According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with the NBA trade deadline roughly two weeks away, the Boston Celtics are searching for ways to become better. One growing solution is to become stronger at the center position.

Charania describes Brad Stevens and Boston as “aggressive” in terms of their approach to acquiring a high-level starting center.

“They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially,” Charania said about Boston’s approach to the trade deadline. “They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets. They’ve got contracts to play with.”

Two players have been connected to the Celtics: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ivica Zubac. These two players are a realistic option for the Celtics, as they have expiring contracts to dish out (Anfernee Simons) and majority of their first-round picks being owned by them. Plus, let’s not forget, a $22.5 million traded player exception.

With them shedding enough salary during the offseason to get under the second apron, Boston has positioned themselves in such a way to maintain being below that threshold while potentially acquiring a massive addition to their organization.

Right now, Boston is second in the Eastern Conference, with them having a record of 28-16.

According to the man himself, soon to be confirmed through an MRI, Giannis Antetokounmpo has suffered a right calf strain and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This would sideline him through the trade deadline and the NBA All-Star Game.

Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during Friday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. Many speculated that he seemed off all game, which, at one point, head coach Doc Rivers took him out of the game because he didn’t like what he was seeing on the court.

The 31-year-old was seen on the bench watching his team play the remaining minutes of the fourth quarter. After the game, he sat on the bench talking to his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, for a couple of minutes.

“After the MRI, they’ll probably tell me I popped something in my calf and probably give me a protocol of 4-6 weeks I’ll be out. After that, I’m going to work my butt off to come back probably end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team can at least make the Play-In (Tournament) or playoffs,” said Antetokounmpo after the game. 

He has already missed time this season, eight games to be exact, due to a right calf strain. This has been a nagging injury for the superstar.

With the deadline coming up and the team currently 18-26, reports have intensified about the current state of the team and Giannis’ future with the organization. Teams like the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors have been linked to him as a potential new home.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies will be without superstar Ja Morant for three weeks due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow. This injury was suffered during their game on January 21st.

This current timeline will see him sidelined through the NBA trade deadline, as he is a strong trade candidate on the market right now. The deadline is February 5th.

While it’s unknown if his latest injury will affect teams interest in the point guard, it is currently reported that Morant has a limited market. The Miami Heat have been a consistent team attached to the 26-year-old the last couple of weeks.