Which center should we sign?

[Celtics2021]

Given the C's got Theis for dumping Schröder, someone who HAD to go, anything he gave was a net positive in a fairly good way. Was Theis perfect? No. But he did bring a bunch of good stuff when called upon as opposed to the "it's about me getting my numbers" play of Schröder.

Sure.  But he was a long way from the “perfect fit” for our defensive scheme that he was described as.

Passing on useful players because they’re not “switch everything” bigs is silly.

No arguments on that from me.

I'll argue that we should pass on useful players because they’re not “switch everything” bigs. I guess I'm silly.

As of now, we have two great shooters who don't fit in Pritchard and Gallo. They are likely the last two in our rotation despite elite shooting. It will be difficult to hide one more.

If you leave a hole in the “switch everything” defense for too long, that defensive form fails. It is the single most important capability this team has. We do not have a top 5 offensive player, and we win nothing without it.

While I understand many here disagree, I feel good about the fact that all evidence suggests that Stevens and Udoka agree with that defensive commitment.

Not silly, but what is your alternative?

Barring a bigger deal, what do we do?
Rob's out a few games, play Al 38 mpg like in the playoffs?
Do you want to play Al 30 mpg in the regular season? Are you happy having Grant play 36 mins as a big during the regular season?

I've posted about this quite a bit, but I'm fine with the compromises you listed for the regular season. I don't think it would be disastrous to play someone like Kornet or Kabengele for a couple of shifts a game for a few weeks during the regular season, if it came to that. Not ideal, but OK.

I agree that we would be important to get one more big who could play a rotation spot at a playoff level. Sooner is better, but only if they are actually worth playing in the playoffs.

I think our best bet is to wait on disruptive major deals like the possible Durant trade, and make a move then. I expect we will get a chance to act as a facilitator and get someone who could actually help when it matters. We might even be able to make a major move. Durant will make teams do whatever it takes to make a deal work, even if it would be otherwise crazy.

We're probably not going to find a lot of common ground. My "compromises" were meant as extremes.
I'm all for better players, but I think for this team the difference between 53 and 57 wins matters.

Do you really think you can take on someone like a Whiteside or a Howard, play a completely different defense with your second rotation the whole regular season, then switch back in the playoffs? You can't. That matters too.

I very much hope we can solve for this before the start of the season. That is more likely than not. But I'd rather go with some no-name PF/C guy who has limited offensive skills but can move his feet than some old dinosaur that requires the whole team to play differently. The defense is the priority, especially for that 3rd big.

The team tried to sign Thomas Bryant.  He's not a switchable big, and yet he was apparently first on our priority list.

For what it’s worth, they tried to sign Bryant while Theis was still on the roster.  It’s unclear how much they pursued him after the trade.

When was the Brogdon trade announced?  July 1?  Negotiated June 30?  We reportedly had an offer open to Bryant on July 1, as well.

I don’t think there’s any evidence that Brad is focused solely on a switchable big.

July 1st was a very long day for me, apparently.  I thought it was announced July 3rd or so.

[Ed Monix]

Someone who’s been forgotten is Meyers Leonard.

He was suspended for using an anti-Semitic slur while gaming online. Miami would later trade Leonard to Oklahoma and then he would be cut.

Leonard was recovering from ankle surgery in the off-season, during which he’s been involved with the Jewish community, trying to learn from his transgression.

I’m curious if the Celtics have been in contact with Leonard, in any capacity.

[liam]

Is Kabengele looking like a better option than Giles or some of the other retreads available? He certainly will cost less than Noel. Is he as good or better than Zeller? Will he fit in once he learns the defense and improves his passing? Can he do either of those things?

And did I hear the announcer call out Jammin’ Jelly when he dunked on a PnR the other night?

Jam~N~Gelly!

[SHAQATTACK]

Is Kabengele looking like a better option than Giles or some of the other retreads available? He certainly will cost less than Noel. Is he as good or better than Zeller? Will he fit in once he learns the defense and improves his passing? Can he do either of those things?

And did I hear the announcer call out Jammin’ Jelly when he dunked on a PnR the other night?

Jam~N~Gelly!

Cabbage N Jelly

Yuk 

[pokeKingCurtis]

Someone who’s been forgotten is Meyers Leonard.

He was suspended for using an anti-Semitic slur while gaming online. Miami would later trade Leonard to Oklahoma and then he would be cut.

Leonard was recovering from ankle surgery in the off-season, during which he’s been involved with the Jewish community, trying to learn from his transgression.

I’m curious if the Celtics have been in contract with Leonard, in any capacity.

I feel like they shouldn't sign him because they just spent a year rebuilding their culture.

[tenn_smoothie]

Thomas Bryant would have fit our needs well, if he is a good locker room influence.
What was the story about him "growing up" since he left LA previously.
Career 16 mpg, 7.5 pts., 5 rbs, 1 blk. and the bulk we currently don't have inside.

Anyone similar to him ?

[pokeKingCurtis]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

[boscel33]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

I saw his name mentioned elsewhere to bring back.  I'd rather pass on him, seems he's just another GWill, another Danny wasted later pick with other players on the board. 

I think Danny tried too hard, at times, to replicate Draymond.

[Celtics2021]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

I saw his name mentioned elsewhere to bring back.  I'd rather pass on him, seems he's just another GWill, another Danny wasted later pick with other players on the board. 

I think Danny tried too hard, at times, to replicate Draymond.

If you think Semi = Grant then you’re a lost cause.

