With a surprising 15-9 start without Jayson Tatum, Boston’s unexpected success complicates their approach to the trade market, balancing present competitiveness with future flexibility.
The script has been flipped in Boston. Widely projected to take a step back in a “gap year” without their injured superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have instead stormed out to a 15-9 start, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. This unexpected success presents President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens with a fascinating dilemma as the trade window approaches: fortify the current overachieving roster or stay the course and preserve future assets.
Boston’s resilience has been the story of the season’s first quarter. After parting with key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis for financial flexibility, the Celtics were expected to struggle. Instead, a collective effort led by players like Anfernee Simons, acquired in the offseason, has kept the team’s competitive flame burning bright. This performance has shattered the preseason notion that Boston would be a passive seller, shifting them into a more nuanced position as a potential cautious buyer or opportunist.
With blockbuster moves for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Davis seen as highly improbable and misaligned with the current team-building phase, speculation has turned to more pragmatic upgrades. One name consistently linked to Boston is Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.
The 26-year-old big man represents the type of player who could address a clear need. He is a traditional, rim-protecting center who excels as a finisher and rebounder—a profile that complements Boston’s style. Last season, split between Washington and Dallas, he averaged 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. More importantly, he is under a reasonable, multi-year contract (approximately $19 million per year through 2026-27), offering stability beyond this season.
The primary hurdle in any deal for a player of Gafford’s caliber is the acquisition cost. As suggested by outlets like Hardwood Houdini, a hypothetical multi-team framework could see Boston part with Anfernee Simons—their dynamic scoring guard—to land Gafford and a role player like Haywood Highsmith.
This presents the core of Stevens’ dilemma:
The Case for Trading Simons: Simons, while explosive offensively, is on an expiring contract. His value is at its peak, and there is uncertainty about his long-term fit and price tag alongside a returning Jayson Tatum. Converting him into a long-term starting center like Gafford could be seen as securing tangible value for the future.
The Case Against It: Simons has been instrumental in Boston’s hot start. Trading the team’s leading scorer (or a top contributor) in the middle of a winning season risks disrupting chemistry and derailing the positive momentum that has defined the year so far. The question becomes: is upgrading the center position worth potentially sacrificing current on-court success?
The most likely path for the Celtics is one of strategic patience and opportunism, not a headline-grabbing splash. Boston’s strong record affords them the luxury of waiting for a deal that makes undeniable sense without compromising their core flexibility for when Tatum returns.
A move for a player like Daniel Gafford is plausible, but only if the price aligns with Boston’s long-term vision—likely one that doesn’t involve surrendering a key, controllable young asset or significant future draft capital. The Celtics have earned the right to be picky. Their “gap year” has become a statement year, and any trade will be evaluated through the dual lens of sustaining this surprise campaign and building optimally for the return of their franchise cornerstone.