Centers Possibly Available

[Phantom255x]

They still need someone if they want to compete with the iron in the league and make deep playoff runs. We had it for a while with Horford, Timelord (then Porzingis), and even Kornet as a consistent 3rd big. I think Amari can become the 3rd big in a year, but they need someone to pair with Queta.

Queta has made amazing strides so far this season but a game like yesterday highlights it's still a need.

[slamtheking]

They still need someone if they want to compete with the iron in the league and make deep playoff runs. We had it for a while with Horford, Timelord (then Porzingis), and even Kornet as a consistent 3rd big. I think Amari can become the 3rd big in a year, but they need someone to pair with Queta.

Queta has made amazing strides so far this season but a game like yesterday highlights it's still a need.

based on what?  from what I've seen of him on court he's 2 years away from being 2 years away. 

[wdleehi]

If the Celtics can a big where we can have a debate which one of the two big men should start, then I think they have the big men to contend once Tatum is back.   

[Jiri Welsch]

Feels like Celtics are nearing a point where it might be fruitful to "draft based on need" with bigs for the next couple years.

Gasp away!

[Who]

If the Celtics can a big where we can have a debate which one of the two big men should start, then I think they have the big men to contend once Tatum is back.

Agreed.

[Phantom255x]

I'd be okay with Day'Ron Sharpe this year if Zubac/Claxton/Vucevic aren't available.

BKN feels like an ideal trade partner regardless because they do have interest in Simons and have the cap space to facilitate things even if it's some sort of a 3-teamer

Then maybe in the offseason you can use the Porzingis TPE to acquire a big man via trade.

[hwangjini_1]

Feels like Celtics are nearing a point where it might be fruitful to "draft based on need" with bigs for the next couple years.

Gasp away!

Given the likely draft slots the celtics will have for the next few years, this is probably not an optimal solution. it would take about 4 to 6 years for this strategy to pay off. that is past the J's playing window.

history shows that aside from the very elite centers, on average for those drafted at spot #15 or later, it takes 2-4 years for centers to become a regular/significant contributor.

or, if you prefer numbers here are a few:

NBA Centers Drafted 15th Overall or Later (Past ~20 Years)

• those who became regular NBA starters at some point: ≈ 40?45%
  
  

those who did NOT become regular starters: ≈ 55?60%

[Vermont Green]

I'd be okay with Day'Ron Sharpe this year if Zubac/Claxton/Vucevic aren't available.

BKN feels like an ideal trade partner regardless because they do have interest in Simons and have the cap space to facilitate things even if it's some sort of a 3-teamer

Then maybe in the offseason you can use the Porzingis TPE to acquire a big man via trade.

Is this true?  What is this based on?  It seems reasonable but not sure what "interest in" really means.

As to drafting a big, sure, if there is a decent big available at 15 or wherever BOS picks in 2026, why not.  But I think you still take the best player available, at whatever position.  Or trade the pick (maybe with Simons) to bring back a known commodity big.  Drafting is always going to be hit or miss, no matter the position or where in the draft you are picking.

And like hwangjini_1 says, at best, it takes a few seasons for a rookie to make an impact.  Not always, but usually.

[Phantom255x]

I'd be okay with Day'Ron Sharpe this year if Zubac/Claxton/Vucevic aren't available.

BKN feels like an ideal trade partner regardless because they do have interest in Simons and have the cap space to facilitate things even if it's some sort of a 3-teamer

Then maybe in the offseason you can use the Porzingis TPE to acquire a big man via trade.

Is this true?  What is this based on?  It seems reasonable but not sure what "interest in" really means.

As to drafting a big, sure, if there is a decent big available at 15 or wherever BOS picks in 2026, why not.  But I think you still take the best player available, at whatever position.  Or trade the pick (maybe with Simons) to bring back a known commodity big.  Drafting is always going to be hit or miss, no matter the position or where in the draft you are picking.

And like hwangjini_1 says, at best, it takes a few seasons for a rookie to make an impact.  Not always, but usually.

They were talking Simons trade in the offseason and according to Scotto and Stein over the past few weeks they said they could revisit it. And apparently when BKN was in town, there were pics of Stevens and Marks (Nets GM) sitting and speaking in the seats behind the benches.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-nets-celtics-discussed-anfernee-143920846.html

The Celtics window is now and in the next 5+ years with Tatum and Brown firmly entering their primes. It's fine to draft some depth and potential long term pieces along the way to groom but they also need to be a little aggressive. If someone like Zubac becomes available for real, Brad's gotta pounce. They don't need a superstar addition, but any above average starter or star-caliber PF/C would be nice to go along with PP-White-Jaylen-Tatum and the bench.

[Celtics4ever]

We won the title with Porzingis, who (although injury prone) is an elite center.

He helped us win one game and was barely played the rest.  He played 60 minutes total that whole series.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2024-nba-finals-mavericks-vs-celtics.html

Queta does match up well against Duran, but he would get destroyed by Jokic, Wembanyama and Holmgren.

So does every other center in the league in terms of being destroyed vs. Jokic.

Here is a list of who guards Jokic the best, this year.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+nikola+joki%C4%87+2025-26

Nemi is not in the top 25, neither is Embiid, Wembanyama orHolmgren

Wemby
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+wembanyama+2025-26

Holmgreen
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+holmgren+2025-26

Nemi made none of the lists, a lot of the best defenders are not what you would call superstar centers, either.

[slamtheking]

We won the title with Porzingis, who (although injury prone) is an elite center.

He helped us win one game and was barely played the rest.  He played 60 minutes total that whole series.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2024-nba-finals-mavericks-vs-celtics.html

Queta does match up well against Duran, but he would get destroyed by Jokic, Wembanyama and Holmgren.

So does every other center in the league in terms of being destroyed vs. Jokic.

Here is a list of who guards Jokic the best, this year.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+nikola+joki%C4%87+2025-26

Nemi is not in the top 25, neither is Embiid, Wembanyama orHolmgren

Wemby
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+wembanyama+2025-26

Holmgreen
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+holmgren+2025-26

Nemi made none of the lists, a lot of the best defenders are not what you would call superstar centers, either.

exactly.  can't shut him down.  best option is to take away his passes with tight coverage of his teammates.  make him score 45+ to beat you and hope he's having an off night.  in the old days when there were actual centers playing in the post, the way to beat him was to put your center on the block and make Jokic play close/physical D and force him into foul trouble.

[slamtheking]

I'd be okay with Day'Ron Sharpe this year if Zubac/Claxton/Vucevic aren't available.

BKN feels like an ideal trade partner regardless because they do have interest in Simons and have the cap space to facilitate things even if it's some sort of a 3-teamer

Then maybe in the offseason you can use the Porzingis TPE to acquire a big man via trade.

the preferred situation is to trade Simons such that the incoming player(s) fit into the Zinger TPE and use Simons outgoing salary to create a new TPE.   That gives Brad a year after the deal to use that Simons TPE as opposed to having to rush a deal between the end of the finals and the almost immediate expiration of the Zinger TPE