The Boston Celtics were relatively quiet at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The team's only move was a financial one, as Boston sent guard Jaden Springer to the Houston Rockets for a pick swap, saving Boston $15 million in luxury tax penalties.
In trading Springer for no returning player, the Celtics created a new opportunity. Boston now has 13 guys on standard contracts. They will need to add a 14th in the coming weeks per league rules, and can get to a full 15-man roster before the postseason in April. That could mean signing a free agent or becoming active on the buyout market, but Boston could also elect to upgrade one of their two-way contracts and promote a G League player from the Maine Celtics.
Ahead of Boston's game against the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night, team president Brad Stevens spoke about what might come next for the Celtics roster.
Stevens said the team will work quickly to fill the 14th roster spot, and will indeed consider one of the Maine Celtics players like Drew Peterson, JD Davison, or Anton Watson. He said whether or not the team moves forward in upgrading one of their two-way guys will largely depend on team need.
"We have 13 guys right now," Stevens said. "We'll probably do something with the 14th relatively soon, and then we'll take our time with the 15th and really assess our health and needs and those types of things as we go on."
Stevens neglected to highlight the play of any one two-way player, but commended the effort they have shown thus far this season.
"I won't get into any particular players. I think all of our guys have done a great job. It will be more based on the needs of the Celtics," Stevens added.
Stevens and the Celtics can sign a free agent who isn't currently on an NBA club if they like the status quo with their G League players. Boston may also sign a player who agrees to a contract buyout with his current club.
There are restrictions, however. As a second apron team, the Celtics may only sign a buyout guy who originally made $12.8 million or less in salary this season. That will put Boston out of the running for the biggest names who may become available in the coming days and weeks.
Regardless, Stevens did note a particular area of need in assessing any additions to the club.
"I think the first thing that we'll look to do is bring in a wing," Stevens said.
Sam Hauser and Jaylen Brown have both dealt with nagging injuries this season. Players like Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman may be a little too young to contribute to a deep playoff run.
The Celtics are destined to make some sort of roster transaction in the near future, a chance to improve the team with the postseason coming into focus.