[Vermont Green]

Semi is a second round pick that has stuck around the NBA for 284 games and 24 starts. Athletic but undersized for PF.  Not nearly skilled enough to be a wing (but can defend wings fine in switches).  I would not call Semi a wasted second round pick nor do a consider Grant a wasted late first round pick.  Grant, with his improved 3 pt shooting, is better than Semi, before that, they were remarkably similar.

All that said, I see no role for Semi on our current roster.  He is not a center and we don't need another undersized PF since we already have Grant who is better.  Certainly hope Semi catches on somewhere.  Easy guy to root for.  His career earnings to date are about $8.9M.  Not bad.  I hope he gets a few more years.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Someone who’s been forgotten is Meyers Leonard.

He was suspended for using an anti-Semitic slur while gaming online. Miami would later trade Leonard to Oklahoma and then he would be cut.

Leonard was recovering from ankle surgery in the off-season, during which he’s been involved with the Jewish community, trying to learn from his transgression.

I’m curious if the Celtics have been in contact with Leonard, in any capacity.

Limited upside and baggage. I don’t see a fit.

Is Dwight an option? I think he’s better than Leonard. I know he’s old, but this is a player that has attracted so much negative press (right or wrong) that he’s been underrated over the last few years.

[boscel33]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

I saw his name mentioned elsewhere to bring back.  I'd rather pass on him, seems he's just another GWill, another Danny wasted later pick with other players on the board. 

I think Danny tried too hard, at times, to replicate Draymond.

If you think Semi = Grant then you’re a lost cause.

They're not as far off as you would think.  But then again, I didn't compare the two, I said another wasted pick.  First Danny tried Yabusele, then Semi, now GWill.  All, basically the same type of player.

About GWill:  "Boston has searched for this type of versatile, low-usage stretch forward for years dating back to the Jae Crowder days. The Celtics drafted Semi Ojeleye and added Marcus Morris, but neither of those moves worked out. Ex-president of basketball operations Danny Ainge publicly said he was looking to add "shooting with size" at the 2021 trade deadline. "

That said, if you want to see a comparison, here it is, and they're closer than I even thought.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Grant-Williams/Comparison/89395/Semi-Ojeleye/41446

[Celtics4ever]

 I rather have anyone out there other than Luke Kornet.

If you think Semi = Grant then you’re a lost cause.

Either of these guys at Center quite frankly is a poor option.   Enough of we want X player back because we know them.   There is a reason we let him walk, let Kelly O walk, etc.

[Vermont Green]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

I saw his name mentioned elsewhere to bring back.  I'd rather pass on him, seems he's just another GWill, another Danny wasted later pick with other players on the board. 

I think Danny tried too hard, at times, to replicate Draymond.

If you think Semi = Grant then you’re a lost cause.

They're not as far off as you would think.  But then again, I didn't compare the two, I said another wasted pick.  First Danny tried Yabusele, then Semi, now GWill.  All, basically the same type of player.

About GWill:  "Boston has searched for this type of versatile, low-usage stretch forward for years dating back to the Jae Crowder days. The Celtics drafted Semi Ojeleye and added Marcus Morris, but neither of those moves worked out. Ex-president of basketball operations Danny Ainge publicly said he was looking to add "shooting with size" at the 2021 trade deadline. "

That said, if you want to see a comparison, here it is, and they're closer than I even thought.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Grant-Williams/Comparison/89395/Semi-Ojeleye/41446

You are lumping some things into this that don't help your argument.  Morris was on the Celtics as an integral starter for 2017/18 and 2018/19.  The team made it to the ECF one year and the Semifinal the next.  He had a pretty successful run with the Celtics.

But keeping that out of the discussion, Semi and Grant had very similar production up until this past season where Grant developed a much bettert 3 point shot.  Grant is now better based on that.  But they are both undersized PF's who are useful, versatile bench players.  Grant just a little more useful at this point.

[boscel33]

Weird thought - Semi Ojeleye

I saw his name mentioned elsewhere to bring back.  I'd rather pass on him, seems he's just another GWill, another Danny wasted later pick with other players on the board. 

I think Danny tried too hard, at times, to replicate Draymond.

If you think Semi = Grant then you’re a lost cause.

They're not as far off as you would think.  But then again, I didn't compare the two, I said another wasted pick.  First Danny tried Yabusele, then Semi, now GWill.  All, basically the same type of player.

About GWill:  "Boston has searched for this type of versatile, low-usage stretch forward for years dating back to the Jae Crowder days. The Celtics drafted Semi Ojeleye and added Marcus Morris, but neither of those moves worked out. Ex-president of basketball operations Danny Ainge publicly said he was looking to add "shooting with size" at the 2021 trade deadline. "

That said, if you want to see a comparison, here it is, and they're closer than I even thought.

https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Grant-Williams/Comparison/89395/Semi-Ojeleye/41446

You are lumping some things into this that don't help your argument.  Morris was on the Celtics as an integral starter for 2017/18 and 2018/19.  The team made it to the ECF one year and the Semifinal the next.  He had a pretty successful run with the Celtics.

But keeping that out of the discussion, Semi and Grant had very similar production up until this past season where Grant developed a much bettert 3 point shot.  Grant is now better based on that.  But they are both undersized PF's who are useful, versatile bench players.  Grant just a little more useful at this point.

Just note, I copied that quote that spoke of Morris from a story.  I should have id'd it, but I didn't, I just wrapped it in quotes.  Basketballnews.com is where I took that quote from.  It actually thinks GWill may have turned the corner.

https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/stats-notebook-grant-williams-boston-celtics