Centre options for the Celtics

[Ed Monix]

Interesting that apparently Ibaka picked up his players option for next season at just 9.4 million. The only logical reason for him doing that is his agent has gauged the market and he couldn't find a better offer on a reasonable team.

If we use that as a bench mark, perhaps we can pick up someone like Nerlens Noel for cheap, especially since Horford most likely won't be able to play every game this season.

We may be able to package Robert Williams for some playmaking if we get Noel on a multi year deal.

[LilRip]

We still have reasonable depth at the 5 even without player movement:

Horford can start
Timelord can start if he’s healthy but is probably better on the bench
Kornet is serviceable off the bench
Grant for quick match ups although he probably shouldn’t be getting minutes
Tacko for Tuesday games

The trades left the C’s with a bunch of players that can be deployed at the 1 and/or 2 (Smart, Brown, Richardson, Pritchard, Dunn, Nesmith). If C’s spend money, I think they’re best off shoring up the 3/4 spots because after Brown and Tatum, the rest are barely rotation players (Langford, Semi, Grant).

[Jvalin]

My #1 target would be Khem Birch. Not a flashy name by any means, but he'd be a perfect fit in our switch-heavy defensive system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxTam9Vtw1Q&t=1s

If we opt for a traditional big man, gimme Gorgui Dieng. I'd also like Bjelica. At this stage in his career, he plays plenty of his minutes at Center.

Here are some potential targets. Not sure whether all of them would be available for the minimum.

• Khem Birch
• Gorgui Dieng
• Cody Zeller
• Robin Lopez
• JaVale McGee
• Willie Cauley-Stein
• Zach Collins
• Boban Marjanovic
• Bismack Biyombo
• Dwight Howard
• Hassan Whiteside
• Luke Kornet
• Tony Bradley
• Willy Hernangomez
• Alex Len
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Harry Giles
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Moritz Wagner
• Cristiano Felício
• Norvel Pelle
• Nemanja Bjelica (played 43% of his minutes at Center last season)
• Taj Gibson (played 40% of his minutes at Center last season)

Plenty of intriguing names on that list. I'm really not worried about our chances to sign a serviceable 3rd string Center.

[JBcat]

I would welcome Theis back if we can get him for the mid level exception.

[Birdman]

We had one in Moses 🤬🤬…but I like Whiteside..if we stay with Horford, TimeLord & Bruno, then we in “big” trouble again

[pearljammer10]

We have three centers. Why would we target a fourth?

[Birdman]

We have three centers. Why would we target a fourth?

Al is old & not a true center, TimeLord can’t stay healthy & overrated, Bruno is a D-leaguer

[Celtics2021]

We have three centers. Why would we target a fourth?

Al is old & not a true center, TimeLord can’t stay healthy & overrated, Bruno is a D-leaguer

Al is old, but is absolutely a center.

[Rosco917]

We have three centers. Why would we target a fourth?

Because two of the three are either aging or constructed of glass. The other isn't very good.

[Celtics4ever]

Kornet is serviceable off the bench
Grant for quick match ups although he probably shouldn’t be getting minutes

Kornet is horrible  and Grant and quick should not be mentioned in the same sentence.    I think Bruno would be an ok, third center definitely better than our third center this year which was Kornett.

We may be able to package Robert Williams for some playmaking if we get Noel on a multi year deal.

I like the idea of Noel on D.    But would rather keep Rob.  I suspect Dunn, Richardson, Marcus and Pritchard are who were have in mind for PG

We really could use a a SF/ PF more. I know Richardson can play SF

The thing is folks I don't see us paying the tax with this team.   So how are we going to sign someone capwise?   I know we have some exceptions do those go against the cap?    How much cap do we have left if Fournier signs elsewhere, which looks probable.

[Big333223]

I'd be into the idea of taking a flyer on Gorgui Dieng or Harry Giles on as little money as possible if there are no other moves made.

With Timelord and Horford, we're talking about a third center but with their respective injury history and age, that third big might be important.

I also think Kornet can improve and fill and important role as a huge body who can actually do some stuff.

[hpantazo]

I'd go for Isaiah Hartenstein. He's shown some nice flashes and is still young. He could be a good fit if he's available for a low cost.

[CFAN38]

This is going to be really unpopular but I won’t be shock if R Williams is the next one to go via trade. I could see a R Williams, Grant Williams and Edwards package being shopped for an expiring vet and additional draft compensation. To Toronto for Baynes and first or Boucher and 2nd? To Memphis for K Anderson? Fans won’t be happy but the plan looks to be free up max space for next offseason and I’ll be surprised if BS wants to gamble with Williams health on next contract .

I could see the Celtics starting next season with the following.
Start
Pg Smart
Sg Brown
Sf Tatum
PF Anderson (via R Williams trade)
C Theis/Noel/C Zeller (via MLE)

Bench

Horford
Richardson
Pritchard
Langford
Nesmith
Dunn
N Hayes (FA)
Javonte Green (FA)
Fernando
Mader ( or more likely they leave him over seas and bring in another vet)

2-way

Hauser
Tacko ( or another big)

[LilRip]

Kornet is serviceable off the bench
Grant for quick match ups although he probably shouldn’t be getting minutes

Kornet is horrible  and Grant and quick should not be mentioned in the same sentence.    I think Bruno would be an ok, third center definitely better than our third center this year which was Kornett.

We may be able to package Robert Williams for some playmaking if we get Noel on a multi year deal.

I like the idea of Noel on D.    But would rather keep Rob.  I suspect Dunn, Richardson, Marcus and Pritchard are who were have in mind for PG

We really could use a a SF/ PF more. I know Richardson can play SF

The thing is folks I don't see us paying the tax with this team.   So how are we going to sign someone capwise?   I know we have some exceptions do those go against the cap?    How much cap do we have left if Fournier signs elsewhere, which looks probable.

Grant does well enough against faster 5’s like Bam. Obviously there’s a massive gap between them but Grant does a pretty decent job for someone who doesn’t have starter talent.

And plus, he’s the 3rd or 4th-string Center. I think investing significantly more than the vet min (or rookie scale contract) on a 3rd center is bad management of resources. We only have so much we’re allowed spend and there are other positions to shore up.

[footey]

Interesting that apparently Ibaka picked up his players option for next season at just 9.4 million. The only logical reason for him doing that is his agent has gauged the market and he couldn't find a better offer on a reasonable team.

If we use that as a bench mark, perhaps we can pick up someone like Nerlens Noel for cheap, especially since Horford most likely won't be able to play every game this season.

We may be able to package Robert Williams for some playmaking if we get Noel on a multi year deal.

You’d rather have Noel than Rob Williams as our center?