BREAKING NEWS: The Boston Celtics are narrowing their trade deadline focus on acquiring a starting center, with Ivica Zubac emerging as one of their top targets as the February 5 NBA trade deadline approaches. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Celtics have been active in the marketplace, expressing serious interest in adding a “big‑time starting center” ahead of the deadline as they look to strengthen their frontcourt for a potential deep playoff run.
With Boston currently sitting as one of the upper seeds in the Eastern Conference standings and eyeing a championship push, addressing their deficiencies in size, rebounding, and interior defense has become a priority for head coach Joe Mazzulla and the front office. Ivica Zubac — a veteran center known for rebounding, rim protection, and consistent play on both ends of the floor — has increasingly become a name linked to Boston’s plans, drawing attention across NBA media and fan circles as the deadline nears.
The interest in Ivica Zubac comes amid a backdrop of Celtics fans and analysts spotlighting Boston’s current center situation, with starter Neemias Queta and backup Luka Garza handling most of the minutes in the paint but leaving some observers wanting more size and defensive presence against elite frontcourts. Zubac, who has posted strong rebounding numbers and provided consistent scoring around the rim, fits the profile of the kind of traditional center Boston has lacked at times this season.
Beyond his on‑court impact, Zubac carries a team‑friendly contract worth approximately $58.7 million across three years, a factor that makes him an attractive trade target for a franchise balancing competitive aspirations with salary cap flexibility. Celtics insiders have even discussed how his contract and skill set could mesh with Boston’s current roster, offering the Celtics an upgrade in both rebounding and interior presence.
Front offices throughout the league, including Boston’s, understand that adding a player of Zubac’s caliber would require a hefty package, especially given his value and the Los Angeles Clippers’ desire to retain him. Reports suggest that the Clippers are likely to request multiple first‑round draft picks in any potential Zubac trade, a price tag that reflects both his on‑court production and his long‑term contract stability. This expected asking price has tempered some expectations about whether such a deal can be made, particularly for a team like Boston that typically values draft capital and roster flexibility.
The high cost could give the Celtics pause, especially if it threatens future flexibility or requires moving key contributors to match salary and draft assets. Despite those hurdles, league insiders say that Boston’s pursuit of Zubac — and other centers — is being driven by a desire to improve their interior identity as the Celtics prepare for a postseason gauntlet that will test their frontcourt depth.
Among the factors motivating Boston’s interest in Zubac is his resume as a consistent double‑double threat and his reputation as a strong rebounder and interior defender. During the previous NBA season, Zubac delivered career‑best numbers — averaging 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and over a block per game while shooting extremely efficiently. His defensive presence earned him recognition on the All‑Defensive Second Team, reinforcing his status as a two‑way player who could immediately bolster Boston’s big‑man rotation.
Analysts highlight that while players like Queta and Garza have contributed solid minutes, a proven big like Zubac could provide the Celtics with a more reliable anchor in the paint as they aim for deeper postseason success. His ability to consistently crash the boards and deter opponents around the rim could be exactly what Boston needs to supplement its perimeter talent and guard‑driven offense.
Despite the tangible allure of acquiring Zubac, there are multiple practical challenges that could prevent the trade from materializing. One major structural obstacle is the Stepien Rule, which restricts teams from trading consecutive future first‑round draft picks. Since Boston would need to offer valuable draft capital to entice the Clippers, maneuvering around this rule adds complexity to the negotiation process and could limit the types of packages Boston can legally propose.
In addition to draft restrictions, the Celtics must weigh whether parting with major assets for Zubac would compromise their depth, especially when other rotational players have contributed to Boston’s success this season. Financially, the team must also consider how adding Zubac’s salary will affect future flexibility, including the ability to pursue other frontcourt upgrades or retain key contributors long‑term without pushing too far into luxury tax territory.
The broader NBA landscape also plays into how the Celtics approach the trade deadline. Other teams have shown interest in Zubac, including the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets, creating a potentially competitive market for his services should the Clippers decide to explore trade options. This external interest underscores Zubac’s value around the league and complicates Boston’s calculus: if rival teams are willing to offer significant assets, Boston might have to match or exceed competing offers to secure a deal.
Meanwhile, the Clippers themselves must decide whether retaining Zubac aligns with their long‑term vision, especially given their current standing in the Western Conference. The Clippers have experienced organizational challenges this season, and while they have not publicly committed to moving him, the possibility of a significant rebuild and a willingness to entertain offers adds to the intrigue surrounding Zubac’s potential availability.
For the Celtics coaching staff, adding a proven interior presence like Zubac would provide strategic flexibility and allow head coach Joe Mazzulla to deploy different lineups in crucial moments. Current Celtics bigs have shown they can compete, but the addition of a true paint anchor could help Boston control rebounds, protect the rim more effectively, and open up spacing opportunities for perimeter stars such as Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
If star forward Jayson Tatum returns from injury as expected, pairing him and Brown with a dominant center in Zubac could create a more balanced and versatile rotation that stretches from the paint to the perimeter. Achieving that balance is a priority for Boston’s front office as they refine their playoff identity and transition from regular‑season success to championship contention.
On the fan side, Celtics supporters have voiced mixed reactions to the idea of trading for a center of Zubac’s caliber. Some fans see him as the missing piece that could bolster Boston’s interior defense and rebounding after a season full of ups and downs in the frontcourt. Others caution against sacrificing future draft capital or key role players for a mid‑season acquisition that could disrupt team chemistry. Social media platforms and fan forums have become hotbeds of speculation, with supporters debating various trade packages and alternative targets that could improve the team without overpaying.
The intense interest from the fan base reflects how crucial the trade deadline has become for Boston’s aspirations — a moment where strategic decisions could have lasting implications on the team’s trajectory.
Looking beyond Zubac, the Celtics are reportedly exploring other potential trade targets at center as part of a broader effort to improve their depth in the frontcourt. Names like Daniel Gafford and Nic Claxton have also been mentioned in trade discussions as possibilities that align with Boston’s needs, though each target comes with its own set of valuation challenges and fit considerations. Whether Boston ultimately pursues a blockbuster move for Zubac or opts for a different route, what is clear is that the organization is entering a pivotal period where decision‑making and negotiation acumen will be under intense scrutiny.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the Celtics evaluate their options, hoping that whatever moves are made will strengthen the team’s chances of competing for a title.
The urgency surrounding the trade deadline stems in part from the Celtics’ stronger‑than‑expected performance this season, exceeding many preseason projections and positioning themselves as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. With a lineup that has shown resilience despite injuries and roster changes, Boston’s front office has been lauded for maximizing the team’s talent. Yet the persistent narrative that the roster needs a more authoritative presence in the paint has catalyzed these trade conversations and pushed Boston toward considering more aggressive deadline moves than in previous seasons.
The combination of playoff aspiration, internal evaluation, and external interest in key targets has added layers of complexity and anticipation to a deadline that could define Boston’s championship window.
As the Celtics continue to shape their approach to the trade deadline, one of the most compelling storylines remains whether they will be able to consummate a deal for Ivica Zubac — a player whose skill set fits many of their needs but whose acquisition would require careful balancing of assets, strategy, and long‑term planning. Whether Boston ultimately lands Zubac, pursues another big man, or holds steady with internal options, the decision will be closely examined by fans, media, and rival front offices alike.
With the February 5 deadline drawing closer, every move and rumor adds fuel to the narrative of a Celtics team eager to solidify its identity and make a definitive statement about its title aspirations.
