Locked On Celtics Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Will Boston Celtics Make a SHOCK Move Before the Trade Deadline?
Host: John Corrales (with guest Tom Westerholm)
Air Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

John Corrales and Tom Westerholm dive into the looming NBA trade deadline, discussing whether the Boston Celtics are poised to make any moves—shocking or otherwise. Rather than sensational predictions, the episode offers a grounded, analytical look at the Celtics' roster, realistic trade targets, and the odds of a significant transaction. Through wide-ranging trade hypotheticals and careful breakdowns of fit, contract situations, and organizational philosophy, the hosts assess what (if anything) Boston should do before the deadline and why.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overall Approach to the Deadline

• Expecting Quiet:
  Corrales opens by saying he’s “okay with [the Celtics] being a little on the quiet side," suggesting that any move would likely be minor (03:09).

  • "If I had to say they would or would not make a trade, I think they will. I don’t think it’s going to be the kind of deal, like, people are going to make jokes about the deal on Twitter." (03:15)

• Brad Stevens’ Reputation:
  Westerholm notes a shift in fan perception: “People don’t talk about Brad that way... if the Celtics make a trade, people are going to pretty quickly talk themselves into ‘oof, I bet that guy’s gonna be pretty good.’” (04:46)

2. Evaluating “Big” Targets

• Out-of-Reach Names:
  Hosts eliminate top-tier targets as unrealistic:

  • "We're not looking at Vita Zubach... Jaren Jackson... Damonta Sabonis—too expensive." (04:49)

• Miles Turner Discussion:
  Corrales: “The most expensive name I would consider is Miles Turner... watched him look absolutely awful against the Celtics... It works as a straight-up trade [with Simons]." (05:47)

  • Both hosts agree he’d fit timeline- and skill-wise, but question if it would be worth breaking up current team chemistry.

  Notable Quote:

  • Corrales: “It’s like, either way, you’re like okay, sure. And if you don’t, yeah, no problem...” (09:25)

• Downsides and Role Fit:

  • Westerholm worries about team cohesion: “That’s such a big add at this current juncture… that changes everything you’ve been doing.” (07:22)
  • Corrales likens Turner to a TV show "recasting" Porzingis: “That new character has to be damn good...” (09:46)

  Memorable Exchange:

  • Westerholm: “I do love that going to get Turner would solve precisely zero of the rebounding issues.” (10:54)
  • Corrales: “Well, and that’s the thing—that would be the argument against in a big way.” (11:02)

3. Mid-Tier & “Movable” Names

• Yusuf Nurkic:
  Corrales brings up Nurkic as a possible target, mainly noting his expiring contract (16:20). Westerholm acknowledges his quality but isn't overly excited: “I can kinda take it or leave it with Nurkic… I err on the side of just keeping [the team] going.” (17:22)

  • Notable Logic:
    Nurkic could be re-signed for less, freeing up future cap flexibility: “You can sign him for 10 [million], and you don’t have to use an exception to do it.” (18:56)

• Santi Aldama:
  Corrales floats Aldama for his shooting and developmental upside—even if not a traditional center.
  Westerholm is positive: “There’s a lot of stuff that he can do… if that is who the Celtics pick up at the deadline, I think that’d be a pretty good piece of business.” (21:59)

• Nas Reid & Multi-Team Potential:
  Mentioned as a possible target if the Celtics can “snag one of these guys” in a multi-team blockbusters (e.g., if MIN gets aggressive for Giannis). Both see it as unlikely, but not impossible given Boston’s creative front office. (22:24–23:10)

4. “Solid Depth” or Reclamation Swings

• Goga Bitadze for Sam Hauser:
  Corrales proposes trading Hauser for Bitadze, who’d offer size and interior presence.
  Westerholm quickly vetoes: “I would rather have Hauser… the explodability… he could just give you 12 points in a minute and a half…” (28:05)

• Zeke Nnaji for Josh Minott:
  A “reclamation project” possibility—that makes more sense. Corrales: “If you’re taking swings… [Boston has] done well… with reclamation guys. I don’t see a downside.” (32:18)

  Westerholm: “If it’s a Josh Minot for Zeke Nnaji… why not? You’re not using [Minot], give him a chance somewhere else… why not?” (32:47)

• Jordan Walsh Limits:
  Both clearly won’t trade rotation or young high-upside players for marginal upgrades.
  Westerholm: “I would not do Jordan Walsh.” (35:20)

5. Wild Card & Other Names

• Eve Mece (New Orleans):
  Intriguing due to low salary, but both agree there’s little reason for the Pelicans to move him (33:44–34:56).

