Celtics Beat Episode 661: "Celtics Big Man Trade Targets" w/ Seth Landman

Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Adam Kaufman
Guests: Evan Valenti, Seth Landman

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Boston Celtics' current status approaching the NBA trade deadline, with a particular focus on the team's need for a big man and the uncertainty around Jason Tatum's potential return this season. Adam Kaufman, Evan Valenti, and analyst Seth Landman explore big-picture questions about the team's direction, possible trade targets, and the psychological dynamics affecting roster decisions. The tone is humorous, direct, and rooted in deep NBA/Celtics knowledge.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Review of the Celtics' overperforming season despite Tatum’s absence
• Detailed analysis of big-man trade targets and market reality
• Anthony Simons’ trade value, fit, and likelihood of being moved
• Discussion of Jason Tatum’s mental and physical readiness to return
• Long-term team-building strategy given roster and cap realities

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celtics’ Overachieving Roster and Young Wing Development

[04:25]

• Seth Landman admits he entered the season expecting a “lottery bound” Celtics team, but has been pleasantly surprised by their strong performance without Tatum.
• Unexpected rotation contributions from young wings like Jordan Walsh, Baylor Shireman, Hugo Gonzalez, and even Josh Minott have become a “revelation.”
  • Memorable quote:

    “Those guys being actual rotation players is like, sort of the important revelation from the season.” – Seth [04:25]

2. How Tatum’s Uncertainty Affects Ceiling and Deadline Approach

[06:10]

• If Tatum returns, Celtics could threaten to make the Finals due to a weak Eastern Conference.
• Without Tatum, the current group has hit an admirable ceiling but lacks real playoff upside.
  • The loss against Atlanta underscored the lack of depth at big, especially when current bigs underperform.

3. Trade Deadline Priorities: The Big Man Search

[10:05]

• Adam outlines the ideal trade target: A youngish big man, under contract for multiple years, who helps now and with Tatum next year.
• Seth provides a practical, almost exhaustive list of bigs around the NBA who might fit:
  • Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Smith, Jarrett Allen, Daniel Gafford, Isaiah Stewart, Isaiah Jackson/Jay Huff, Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez, Santi Aldama, Myles Turner, Wendell Carter, Jakob Poeltl, Nick Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, among others.
• Most “affordable and available” options are scarce; the market for young, high-level bigs under contract is extremely narrow.
  • Quote:

    “Even with the parameters you just laid out, you’ve actually narrowed it down to a very small list.” – Seth [10:05]

4. Simons’ Trade Value and Dilemma

[12:12 – 22:47]

• The hosts debate whether to use Simons’ large expiring contract for a win-now big or let his money come off the books (which, per cap realities, gives the Celtics no true FA flexibility).
• Celtics have reportedly offered Simons + picks for guys like Zubac and Vucevic but were rebuffed or didn’t pull the trigger.
• Seth’s favorite target is Nick Claxton, with the rationale that he’s complementary to existing bigs (Keda, Garza) and adds new dimensions.
  • Quote:

    “My favorite option here is trying to get Nick Claxton from the Nets…giving up some draft capital, getting him in the door, and having him be part of the team moving forward, that would be like a really great outcome for this deadline.” – Seth [18:13]

5. Market Scarcity for Big Men (Now & Summer)

[15:09, 16:11]

• The upcoming free agent big man market is described as “grim” – not a reliable way to address the need in July.
• Simons’ expiring is the only real opportunity to get a quality long-terms big before summer.
  • Quote:

    “It just doesn’t exist…It’s not like there’s a bunch of good bigs you can just go get for the mid-level.” – Evan [15:09]

6. Roster Priorities for Next Season

[34:03]

• Who’s a “keeper” for the 2026-27 season?
  • Core locks: Tatum, Brown, White (for performance and contract).
  • Next tier: Pritchard, Hauser (valuable, but could be traded if the right player is available).
  • Untouchable young wings: Gonzalez, Shireman, Walsh (“absolute keepers” due to upside and rookie-scale contracts).
  • Bigs: Keda, Garza (rotation-level and cheap).
• Minott is less of a priority due to contract/extension limitations.
  • Quote:

    “That’s the holy grail…guys who could be signed to, like, the kinds of extensions that they got Hauser and Pritchard on in the past.” – Seth [35:32]

