Locked On Celtics Podcast

Episode Date: January 14, 2026
Host: John Karalis
Guest: Tom Westerholm
Topic: Trade Rumors – "Boston Celtics 'would love' Jaren Jackson Jr. | Is it even possible?"

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Karalis and Tom Westerholm dive deep into the latest Boston Celtics trade rumors, specifically addressing the buzz around Jaren Jackson Jr. and Daniel Gafford. The duo critically examines the financial realities behind these rumors, the team’s recent tendency to focus on officiating, and what realistic options exist for the Celtics as the NBA trade deadline approaches. This episode is an engaging mix of salary cap analysis, skepticism about rumors, and classic Celtics humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Celtics’ Ref Complaints & Culture of Blame

[01:11 – 13:06]

• Joe Mazzulla’s press conference fallout:
  The episode opens with Karalis and Westerholm venting their exhaustion over the Celtics’ recent fixation on questionable officiating decisions following tough losses.
  • Karalis: “I hate, hate, hate… just making it about the refs because… You could have done 10 other things. Joe Mazzulla loves to say, 10 to 15, you could have done a few other things to make this game less… tight.” (04:21)
  • Westerholm: “I’m tired of it. If it wasn’t for the refs, the Celtics would be well on their way to a 73-win season… That’s not going to result in good things.” (05:39, 08:13)
• Leadership Setting the Tone:
  Westerholm pins the trickle-down effect on both Jaylen Brown and Mazzulla, arguing that the team leadership needs to set a culture of resilience rather than deflection.
  • “Jaylen Brown started this… You are still the leader of the team, both of you.” (07:57)
• On the missed call:
  Both acknowledge the missed illegal screen was real, and Karalis insists egregious calls should always be made regardless of the situation.
  • Karalis: “A foul is a foul… an illegal screen is… a difference between letting some contact go and letting an illegal screen like that go.” (11:09)

2. Trade Rumors & Jaren Jackson Jr.: Fantasy vs. Reality

[13:06 – 24:03]

• The “We’d Love to Have Jaren Jackson Jr.” Meme:
  • The Celtics being rumored to “love” Jaren Jackson Jr. is compared with fans dreaming of buying Aston Martins or guitars—realistic in desire, but not feasible financially.
    • Karalis: “The Celtics would reportedly love to get Jaren Jackson Jr. In a related note, I would love to buy myself an Aston Martin… do people understand where I’m getting at here? Jaren Jackson Jr. is super expensive.” (16:25)
• Financial and Roster Realities:
  • Karalis breaks down Jackson’s escalating contract: $35M this year, ballooning to $52M by 2029.
  • The show emphasizes the cap’s “second apron” and notes Boston is already financially locked in with Tatum and Brown.
    • Karalis: “We’re talking about $160, $170 million with those three players. Did we not just do the whole second apron thing?” (17:44)
• Would Jackson Even Fit?
  • Westerholm: “You are locking your team in…this championship window… is then set. There is not a lot of fiddling you can do around the edges.” (19:05)
  • Both argue that unless you’re trading Jaylen Brown—a move neither supports—Jackson isn’t a realistic addition, and the Celtics will likely focus on adding around their main core.

3. Daniel Gafford as Plan B: Value Over Splash

[24:03 – 32:47]

• Comparing Gafford to Jackson:
  Karalis describes Gafford as “not Jaren Jackson Jr. production”—but the salary difference is huge and Gafford arguably offers better value under the current CBA.
  • Karalis: “You’re not getting $30 million less production… the value is better for Gafford because you can make a move…” (27:23)
• Would You Trade for Gafford or Keep Simons?
  • Westerholm would prefer Anthony Simons and internal options like Neemias Queta to using assets on Gafford.
    • Westerholm: “I’d rather have the variety, I’d rather have the bucket getting…than bringing in somebody who…I don’t know to what degree better than Keda is he gonna be?” (29:15)
  • Both prefer to use the Celtics’ resources to maintain roster versatility.

4. Ideal Target Profiles & Aggregation Caution

[32:47 – 37:38]

• Zubac as the Best Fit:
  Karalis identifies Ivica Zubac as the most attractive rumored target due to his contract, on-court fit, and overall value.
  • Karalis: “That’s the type of player—a good two-way player—that would be a decent fit…Zubac kind of is that guy.” (33:58)
  • Westerholm agrees, noting Zubac “really does hit the middle of that needle.”
• Discernment in Rumor Season:
  The hosts emphasize the need to separate real possibility from agent-driven rumor, especially with Boston’s name being used as a catch-all in speculation.
  • Westerholm: “If it doesn’t make too much sense, it probably isn’t gonna happen…trust your intuition.” (36:40)
  • Karalis: “We’re in this age of everything being amplified…amplification without thinking…I think is the problem.” (36:06)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On repeated ref complaints:
  “I don't want this to be like an opening where every time the refs blow a call, the Celtics just lean into the—oh god, we're doing it again…We can't have this be the identity.”
  – John Karalis, [06:45]

• On trade rumor logic:
  “The Celtics would reportedly love to get Jaren Jackson Jr. In a related note, Tom, I would love to buy myself an Aston Martin.”
  – John Karalis, [16:25]

• On the financial blockade:
  “Did we not just do the whole second apron thing? …I don't understand how the Celtics get Jaren Jackson Jr. and pay him all that money and keep the guys they have here together.”
  – John Karalis, [17:44]

• On locker room culture:
  “You guys set the culture here…The ball finds energy…complaining about the refs, that's not going to result in good things.”
  – Tom Westerholm, [07:57, 08:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ref Complaints & Team Culture – [01:11 – 13:06]
• Jaren Jackson Jr. Rumor Deep Dive – [13:06 – 24:03]
• Daniel Gafford vs. Internal Bigs – [24:03 – 32:47]
• Best Targets and Rumor Caution – [32:47 – 37:38]

Summary & Takeaways

• The Celtics’ locker room has developed a concerning habit of blaming officials, which both hosts argue is counterproductive for team culture and success.
• Jaren Jackson Jr. would be a dream fit talent-wise, but the financial realities of the NBA’s new cap structure make such a trade almost impossible unless Boston is willing to break up its superstar duo—an outcome neither Karalis nor Westerholm see as likely or desirable.
• Daniel Gafford offers more plausible value but probably isn’t enough of an upgrade to justify giving up mid-tier contracts or sacrificing depth.
• Ivica Zubac is identified as a more realistic and optimal target due to his fit and contract, but the overall message is clear: Most rumors are “smoke,” and smart fans should use their intuition to sort serious discussions from click-bait.
• The show closes by reminding listeners it’s “silly season,” and not to believe every aggregated headline involving the Celtics.

Final Word:
“If it doesn’t make too much sense, it probably isn’t gonna happen…Trust your intuition during this season.”
– Tom Westerholm [36:40]