After practically gutting their roster over the summer, the Boston Celtics should be keeping their eyes open for front-court upgrades. As they ramp up for the start of the 2025-26 season, they will likely start the year evaluating what they have at center.
I can save them some time: they don't have much with Chris Boucher, Luke Garza, and Neemias Queta. Some of that isn't on them, with Al Horford and Luke Kornet both leaving in free agency. However, they traded Kristaps Porzingis, exasperating their biggest flaw.
Luckily for them, they may have been gifted the perfect trade target. Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler isn't expected to reach an agreement on an extension that will keep him from hitting restricted free agency next summer.
Walker Kessler on potentially not getting an extension: "I'm definitely a little frustrated ... as long as I have a Utah Jazz jersey on I will play winning basketball."
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) September 29, 2025
That means that he could be available ahead of the trade deadline for any teams looking for a young, talented big man. As a result, the Celtics should be very interested in Kessler.
The Boston Celtics must trade for Walker Kessler this season
The Celtics' current center rotation is among the worst in the NBA, and Kessler would be an immediate upgrade over all three players. He is barely 24 years old—young for a center considering many play deep into their 30s. Kessler is also one of the best rebounders and rim protectors in the NBA.
While he is relatively limited offensively, once Jayson Tatum is healthy, he, alongside Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, will shoulder most of the offensive load. That means Kessler could thrive with the Celtics, doing what he does best.
Boston probably doesn't have championship aspirations this season, but their hole at center will be a problem that carries into next season if not resolved. There is also an underrated reason why the Celtics should target Kessler: Jazz CEO Danny Ainge.
He has ties to Boston as a former player and executive. Ainge might be more willing to help the Celtics compared to the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been interested in Kessler for a while.
Walker Kessler could be well worth the potential cost for the Celtics
It might cost the Celtics at least a first-round pick and matching salary, but that could well be worth it if Kessler is a legit starting-caliber center on a championship-caliber team.
Last season—his first full season as a starter—he averaged an impressive 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, including a league-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Those aren't necessarily all-star numbers.
Still, they hint that he could be a highly productive big man that excels on the glass, is capable enough as a scorer, and is terrific at swatting shots. If he can be that player for Boston when they are at full strength, then Kessler should be at the top of the Celtics' potential trade targets during the season.
All in all, the Celtics will almost certainly need an upgrade at center this season. If the price is right, they should target Jazz center Walker Kessler, potentially giving them a big upgrade in both the short and long term.