7. Organizational Dynamics: Bill Chisum Era & Cap Realities

[37:17–40:04]

• Celtics’ cap situation is such that even letting Simons walk won’t get them under the cap.
• The choice: keep being modest spenders, or use Simons' contract as a rare vehicle to take on meaningful salary.
• How aggressive will the new ownership group be compared to “Wyc and Danny" days?
  • “Wyc put his money where his mouth was…we don’t know what Bill’s [Chisum] mandate is…” – Evan [36:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On young wings’ emergence:

  “Those guys being actual rotation players is like, sort of the important revelation from the season.” -- Seth [04:25]

• Market scarcity for big men:

  "It's grim...you're looking at some guys have club options...the point is, it just doesn't exist." -- Evan [15:09]

• On Nick Claxton as a deadline target:

  “He does such different stuff than Keda and Garza…He can switch a lot on defense, block shots, a really good passer...having him be part of the team moving forward, that would be like a really great outcome for this deadline.” – Seth [18:13]

• On Simons’ trade likelihood:

  “You're not going to just trade him to trade him. You're going to trade him because you believe you're getting someone in the door who can help you, who’s on the team next year in a way that matters.” -- Adam [57:54]

• On Tatum’s candidness:

  “He seemed really vulnerable…That’s why it’s a little bit confusing…it’s a true moment of vulnerability and he was vulnerable without being crystal clear.” – Seth [45:25]

  “You could imagine a world where he sees the team doing so well and doesn’t want to screw it up. You could imagine a world where he feels jealous about it…I felt sort of moved by it, actually.” – Seth [45:25]

• On Joe Mazzulla’s leadership:

  "Joe Mazzulla allows [Tatum] to feel comfortable in being vulnerable. That's a ton of power from a head coach...it goes beyond the X's and O's." -- Evan [49:23]

• Funny banter and self-awareness:

  "All six of you. Bill, Ted, Tyrone, thanks all for being here with us." -- Adam [02:56]

  "The literally tens of people." -- Seth [02:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and Banter – [00:00–03:07]
• Season Review: Surpassing Expectations – [03:07–05:59]
• Tatum’s Impact & Ceiling for 2026 – [05:59–07:30]
• Trade Deadline: Team Needs and Approach – [07:30–10:05]
• Big Man Target List & Deadline Mechanics – [10:05–15:09]
• Free Agent Big Market Woes – [15:09–16:11]
• Simons Trade Asset Analysis – [22:47–29:57]
• Roster “Keepers” for Next Year – [31:24–35:32]
• Ownership/Front Office Philosophies – [36:59–40:04]
• Trade Deadline Priorities with or without Tatum – [40:22–41:06]
• Jason Tatum’s Candid Confession & Return Odds – [41:06–53:23]
  • Notable Tatum quote:

    "There's a thought in my head like, how does this work?" [47:30]

• Gut Predictions: Will Tatum Return? – [52:22–54:36]
• Anthony Simons: Will He Be Traded? – [56:01–58:30]
• Closing & Final Banter – [59:16–end]

Flow & Tone

The episode weaves thoughtful, stats-driven analysis (courtesy of Seth) with locker-room humor and inside references between long-standing collaborators Adam and Evan. The discussion shifts naturally between detailed, process-heavy breakdowns, and lighthearted, self-effacing asides.

Summary Takeaways

• The Celtics’ unexpected competitiveness is a major storyline, and the emergence of young wings is huge for sustainability.
• The market for the type of long-term contributing big the Celtics need is very thin—Claxton is the panel’s top (realistic) prize.
• Anthony Simons is likely to be shopped hard as an expiring, but only for a player who fits the current and future roster well; otherwise, he could remain.
• The Celtics have a rare moment to use Simons’ contract to reshape the team—waiting until the summer dries up all options.
• Jason Tatum’s very personal, vulnerable comments about his doubt to return this season add fresh complexity; his physical readiness is likely close, but the mental piece lingers.
• Team and ownership philosophy around the deadline will set the course for the next era.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a “state of the Celtics” address before a pivotal trade deadline. It’s for diehards who obsess over cap mechanics, young player upside, and emotions behind the headlines—providing both information and entertaining banter. While there’s no way to predict exactly what the Celtics will do, the conversation crystallizes the dilemmas facing Brad Stevens and the front office.

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