I wonder how many fanbases in the league are like:
"Wow, I wonder what it would take to get Daniel Theis from the Celtics. Our team really needs a defensively versatile big man like Theis."
How about none?
Since we were playing the Magic last night, I would argue that Theis is a Khem Birch level of player. No one is proposing a trade for Khem Birch. Likewise, no one is proposing a trade for Theis. Only difference is that Theis plays for a well-run team, hence his teammates/coaches make him look better than he actually is.
What exactly is Theis good at?
- above average shot blocker (2.5 blocks per 36 mins --> 14th in the league among qualified players)
- average rebounder (9.6 boards per 36 mins --> 49th in the league among qualified players)
- can be the roll man in pick n roll plays
- switches ball screens on D (which is rather obvious since he's undersized at the 5)
That's about it. Is this a legit starting-caliber big man (especially for a team that wants to make a deep playoff run)? There are numerous PFs-Cs who can do all those things. Not to mention, his blocking + rebounding stats are probably inflated cause he's playing next to an undersized 4 in Tatum.