Do the Boston Celtics still need to trade for a backup center?

For now, all we can do is wait to see which direction they go, including standing pat.

Do the Boston Celtics need to trade for some more depth at their center position before Feb. 8? As the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline gets close, the takes are proliferating like wildfire on what the Celtics and the rest of the league might elect to do to bolster their rosters ahead of the annual cutoff for trades in a season.

Among those asking if Boston might want another big man on the team via trade to prepare them for a deep postseason run is Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley. “You’d have to think it’s something they’re at least talking about,” writes the B/R analyst.

“After all, we’re among the many who’ve discussed the situation all season, as it’s impossible not to notice what could go wrong at the position given Kristaps Porzingis’ injury history and the fact Al Horford is closer to his 38th birthday than his 37th,” he adds.

“Then again, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta have been more than capable when called upon,” suggests Buckley. “And if Porzingis and Horford can stay upright, a new backup big man almost certainly wouldn’t see the court outside of emergency situations come playoff time.”

“If the Celtics want another insurance policy for that, they can always wait and see what the buyout market has to offer.” That is an accurate summary of the position of strength Boston enters the remainder of trade season in.

And an enviable one at that; a larger forward able to play some center might scratch much of what itches the Celtics. For now, all we can do is wait to see which direction they go, including standing pat.

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