If the Boston Celtics were to lose Luke Kornet and/or Xavier Tillman Sr. in the offseason to opportunistic franchises in free agency, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes the Cs can pursue Indiana Pacers big man Isaiah Jackson via trade; particularly because of Al Horford’s age and Kristaps Porzingis’s injury woes, which have returned in the 2024 playoffs.
“…depth at center should remain a focus, especially if free agency lures away one or both of Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman,” Buckley wrote. “If the Celtics have holes to fill up front, Isaiah Jackson could be a really intriguing target.
“A first-round pick in 2021, he hasn’t found a ton of minutes on some crowded frontcourts in Indiana, but when he gets the call, he provides an immediate jolt of shot-blocking and above-the-rim finishing. He could really shine on the back line of this defense and on the receiving end of lob passes from Boston’s many playmakers.”
Jackson has seen his shot attempts per game plummet in 2023-24, likely signaling that it’s time to move on from Indiana. The midseason acquisition of Pascal Siakam and the offseason addition of Obi Toppin shifted Jackson to the back of the bench. Competing with Jarace Walker and Jalen Smith, Jackson has become an afterthought for the Pacers.
In Boston, though, he’d have a chance to become a somewhat regular contributor in the event teams poach Kornet and Tillman.