The Boston Celtics have a problem. It’s not a talent problem. It’s not a coaching problem. It’s a center problem.
Neemias Queta was impressive during the regular season. He rebounded. He blocked shots. He played with energy. But when the playoffs started and the lights got brighter, he struggled. The Celtics need an upgrade.
The question is: what kind of center do they need?
A traditional rim-protecting big? A floor-spacing stretch five? A versatile defender who can switch onto guards?
According to Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston, the Celtics should target P.J. Washington of the Dallas Mavericks.
Washington is not a traditional center. At 6-foot-8, he’s undersized for the position. But he’s versatile. He can protect the rim. He can switch onto smaller players. He can shoot threes. He can play the five when the Celtics go small.
Let me break down why Washington fits, what the Celtics would have to give up, and why this move could be the missing piece for Boston’s championship hopes.
The Washington Profile: A Modern Big Man
Let me start with the player.
P.J. Washington is 27 years old. He’s 6-foot-8, 230 pounds. He just finished a season with the Dallas Mavericks where he averaged:
14.2 points per game
7.0 rebounds
1.8 assists
45% from the field
32.5% from three
Those aren’t All-Star numbers. But they’re not supposed to be. Washington is a role player — a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and fill multiple roles.
He’s spent 76% of his career minutes at power forward, but he’s more than capable of playing center in small-ball lineups.
What he does well:
Versatility. Washington can guard multiple positions. He can switch onto guards. He can body up against bigger forwards. He’s not a traditional rim protector, but he’s disruptive.
Shooting. Washington shot 32.5% from three last season. That’s not elite, but it’s enough to keep defenses honest. He can space the floor.
Physicality. Washington is strong. He’s not going to get pushed around. He can hold his own in the post.
Playoff experience. Washington has been to the playoffs. He’s played in big games. He won’t be overwhelmed.
What he doesn’t do well:
Traditional rim protection. Washington is not a shot-blocking center. He averaged less than one block per game. He’s not going to erase shots at the rim like a traditional big.
Rebounding. 7 rebounds per game is solid, but it’s not elite. He’s not going to dominate the glass.
The Leger Analysis: Why Washington Fits Boston
Let me bring in the expert perspective.
Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston laid out the case perfectly:
*“At 6-foot-8, Washington isn’t the prototypical big man you may have had in mind, but the 27-year-old can play the five when the Celtics go small. Boston would benefit from his versatility, as he can protect the rim as well as switch and hold his own defensively against players of all sizes. Offensively, he’s capable of shooting the 3 and making his presence felt in the post.*
Washington is a well-rounded player who could help the C’s in a wide variety of ways.”
Let me translate that: Washington is not a traditional center. He’s not going to be a shot-blocking anchor. But in the modern NBA, versatility matters more than size. And Washington has versatility in spades.
The Small-Ball Fit: How Washington Would Play in Boston
Let me paint a picture.
The Celtics’ best lineups last season were their small-ball lineups. When they went small, they created space, opened up driving lanes, and forced defenses to scramble.
But they lacked a true small-ball five. Someone who could protect the rim, switch onto guards, and space the floor.
Washington is that player.
Imagine a lineup of Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis (or another big), and P.J. Washington. That’s a lineup that can switch everything. That’s a lineup that can shoot. That’s a lineup that can defend.
Washington would be the glue.
The Contract: What Washington Costs
Let me get into the money.
Washington is entering the first year of a four-year, 88.7millioncontractextension.That′sroughly88.7millioncontractextension.That′sroughly22 million per year.
That’s not cheap. But it’s also not outrageous for a starting-caliber forward who can play multiple positions.
The Celtics would have to match salary in a trade. That could mean sending 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 the Mavericks are willing to deal.
The Traditional Center Alternative: Drummond, Wagner, Collins, Robinson
Let me briefly address the other options.
If the Celtics want a traditional center, the free agent market offers:
Andre Drummond (aging, limited offensively)
Moritz Wagner (injury-prone, streaky shooter)
Zach Collins (inconsistent, injury history)
Mitchell Robinson (elite rim protector, but limited offensively and always hurt)
None of these players is a clear upgrade over Queta. They’re all flawed. They’re all risks.
That’s why the trade market might be more appealing. Washington is a known quantity. He’s a proven playoff performer. He’s durable.
The Guard Position: Another Area of Need
Let me talk about the other position the Celtics need to address.
Boston also needs guard depth. Derrick White is the starter. Payton Pritchard is the backup. Behind them? Not much.
The Celtics could use their mid-level exception on a veteran guard. Someone like Tyus Jones. Someone like Reggie Jackson. Someone who can run the offense when White is on the bench.
But that’s a separate conversation.
The Contract Decisions: Brown, Pritchard, and the Team Options
Let me address the other decisions facing Brad Stevens.
Jaylen Brown is eligible for a contract extension. He’s a max player. He’s the face of the franchise. He’ll get paid.
Payton Pritchard is also eligible for an extension. He’s a valuable backup. The Celtics will likely keep him.
Team options: Jordan Walsh, Dalano Banton, Neemias Queta, Ron Harper Jr., Amari Williams, and Max Shulga all have team options. Stevens needs to decide who stays and who goes.
That’s a lot of decisions. But they’re all secondary to the center position.
The Draft: The 27th Pick
Let me briefly mention the draft.
The Celtics have the 27th pick. Brad Stevens has found success in the late first round before — Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez are recent examples.
Stevens could use the pick on a center. He could use it on a guard. He could use it to trade for a veteran.
The draft is another tool in the toolbox.
The Queta Question: Bench Role or Trade Bait?
Let me address Neemias Queta’s future.
Queta is a solid player. He’s a good backup. He’s not a starter. The Celtics would be better served moving him to the bench and adding a starting-caliber center.
But Queta could also be trade bait. He has value. He’s young. He’s cheap. Other teams would want him.
If the Celtics trade for Washington, Queta could be part of the package.
Final Verdict: Make the Call for Washington
Here’s my honest take.
The Boston Celtics should pursue P.J. Washington. Not because he’s a superstar — he’s not. Not because he’s a traditional center — he’s not.
Because he’s a versatile, modern big man who fits the Celtics’ system perfectly.
He can shoot. He can defend. He can switch. He can play the five in small-ball lineups. He’s a proven playoff performer.
The contract is big, but it’s not prohibitive. The Celtics can make the money work.
The alternative — signing a traditional center like Drummond or Robinson — comes with just as much risk. And those players don’t fit the Celtics’ style.
Washington is the right player at the right time.
One thing’s certain: The Celtics will have a new starting center next season. And P.J. Washington should be at the top of their list.