Dan Gadzuric for center depth?

[LooseCannon]

Not a trade idea, so not in the trade forum, I guess.

Dan Gadzuric is a guy that Ainge was reportedly interested in if he had been bought out last season.  (He wasn't, and Troy Murphy became a Celtic instead.)  After being cut by the Chinese league in December due to an injury, Gadzuric has signed with the D-League.  I've floated the idea that he makes sense in a few threads.

Let's look at the scouting report on Gadzuric in his SB Nation profile.

Assets: Fairly athletic for a center and can both run and jump well for a 7-footer. Works fairly hard on the boards and as a shot-blocker, and can score on put-backs and short-range moves.

Flaws: Inconsistent; will disappear for stretches, and doesn't make the most of his physical tools. Fouls too readily. Doesn't show great hands for shooting, ball-handling, or passing.

That actually sounds like a player the Celtics could use.  A 7-footer who rebounds, blocks shots, and runs well.  He's not going to satisfy you if you're looking for a game-changing starting center, but he's a legitimate end-of-the-rotation big which the Celtics could use, given the limited minutes for KG and the injury problems of Chris Wilcox and Brandon Bass, not to mention Jermaine O'Neal.  The only drawback I can see is if you want to force Doc Rivers to use Greg Stiemsma by giving him no other option.  Sure, he's older, but I suspect that won't matter for his likely role.

Here are some numbers 17.2/16.4/16.8.  Those are the offensive, defensive, and total rebounding percentages for Gadzuric last season.  That total rebounding percentage would beat anyone on the 2011-2012 Celtics and that offensive rebounding percentage (a tad higher than what Gadzuric put up when he led the league in OR% a few years ago) would easily lead the Celtics.

I don't think he should be signed right now, but I think he should be Plan C, to be signed if there is no good trade to be made addressing the center position and no bought-out players (Diaw?) who would be good options.  Unfortunately, the Texas Legends traded for Gadzuric after he was claimed by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.  The Legends are affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks, who have had some injury problems with their bigs and it seems they may be keeping Gadzuric where they can watch him because they have the same idea.

[theswitch]

KG has a defensive rebounding percentage of 22.6%. Wilcox is at 17.9%.

I'd be interested in Gadzuric because he's a relatively useful player, but like you said, only as a 3rd option. Those defensive rebounding percentages are actually pretty concerning, even though the offensive rebounding is nice.

[Celtics4ever]

  A 7-footer who rebounds, blocks shots, and runs well.

Those don't grow on trees.

[Eja117]

I think I'd rather have Steams

[CelticG1]

KG has a defensive rebounding percentage of 22.6%. Wilcox is at 17.9%.

I'd be interested in Gadzuric because he's a relatively useful player, but like you said, only as a 3rd option. Those defensive rebounding percentages are actually pretty concerning, even though the offensive rebounding is nice.

Yeah im not against the idea but we need defensive rebounding. We play great d, hold teams to low percentages but way too many second chance points.

On an unrelated note, and not that he is a defensive rebounder but the lockout really screwed us over with resigning Krstic.. He was a 7 footer good offensive rebounder and would have fit in nicely by now imo. He'd at least be a better offensive rebounding 7 foot Bass

[Gomesfan]

Not a big fan. But would take him as 3 rd option if we have no other option for the reason stated above.

[theswitch]

KG has a defensive rebounding percentage of 22.6%. Wilcox is at 17.9%.

I'd be interested in Gadzuric because he's a relatively useful player, but like you said, only as a 3rd option. Those defensive rebounding percentages are actually pretty concerning, even though the offensive rebounding is nice.

Yeah im not against the idea but we need defensive rebounding. We play great d, hold teams to low percentages but way too many second chance points.

On an unrelated note, and not that he is a defensive rebounder but the lockout really screwed us over with resigning Krstic.. He was a 7 footer good offensive rebounder and would have fit in nicely by now imo. He'd at least be a better offensive rebounding 7 foot Bass

Agreed, a very underrated misfortune. With Green and Nenad, this is a different team.

[the_Bird]

Gadzuric would help the team more than Sasha, or Quis.  Pick one of those guys to be the depth-wing, waive the other and use the roster spot on the big man.  With Bradley working his way into the rotation (at least a little), having both Sasha and Quis seems unneccesary.

[PosImpos]

Blech.  Gadzuric isn't gonna make the kind of difference this team needs.

[the_Bird]

Blech.  Gadzuric isn't gonna make the kind of difference this team needs.

Well, of course not.  But, you wouldn't be giving up anything to sign him, other than someone who's not playing anyway.  He'd make the team (marginally) better and wouldn't mess up any future flexibility or cost any assets.

[TripleOT]

Agreed, a very underrated misfortune. With Green and Nenad, this is a different team.

Is that the same Krstic that played 8 whole minutes per game in last year's playoffs, averaging 1.7/1.7?  The guy could barely get on the court for the Cs, even though there was a glaring weakness at center. 

And then there's Green, whose playoff numbers plummeted from 15/5 to 7/2.7 in only 4 less minutes.  These two bums would help with regular season depth, but when the lights get brighter, bit's a different story.   

[LooseCannon]

Well, Gadzuric is kind of the opposite of Krstic.  His strengths are Krstic's weaknesses and vice versa.  Statistically, he looks a bit like a taller Chris Wilcox with more blocked shots and fouls and a tad more rebounding and less offense.

He probably wouldn't play against teams the Celtics could afford to play a small lineup against, but he would certainly be useful if he grasps the defense enough that Doc isn't tempted to play smallball against a team like the Bulls.

[bostonpatriot]

Gadzuric is a bit better than Stiemsma but I'm not sure if the team would gain significantly with the swap. Stiemsma already knows the team, the plays, etc.

[LooseCannon]

If it makes Doc Rivers less inclined to go with a small lineup, do the Celtics benefit?

[jay]

If Danny makes any trades where 2 go out for one (Beasley trade) or if 3 go out for 2 and a spot opens up..... go for it!


I just posted in the Ariza/Jack thread a thought that JO goes out and a hole opens up at center.  Wilcox would have to start but you would really need a 3-headed monster at center (Wilcox/Stiemsma/Gadzuric)