20 Boston Celtics big man targets (and the tools to get them) graded

The Boston Celtics need some help in their frontcourt rotation after an early postseason exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. With it looking unlikely for vet big man Nikola Vucevic to return for a major role with the team if at all, the first round postseason defeat showed that while Neemias Queta and Luka Garza can be an important part of Boston's frontcourt of the future, they are also not ready to run it.

Thankfully for the Celtics, the same moves that likely hurt their playoff efficacy also has given them some tools to add a player to the roster apart from simply making the dollar-for-dollar or less deals being a second apron ball club limited them to last offseason. So let's take a look at the field of options with at least a small chance of being pried from their current contexts based on where their 2026-27 salary falls among those tools, with a combined grade on their fit in terms of play style, contract length and size, and age curve for Boston of great, good, acceptable, and poor.

We won't speculate on the cost in trades for an exercise this expansive, but it should give you the framework with which to construct such hypothetical deals.

Anfernee Simons Traded Player Exception (TPE) - 27.7 million

Dec 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Kam Jones (7) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Can be used to trade deadline - cannot be aggregated, can be used to take in several players

Draymond Green (GSW) - $27.6m

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics loses control of the ball against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Fit - acceptable; bad fit in terms of age, but style fits, short deal,

Myles Turner (MIL) - $26.5m

Apr 3, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Fit - poor; long deal, questionable production vs. cost

Nic Claxton (BKY) - $23.1m

Nov 13, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) passes the ball as Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Fit - good; age, contract length a plus, play style not seamless

PJ Washington (DAL) - $19.8m

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics battle for a loose ball against P.J. Washington #25 and Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter in Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Fit - great; age, play style, contract length all very good fit - size a minor concern

Jakob Poeltl (TOR) - $19.5m

Dec 7, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh (27) defends against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Fit - poor - age okay, but contract length terrible, health a question mark, style not ideal

Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL) - $18.1m

Apr 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Luka Garza (52) defends Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr (34) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Fit - good; play style, age, contract length all good matches

Daniel Gafford (DAL) - $17.2m

Feb 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives the ball against Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Fit - good; age, style, contract length solid fits

Santi Aldama (MEM) - $17m

Oct 8, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Boston Celtics forward Chris Boucher (99) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Fit - great; age, style, great matches, contract a bit short though

Non Taxpayer Mid-level Exception - $15m

Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The NBA logo is seen on the court before thegame between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Can be used to sign one or more players to deals up to, in total, $15m, not exceeding four years in length.

Obi Toppin (IND) - $15m

May 23, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half during game two of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Fit - good, solid play style, value, plays above height

Bobby Portis (MIL) - $14.5m

Dec 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball while Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Fit - good - solid play style, value, a little small

Jonathan Isaac (ORL) - $14.5m

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics lays up a shot against Jonathan Isaac #1 and Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic in the first half at Kia Center on November 09, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Fit - acceptable; solid play style, but health, contract size/length a concern

Grant Williams (CHA) - $14.2m

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) returns to the bench during a break against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Fit - acceptable to poor; play style can be helpful, but size, accepting role concerns

Jonas Valanciunas (DEN) - $10m

Feb 25, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts after he thought he was fouled during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Fit - acceptable; play style solid, but age, production concerns

Jalen Smith (CHI) - $9.4m

Jan 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (7) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Fit - good; play style, age a match; production a question for value

Brook Lopez (LAC) - $9.1m

Jan 3, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots the ball against LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) and forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fit: acceptable; play style good, but age, production serious concerns

Georges Niang TPE ($8.2m)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 19: Georges Niang #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts alongside Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at TD Garden on November 19, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Can be used by 8/6/26 - cannot be aggregated, can be used to take in several players

Day'Ron Sharpe (BKY) - $6.2m

Nov 18, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (20) dunks against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Fit - good, solid if duplicative play style, good age/value

Al Horford (GSW) - $5.9m

Feb 19, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (20) looks for an open teammate over Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Fit - good to acceptable; near-ideal style fit, but availability/age concerns

Jrue Holiday TPE (4.7m)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics is defended by Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 10, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Can be used by 7/7/26 - cannot be aggregated, can be used to take in several players

Yves Missi (NOP) - $3.5m

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Center Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics shoots over center Yves Missi #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of the NBA game at Smoothie King Center on October 27, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Fit - good; solid style, great age; production still raw/question mark

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: 20 Celtics big man targets (and the tools to get them) graded