Cheaper center options

[Surferdad]

@bdm860: nice post, TP. Basically ends the thread.

Except that it's just beginning, until at least through this off-season.     I generally agree that the C's need to shore up center position.  Not that the rotation is terrible, but each guy has his flaws and overall it's not great on the defensive end.

That said, I haven't seen any names mentioned on this thread that thrill me and are actually available (NOT available: Mitch Robinson, Ayton) AND would be an upgrade of Theis to start at the 5.  Rob Williams is basically untouchable but I see him as not ready to start next year.  I've always liked Larry Nance Jr as a backup.

Yeah, this thread is not over for quite a while.

[jambr380]

I almost wonder if Kanter will get the Baynes treatment (he picks up his option, then gets traded). Don't get me wrong, I really like Kanter - he has some impressive strengths as a player and he seems like an awesome guy. It just seemed to me that Ainge signed him last off-season because that is who was left in the quality big man department, not because he REALLY wanted him.

TL and Theis are pretty much sure things to be on the roster next season, unless they are involved in a trade for a better player. The combination of their contracts and what they bring on the court are pretty irreplaceable.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I almost wonder if Kanter will get the Baynes treatment (he picks up his option, then gets traded). Don't get me wrong, I really like Kanter - he has some impressive strengths as a player and he seems like an awesome guy. It just seemed to me that Ainge signed him last off-season because that is who was left in the quality big man department, not because he REALLY wanted him.

TL and Theis are pretty much sure things to be on the roster next season, unless they are involved in a trade for a better player. The combination of their contracts and what they bring on the court are pretty irreplaceable.

I agree. Although there does seem to be a dearth of quality free agents this year, which may mean Kanter could procure a longer-term MLE or tax-payer MLE. Depends on what he thinks he could get.

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. I genuinely believe Williams could be the center of the future, but both he and Theis need to show it over a couple seasons, and need to stay injury free to be depended on. I'd love Ainge to get another veteran guy around that same level to throw in the mix to challenge Williams and Theis.

As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

[Jvalin]

I haven't seen any names mentioned on this thread that thrill me and are actually available (NOT available: Mitch Robinson, Ayton) AND would be an upgrade of Theis to start at the 5.  Rob Williams is basically untouchable but I see him as not ready to start next year.  I've always liked Larry Nance Jr as a backup.

Here are some names. Not sure whether all of them would be realistic targets.

• Myles Turner
• Jarrett Allen
• Wendell Carter Jr.
• Richaun Holmes
• Aron Baynes (UFA)
• Nerlens Noel (UFA)
• Harry Giles (UFA)
• Christian Wood (UFA, imo not a realistic target)
• Onyeka Okongwu
• James Wiseman

I'm not super high on any of these options (for various reasons including inflated trade value). Having said that, I see plenty of guys who are better than Theis or have the potential to be way better than Theis in the future.

[Vermont Green]

I think considering just the center position as being two narrow.  I think you need to be able to play two starting quality bigs as your primary rotation, and I don't care if it is two centers, two power forwards, or one of each.  Kanter, Theis, Williams are fine to handle one of the two positions (this group is probably more centers than PFs) but we don't have anyone for the other needed position (Ojeleye, GWilliams, etc are barely NBA players).

We can't afford to overpay for the position though.  We are going to have to pay all our wings top money, there isn't going to be much left for the bigs, unless we move Hayward.

[Roy H.]

I’ll make the obligatory plug for Boogie.  He’s probably going to make the BAE or less. 

[footey]

Most of the lottery teams won't be targeting a center in first round.  I could see Wiseman or Okongwu slip to second half of lottery. If we love either of them, could see us try to trade up. 

[CFAN38]

For next season I 100% expect the Cs center rotation to be the same as this year. The only difference will be if a healthy R Williams can carve out a bigger role and if Grant can start hitting 3s making him a more effective small ball 5.

The big question for the Cs is the rotation in two years. At that point Theis and Kanter will be FAs. If Theis repeats his production for another season he may become to expensive for the Cs to retain. At that point the first hope is that R Williams has developed into a starting option.

