Our bigs going forward

[celticinorlando]

Not going to surprise me one bit when they lose Al and Kornet.

Preparing myself for the bigs to be Queta and the stiff they drafted out of KY.

I don't think they'll be able to keep Kornet. Hopefully Al remembers his Sixers and OKC experiences before he commits somewhere else. Queta will NOT be the starting center even if those two don't return.

I don't know who is out there to be honest that is good enough to start on the cheap...esp if they don't move Sam. I am thinking they punt on next year totally now.

[Who]

Some possible destinations for Horford

* Orlando = replace Mo Wagner. Backup big on a new contender. Mentor to Wendell Carter Jr.

* LA Clippers = backup to Zubac. Upgrade on Ben Simmons as backup center.

* Denver = Jokic finally has a quality backup. First time since they traded Mason Plumlee many moons ago.

* Golden State = Ideal for their offensive system. One last hurrah next to Steph, Draymond and Jimmy.

[celts55]

While Horford is one of my favorite Celtics, I think it might be time to move on. As I can?t see this team contending this year, I don?t see why they would want to use salary cap money to sign a player who is probably in his last year. I?d just as soon use those minutes to develop a younger player hopefully.
I?m not even sure that Horford would want to resign here. I would think he would want to spend his last year playing for a contender.

[Phantom255x]

We're in trouble unless Queta and Tillman step up big time

[Kuberski33]

Not going to surprise me one bit when they lose Al and Kornet.

Preparing myself for the bigs to be Queta and the stiff they drafted out of KY.

I don't think they'll be able to keep Kornet. Hopefully Al remembers his Sixers and OKC experiences before he commits somewhere else. Queta will NOT be the starting center even if those two don't return.

I don't know who is out there to be honest that is good enough to start on the cheap...esp if they don't move Sam. I am thinking they punt on next year totally now.

They're gonna move Sam and probably several other pieces and do a retool of the 4/5 if Al and Kornet don't return.  And the team will look significantly different than it did a month ago.

Also depending on players to 'step up' is a failed strategy in pro sports - especially the NBA.  Players are what they are. They may improve incrementally over time, but unless they're really young, there's no potential for a huge leap.  And yes, depending on both Queta and Tillman for an entire season would be a recipe for missing the playoffs.

[Vermont Green]

My Take 1:  I think they will sign Kornet although that is not 100%.  He can sign a multiyear contract and can be a useful player in 2026 and beyond (when it starts to matter again).  But I doubt they go much above $6M.  There may be a few other teams that can offer more than that, but I don't think too many.

My Take 2:  I don't expect Horford to come back.  It really doesn't make sense for Horford or the Celtics.  Unless he just wants one more season as a victory lap or something but I doubt that.  Most likely he signs with a contender for another run at a title.  It is probably more likely than not that this is his last season.

So if our centers are Kornet, Queta, and Rookie from KY, that is pretty bleak.  Our PF rotation is even more bleak; Tillman, Niang?, ????.  But this is only for the lost season.  There may be a trade this season with Niang (won't get much) or Simons (could return a decent big) but I don't think they want to spend money on a big this season.  And I don't think they trade Hauser for a big for this season, maybe next.

[Celtics2021]

Not going to surprise me one bit when they lose Al and Kornet.

Preparing myself for the bigs to be Queta and the stiff they drafted out of KY.

I don't think they'll be able to keep Kornet. Hopefully Al remembers his Sixers and OKC experiences before he commits somewhere else. Queta will NOT be the starting center even if those two don't return.

I don't know who is out there to be honest that is good enough to start on the cheap...esp if they don't move Sam. I am thinking they punt on next year totally now.

They're gonna move Sam and probably several other pieces and do a retool of the 4/5 if Al and Kornet don't return.  And the team will look significantly different than it did a month ago.

Also depending on players to 'step up' is a failed strategy in pro sports - especially the NBA.  Players are what they are. They may improve incrementally over time, but unless they're really young, there's no potential for a huge leap.  And yes, depending on both Queta and Tillman for an entire season would be a recipe for missing the playoffs.

You say that, and yet just two years ago this board was fretting about Luke Kornet being our third big.  He was 28 at the time and now we cannot bear to lose him at age 30

Our center rotation will not be the strength of the team next year.  That said, we will not be playing 4 on 5, as it feels like some describe it.

[slamtheking]

Not going to surprise me one bit when they lose Al and Kornet.

Preparing myself for the bigs to be Queta and the stiff they drafted out of KY.

I don't think they'll be able to keep Kornet. Hopefully Al remembers his Sixers and OKC experiences before he commits somewhere else. Queta will NOT be the starting center even if those two don't return.

I don't know who is out there to be honest that is good enough to start on the cheap...esp if they don't move Sam. I am thinking they punt on next year totally now.

They're gonna move Sam and probably several other pieces and do a retool of the 4/5 if Al and Kornet don't return.  And the team will look significantly different than it did a month ago.

Also depending on players to 'step up' is a failed strategy in pro sports - especially the NBA.  Players are what they are. They may improve incrementally over time, but unless they're really young, there's no potential for a huge leap.  And yes, depending on both Queta and Tillman for an entire season would be a recipe for missing the playoffs.

You say that, and yet just two years ago this board was fretting about Luke Kornet being our third big.  He was 28 at the time and now we cannot bear to lose him at age 30

Our center rotation will not be the strength of the team next year.  That said, we will not be playing 4 on 5, as it feels like some describe it.

"We can't bear to lose him" not because he's a great center but because he's shown he's durable and can be serviceable against non-physical centers.  he's not a great defensive rebounder but he's better than the other centers on the C's roster.  Al, at 39, is still better than Kornet but may not be willing to return to the team if he's only looking to play one more year.  if he's looking for 2 years so that he can take one last shot with a healthy Tatum, he may be more amenable to resigning here.

[Vermont Green]

I would not go as far as saying Kornet is a "must have" or anything like that.  The 2025-26 season does not matter, we are going to be bad with him or without him, starting or coming off the bench, it just doesn't matter.  But Kornet would be a useful bench big for the team in 2026-27 and beyond.  If we sign him, that is what we are signing him for.

We have until about October 2026 to figure out our starting and bench bigs for 2026-27.  If Kornet is part of the mix, great.  If not, it is not the end of the world.  If we sign him now, it is just one less problem we have to figure out for 2026-27.  But I don't think they want to overpay for him and have to carry that salary for 2025-26.

[Birdman]

At this point I take Tacko Fall

[feckless]

Al is not a full time player.  If he is chasing money or rings he should sign somewhere else.  If he is happy in Boston and wants reasonable money, we want him.

[celticinorlando]

Al isn't coming back IMO. And someone is going to overpay for Kornet.

It is so sad it has come to this with this team.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Al isn't coming back IMO. And someone is going to overpay for Kornet.

It is so sad it has come to this with this team.

You've got to stop, man. Every single thread, every 5 posts is you saying the same thing like this.

Seriously, I really enjoy this forum for the variety of takes an ideas. Not for the constant barage of saying the same negative things over and over.

[Kuberski33]

I will guarantee you there's a plan B and probably a Plan C and D if Al and Kornet move on.
Even if they re-sign this will be one of the worst rebounding teams in the league next season so all will not be lost if both depart.

[SparzWizard]

We're in trouble unless Queta and Tillman step up big time

We've been in trouble since Tatum went down with that injury unfortunately. But so far things have been going south with these moves; but it should be no surprise about being below the apron and whatnot.

If Tatum was healthy I think we run it back or lose one of Jrue or Porzingis and eat the cost. His injury made Brad's and new ownership's decision that much easier