• Bobby Portis Mention:
  Corrales: “I’m more willing to trade Sam Houser in the right deal. I don’t think Bitadze is the right deal for Sam Houser, but Portis... would work and people would love him.” (36:42)

  Westerholm: “Boston would end up loving that.” (36:49)

6. The “Stay Put” Option

• If Nothing Happens? That’s Fine.
  Westerholm: "If the Celtics don't do anything, that's okay. It's fine." (37:09)

  • “This team is probably going to win a championship... I do know they've got one heck of a player coming back... it is a very valid option to go through this trade deadline and just let it go.” (37:16–37:56)

• Corrales Agrees:

  • Any “big” move would more likely come in the offseason, not now (37:56–38:12).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brad Stevens’ Trade Reputation

  • Westerholm: “I almost feel like if the Celtics make a trade, people are going to pretty quickly talk themselves into ‘oof, I bet that guy’s gonna be pretty good.’” (04:46)

• On Potential Moves

  • Corrales: "The most expensive name I would consider is Miles Turner... But there’s a lot of people who are like, ‘yeah, but—’ and I’m like yeah, also that." (07:16)

• Trade Deadline Realism

  • Corrales: “None of these [mid-tier targets] are moving the needle for me.” (18:07)

• Why Run It Back?

  • Westerholm: “I err more on the side of inertia and the fact that the Celtics are what, 31 and 18, right? I err more on the side of just keeping that going.” (17:39)

• On Hauser-for-Bitadze Suggestion

  • Westerholm: “I would rather have Hauser. I would rather have the shooting... he could just give you 12 points in a minute and a half and all of a sudden the game is different. I would just rather have that guy.” (28:05)

• On Minor “Reclamation” Trades

  • Westerholm: “If it’s a Josh Minot for a Zeke Nnaji, I have no problem with [it]. Yeah. Take a swing. Why not?” (32:47)

• Team Status

  • Westerholm: “If the Celtics don’t do anything, that’s okay. It’s fine.” (37:09)

Key Segments & Timestamps

[03:09] Trade Deadline Philosophy—Small moves, expectation-setting
[05:47] Miles Turner discussion—fit, costs, chemistry
[16:20] Yusuf Nurkic as a hypothetical target
[18:56] Nurkic, cap strategy, and “Bird Rights” angle
[20:25] Santi Aldama as a “developable” stretch big
[21:58] Aldama & Nas Reid—stretch/size/talent profiles
[28:05] Hauser-Bitadze swap—value of shooting off the bench
[32:47] Zeke Nnaji/Josh Minot—pro-reclamation swings
[35:20] Where to draw the line on assets (Jordan Walsh, etc.)
[36:42] Bobby Portis as an ideal but unlikely fit
[37:09] Overarching message—standing pat is perfectly acceptable

Final Takeaway

This episode makes it clear that the Celtics are in a strong position and don’t need to force a move. Both hosts emphasize the value of stability, team chemistry, and not sacrificing depth for marginal upgrades. They explore several reasonable, minor trade ideas, but uniformly agree that a blockbuster is highly unlikely—and unnecessary. The message to Celtics fans: trust the process, be happy with what you have, and be ready for a potentially bigger move in the offseason rather than expecting dramatic fireworks at the deadline.

For further insight, check out John Corrales on Celtics on SI and Tom Westerholm on Boston.com. Questions for future mailbags can be submitted at johncorrales.com/mailbag.

This summary has carefully preserved the tone, back-and-forth dynamic, and practical optimism of the original conversation, providing Celtics fans and NBA observers a comprehensive, timestamped guide to the episode’s content.