The Boston Celtics are playing well above expectations to start the 2025-26 season. What started as a transition year has turned into a season with real aspirations. After winning seven of their last eight games, the Celtics are third in the Eastern Conference with a 15-9 record. With a wide-open East, the Celtics have as good a chance as anyone to make a deep postseason run, even if Jayson Tatum doesn't return this season.
This also increases the chances of a trade before the deadline. GM Brad Stevens is likely smelling blood in the water and will not leave any stone unturned. If he is to pursue a trade, here are the four likeliest Celtics who will most likely be on the move.
4. Xavier Tillman Sr.
The Celtics would almost certainly like to replace Tillman with a better center on the roster. The 26-year-old has largely been out of the rotation despite Boston's need for a backup center. In fact, Tillman hasn't been able to carve out a role for himself since he was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline.
Tillman remains a decent defensive option with his switchability but he is a very limited offensive player. In Joe Mazzulla's system, there isn't much room for a big who can't do much on offense. If there is any team willing to give up a second-round pick for Tillman, he will be out the door. The only reason he is this low on the list is that there might not be a team desperate enough to do so.
3. Chris Boucher
The Celtics had high hopes for Chris Boucher when they signed him in the offseason. The nine-year veteran had a productive career with the Raptors as a floor-spacing big who can also protect the rim. His potential two-way ability made the 32-year-old an intriguing option for the Celtics' frontcourt. 24 games into the season, however, and Boucher is already out of the rotation.
Boucher has not played for the Celtics since November 23. He is firmly behind Neemias Queta in the rotation, and Joe Mazzulla has been relying on small-ball lineups in recent weeks. Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman have seen playing time here and there, but Boucher has not been seen in action. His $2.3 million expiring salary could be used in a deal once he becomes trade-eligible on December 15.
2. Sam Hauser
The sharpshooting forward is in the first year of the four-year, $45 million extension he signed with the Celtics. The 28-year-old has not seen an uptick in playing time or role despite the changes to the roster. He is still averaging 22 minutes per game and has a usage rate of 14% like last season. He has seen a dip in his shooting numbers as he is making a career-low 36.4% of his 3-pointers, which has played a huge part in his poor 52.8% True Shooting.
That level of inefficiency is unacceptable for a player who provides no value in other aspects of the game. Hauser is still a valuable shooter, and he will shoot better than this, but he is clearly not worth his eight-figure salary. If the Celtics want to make a win-now move before the second half of the season, using Hauser's salary in a trade makes a ton of sense.
1. Anfernee Simons
Simons is Boston's ticket to a high-profile trade. It's not necessarily his skill set that makes him an enticing trade chip, but his $27.6 million expiring salary. For teams trying to open up cap space in the offseason or bring in a talented player they can re-sign in the summer, Simons is a fascinating option. The Celtics could attach first-round picks to his salary and land most starting-caliber players on the trade block.
Even if the Celtics don't make a win-now trade, it makes little sense to keep Simons around. In all likelihood, the Celtics won't sign Simons to an extension in the summer. The team is already expensive, and there is very little use for an undersized guard when you have Derrick White and Payton Pritchard on the roster. Instead of losing Simons for nothing, though, the Celtics will look to get some draft capital, veteran help, or cap relief in a trade before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.