The Boston Celtics are heading into a pivotal 2026 offseason, and the pressure is on to make moves that can reignite a championship window that seems to be closing faster than expected.

After jumping out to a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics watched their season crumble in heartbreaking fashion. Inexplicable defensive lapses and ice-cold perimeter shooting down the stretch turned a surefire series win into yet another premature May exit. It's a pattern that has become all too familiar in Boston, and one that demands serious roster retooling.

Enter the trade rumor mill. Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley has floated an intriguing name that could inject some much-needed firepower into Boston's second unit: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe. The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter, who already has an NBA championship ring from his time with the Thunder, is under contract for $48 million—and he might be available if OKC looks to ease its climbing payroll.

"Too often this postseason the Celtics found themselves desperately searching for—and ultimately failing to find—ignitable scoring and steady shotmaking from their support staff," Buckley noted. "Joe could help simplify those searches."

And the numbers back that up. Joe has been a model of consistency from beyond the arc, posting a better than 40% three-point shooting percentage in each of his four seasons as a rotation regular. That kind of reliable, lights-out shooting is exactly what Boston's bench has been missing in high-leverage moments.

Of course, the Celtics already have some designated distance shooters on the roster, so the front office will need to weigh whether the asking price is worth it. But for a team that just watched its season slip away due to perimeter struggles, a proven spark plug like Joe could be the difference between another early vacation and a deep playoff run.

Whether Boston pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Celtics can't afford to stand pat. In a league where shooting wins championships, Joe might be the perfect piece to help Boston find its range again.