What is this obsession with getting a "true centre" when we have an excellent one in Theis and some decent situational ones like Robert, Grant and Kanter to match up against bigs that Theis struggles against?
I sadly don’t see Theis being able to stay long-term. Guys who were worse than him like ET and Olynyk got big offers in free agency that we struggled to come close to, and I feel like Theis will be similar sadly.
Turner signed with the Blazers in 2016 when the cap exploded from 70M to 94M. It was the same year the Warriors had enough cap space to sign KD. As for Kelly, we had to renounce him in order ro create max cap space for Hayward. If it weren't for Hayward, I bet we would have kept him.
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/07/celtics-rescind-kelly-olynyks-qualifying-offer.html
According to projections, the cap will plateau at 109M the next couple of years. It's possible that we can re-sign Theis on a reasonable contract next year.
@Somebody
Wouldn't go so far as to say that Theis is an "excellent" Center. Imo, he's an excellent fit in our defensive system, but he leaves a lot to be desired on the offensive side of the ball. Like you said, I wouldn't swap him for a traditional Center. At the same time, I agree with gouki88 that we should try to upgrade the Center position.
I guess a lot depends on the development of Williams and any bigs we potentially draft. I value Theis’ defence and screening very highly, but think he’s pretty shocking offensively and as a rebounder. Would be happy to see us replace him if he starts looking for a significant contract upgrade
Good thoughts. If we replaced Theis with a guy good at scoring/defense but bad at screening, our offense would look very different. Theis does the little things well. If we can find someone who is a bit better in some areas but is still a high-end team defender and screener, great! I'm not really interested in a flashy big man that can't do the little things to enable Tatum, Brown, and Walker to be great.
That type of big man is really rare lol.
Yes. That's why upgrading Theis isn't as easy at it seems. Setting a good is as much a talent as scoring the basketball. So many big men (ahem, Kanter) roll to fast and don't hold their position, which allows trailing defenders to get back into position.
Upgrading Theis is actually quite easy.
His name is Robert Williams III. As he gets more PT he will surpass Theis. Theis will be returned to his proper role of prior seasons with Celtics, off the bench to give us 15-20 solid minutes.
Full potential realized of RWIII is better than any of the center prospects in this draft. And I include Wiseman and Okongwu in that assessment.
I'm with you on this 100%, TP. The hustle, passing and hops of Timelord are fantastic and that jumpshot looks to develop as well. I've seen Robert throw some bullet passes right of the catch that very few big men are capable of.
Just has to stay healthy and be given minutes. Invest in your talent. The only way of learning is by making mistakes.
I very much hope you are right. RW’s basketball instincts haven’t been very good yet, and some players never do get it. If the Cs think he can pick it up, I agree they need to feed him minutes - at least 20-25 a night. See what they have. If not, it’s time to trade him and move on.
The other limitation he’s going to have is that he doesn’t seem to play with a lot of lower body leverage. Don’t know if it’s his frame, high center of gravity or what, but even someone like Horford can house him. You can’t outjump him but a strong big can definitely push him around. Really a problem against an Embiid or a Jokic.