What's Our Starting Center Plan Beyond 2025 If KP Isn't Here Long Term?

[Phantom255x]

I've been thinking about it. Horford is almost 99% guaranteed to retire after this season regardless the season's outcome. And given KP's injury concerns + luxury tax implications, there's no guarantee he remains beyond 2025 either. Or maybe they trade Jrue instead but even then if the luxury tax implications are just enormous, KP might have to go too.

If that's the case, what do we think our plan could be going forward at the position? Kornet, Queta and Tillman to me are all nice role players, but not starting-caliber. Queta may be the only one who could be a fringe starter but only if he hits his ceiling.

Do we hope to draft one in the late 1st and hope he pans out? Or maybe hope someone like Bam becomes disgruntled and we can trade for him? Maybe Vucevic?

I know it's not a major issue now but I think it definitely could be one after next season. And it'll be a glaring one since there's still Giannis/Embiid/Turner/Allen/Chet/AD/Wemby/Jokic, etc. all in the league.

[tazzmaniac]

Why are you that certain?  Has Horford said anything or given any indications about retiring after this season? 

[Phantom255x]

Why are you that certain?  Has Horford said anything or given any indications about retiring after this season?

It's the final year on his contract, and a lot of people speculated he's playing this season instead of retiring after winning a ring last year because he's motivated to try and get back to back titles, similar to when we won back to back titles in college with the Gators.

It seems likely this is his final year. But if not, that's great!

[tazzmaniac]

Why are you that certain?  Has Horford said anything or given any indications about retiring after this season?

It's the final year on his contract, and a lot of people speculated he's playing this season instead of retiring after winning a ring last year because he's motivated to try and get back to back titles, similar to when we won back to back titles in college with the Gators.

It seems likely this is his final year. But if not, that's great!

If you win back-to-back titles, might as well come back for a 3peat.  He's 38 but his health seems to be fine.

[Goldstar88]

[keevsnick]

I certainly think Horford might retire after this year. But I wouldn't put the odds at anywhere close to 99%. I'd guess he's at the pint in his career where he's taking it year to year and it just depends on how he feels as he plays. The contract thing doesn't really matter, if he wants to be back I'm sure something will be worked out.

That said, guys who space the floor and are good on defense are hard to find. The C's have two of them. When those guys are gone its going to be tough. Shooting big would be a good position to start developing.

[Goldstar88]

99% chance, huh? This was from earlier this year. 


The Boston Celtics big man still looks spry at the age of 37 and is playing a key role for the best team in the NBA. He has stated his desire to play at least until age 40 and at this rate, there's no reason to believe he'll have any problem reaching that impressive milestone.

On Thursday, Horford opened up about his longevity and explained how three legendary athletes inspired him to take better care of his body.

Tom Brady, I was following him a lot, seeing what he?s doing and seeing what Cristiano Ronaldo?s doing and seeing what LeBron (James) is doing and just reading about it and seeing if something kind of can benefit me and if it can go into some of the things that I want to do and kind of go from there," Horford told reporters. "For me, it?s always keeping an open mind and really looking at those examples and seeing how I can be better myself.

Horford is in the midst of his 17th NBA season and his second stint with the C's. Earlier in his career, he met Brady at a TB12 facility in Boston while playing for the Atlanta Hawks. He credits that "really enlightening" meeting with helping him think differently about his diet.

[Roy H.]

Hopefully after the 2026 season we can sign KP to a reduced deal, and eventually get below the apron so that we can sign somebody competent using the MLE.

[mobilija]

Great pics! The 2nd one is just insane (Wanamaker🤣)

Miss that unique talent, game changing but?..that?s out of the frying pan and into the fire from an injury standpoint

[Goldstar88]

Great pics! The 2nd one is just insane (Wanamaker🤣)

Miss that unique talent, game changing but?..that?s out of the frying pan and into the fire from an injury standpoint

Timelord is a gamble, but that would also make him low salary. Should be in the Celtics price range. Rob is still only 27 years old. Timelord, Kornet, Queta isn?t a terrible C rotation.

[Phantom255x]

I like Timelord as a possibility for cheap down the road.

I wonder, this offseason could we trade Porzingis, 1-2 bench/young players and a bunch of picks to a team like Sacramento for Sabonis? Assuming they want to go into rebuild and don't want to pay Sabonis.

[tonydelk]

Hopefully we can draft and develop someone.  The C's are going to need young guards and bigs next year and the year after.  After 2025 One of Jrue, Dwhite and Porzingas will be gone.  Pending Porzingas health and how much he would command in a new contract will determine what he does.  I can also see Jrue retiring after 2025.  If not a contender would love to have him to chase a chip if he's still performing at a high level.  I'd prefer the C's keep Dwhite over Jrue because of his age.  I'd hope Zinger could be resigned in the 20m per year range.  I also see Hauser being moved as well if Baylor is ready to take his minutes.

[hwangjini_1]

I like Timelord as a possibility for cheap down the road.

I wonder, this offseason could we trade Porzingis, 1-2 bench/young players and a bunch of picks to a team like Sacramento for Sabonis? Assuming they want to go into rebuild and don't want to pay Sabonis.

williams has played in the following number of games for the past 3 seasons.

2022-23 = 35 games
2023-24 = 5 games
2024-25 = 10 games

he is out now with an ankle injury, but maybe will return soon. i wish him the best, but his injury history is grim.

moreover, the 2021-22 williams is gone forever. even when he plays now, which as we see is rare, he is NOT at this level any longer.

but back to the thread, in 2025 there are dozens or free agent centers and power forwards. most of them are of course marginal. the best will be high priced. but in the mid range maybe PBS can find another jewel or hidden gem.

james wiseman has not panned out despite being the second pick in the 2020 draft, but he is still only 23 years old. he plays soft and prefers jump shots. but maybe PBS and Joe can change that? maybe he is ready to mature a bit? (those frontal lobs should just about be all grown by now.)

on offense he is talented, more so than queta or kornet. defense, he is soft and doesn't seem to like contact.

nonetheless, he might be a interesting player to look at to played a limited role in Joe's system.

[Goldstar88]

I like Timelord as a possibility for cheap down the road.

I wonder, this offseason could we trade Porzingis, 1-2 bench/young players and a bunch of picks to a team like Sacramento for Sabonis? Assuming they want to go into rebuild and don't want to pay Sabonis.

williams has played in the following number of games for the past 3 seasons.

2022-23 = 35 games
2023-24 = 5 games
2024-25 = 10 games

he is out now with an ankle injury, but maybe will return soon. i wish him the best, but his injury history is grim.

moreover, the 2021-22 williams is gone forever. even when he plays now, which as we see is rare, he is NOT at this level any longer.

He?s injury prone for sure, but I?m not sure this statement is true. I watched the Portland/Minnesota game and Rob had 19pts, 9rebs, 3ast, 3blk, 3stls in 25mins of play. 8-9 from the field. Looked as good as he ever has.

[kraidstar]

Good chance we trade Porzingis + picks for someone healthier and cheaper.

Otherwise we're pretty stuck unless we can dump enough salary to use our MLE again.