Most likely I see the Cs continuing in the Tatum/Brown era with a center by committee approach. A Switch center (Theis),  A Drop center ( Kanter), and a small ball 5 ( G Williams).

In this draft I really like Tillman as a poor mans Horford capable of switching and dropping thanks to a strong frame and a high IQ, Achiuwa has a work of potential as an elite switching 5 but needs to prove that his bball IQ is up to it, Nnaji should be mobile enough to handle switches and seems like a higher IQ player,  and my favorite drop big in the class is Azubuike. Azubuike has the size, length and strength to thrive in drop coverages.     

[Jvalin]

I almost wonder if Kanter will get the Baynes treatment (he picks up his option, then gets traded). Don't get me wrong, I really like Kanter - he has some impressive strengths as a player and he seems like an awesome guy. It just seemed to me that Ainge signed him last off-season because that is who was left in the quality big man department, not because he REALLY wanted him.

As things stand right now, the C's got 5 players who can provide cover at the Center position: Theis, Kanter, Timelord, G. Williams and Poirier. We definitely don't need all of them, hence I'd be willing to part ways with Kanter. My asking price would be a future protected first + cap relief.

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. (...) As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

Nerlens Noel would be an interesting option as well.

[gouki88]

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. (...) As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

Nerlens Noel would be an interesting option as well.

Does Nerlens still have deluded ideas about what he's worth? He'd be exciting, but not sure he offers much different to Timelord. Would rather try and lock up a big-bodied banger like Baynes

[Jvalin]

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. (...) As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

Nerlens Noel would be an interesting option as well.

Does Nerlens still have deluded ideas about what he's worth? He'd be exciting, but not sure he offers much different to Timelord. Would rather try and lock up a big-bodied banger like Baynes

I'd rather have Baynes too.

Assuming we dump Kanter for a future pick + cap relief, I'd be willing to offer Noel the taxpayer MLE (like we did with Kanter). Not sure whether it would be enough.

[blink]

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. (...) As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

Nerlens Noel would be an interesting option as well.

Does Nerlens still have deluded ideas about what he's worth? He'd be exciting, but not sure he offers much different to Timelord. Would rather try and lock up a big-bodied banger like Baynes

I'd rather have Baynes too.

Assuming we dump Kanter for a future pick + cap relief, I'd be willing to offer Noel the taxpayer MLE (like we did with Kanter). Not sure whether it would be enough.

Insert Baynes instead of Kanter, and we are quite a bit better.  Baynes / Theis / Williams is a much better big trio

[SHAQATTACK]

I d definitely give Cousins a look.   Big body that can shoot a decent outside shot .   Kanter looks ruff .

besides , he never is boring to watch on court.

[SparzWizard]

I d definitely give Cousins a look.   Big body that can shoot a decent outside shot .   Kanter looks ruff .

besides , he never is boring to watch on court.

He looks cooked. Practically a Shaq in 2011 Celtics. One wrong fall or bad run full-court and his foot will give up.

[Surferdad]

If Kanter does leave or gets traded, I would still really like Ainge to get another quality rotation big man. (...) As mentioned by others, both Plumlee and Baynes would fit those qualifications as talented veterans who may be willing to come off the bench, but also could contest for serious minutes.

Nerlens Noel would be an interesting option as well.

Does Nerlens still have deluded ideas about what he's worth? He'd be exciting, but not sure he offers much different to Timelord. Would rather try and lock up a big-bodied banger like Baynes

I'd rather have Baynes too.

Assuming we dump Kanter for a future pick + cap relief, I'd be willing to offer Noel the taxpayer MLE (like we did with Kanter). Not sure whether it would be enough.

Insert Baynes instead of Kanter, and we are quite a bit better.  Baynes / Theis / Williams is a much better big trio

You are probably right.  Funny thing is, Kanter is such an outstanding offensive rebounder that sometimes I think he fits so perfectly when our shooters are a bit off.