict: Make the Call
Here’s my honest take.
The Boston Celtics should trade for Wendell Carter Jr. Not because he’s a superstar — he’s not. Not because he’s a perfect player — he has flaws.
But because he’s exactly what the Celtics need: a durable, physical, reliable center who can rebound, defend, and play 70+ games.
The Celtics don’t need a hero at center. They need a professional. They need someone who does his job, stays healthy, and doesn’t complain about his role.
Wendell Carter Jr. is that player.
The price will be reasonable. The fit is obvious. And the need is urgent.
Brad Stevens has made savvy trades before. He traded for Derrick White. He traded for Jrue Holiday. He knows how to identify the right player at the right price.
Wendell Carter Jr. is the right player.
One thing’s certain: The Celtics are going to make a move at center this offseason. And Wendell Carter Jr. should be at the top of their list.