Return of the TL

[Goldstar88]

I know he?s injury prone, but I?d love to bring Timelord back on a minimum contract. I watched most of the Spurs/Blazers series and he is still an impact player. This year, Rob played in 59 regular season games and all 5 in the playoffs.

Start TL, play him 20mpg during the regular season.  Divide the remaining minutes up between Queta and Garza. I?d feel pretty good about that center rotation.

[obnoxiousmime]

He's definitely going to get lots of offers higher than the minimum.

Furthermore, I think his best role is as a roamer PF playing next to a stronger C who can space the floor. In other words, Al Horford. The way our team is built now, he can't play next to Queta due to spacing issues and playing with Garza or Tatum would be a very small frontcourt (remember, Rob is only 6'9'').

Of course, we can't necessarily solve all the roster issues in one offseason, so I'm not saying they shouldn't kick the tires with his agent. It's just if you're paying him 10-14m, could those resources be better allocated elsewhere? What about Queta when he needs to be re-signed? He should be making the backup big dollars, not Rob.

But, those are just the hard decisions you need to make under the new CBA when you've got older stars already making 35% of the cap.

[Roy H.]

I see him on the Lakers.

[Who]

I am happy with Timelord on a minimum to a taxpayers MLE of around $5-6mil per annum.

I wouldn't start him. Queta should still start. I would also look to bring in another center instead of Garza because Timelord isn't dependable enough to be the sole quality backup. So we will need a better 3rd string center. Someone who can play NBA defense.

[Goldstar88]

He's definitely going to get lots of offers higher than the minimum.

Furthermore, I think his best role is as a roamer PF playing next to a stronger C who can space the floor. In other words, Al Horford. The way our team is built now, he can't play next to Queta due to spacing issues and playing with Garza or Tatum would be a very small frontcourt (remember, Rob is only 6'9'').

Of course, we can't necessarily solve all the roster issues in one offseason, so I'm not saying they shouldn't kick the tires with his agent. It's just if you're paying him 10-14m, could those resources be better allocated elsewhere? What about Queta when he needs to be re-signed? He should be making the backup big dollars, not Rob.

But, those are just the hard decisions you need to make under the new CBA when you've got older stars already making 35% of the cap.

Rob is 6?9 250lbs. He is bigger than Horford and a
a much better athlete. Also has a 7?6 wingspan which is longer than Al?s. I don?t think anyone is paying him $10-14M since his health is always going to be a question mark .

[Phantom255x]

I'd give him the MLE.

Then send White, Hauser and picks elsewhere and add another big man. Doesn't have to be a superstar like Giannis, but anyone better than Vucevic and playable in the postseason would be ideal.

Trade/Timelord/Queta/Garza is a very nice frontcourt rotation with good depth and more defense. Or even the first 3 + Amari Williams with Garza leaving is fine. 

I also think removing Hauser can actually open up more playing time for Baylor and Hugo and others. Sorry but I think Hauser's expendable, his 10M isn't bad but better used elsewhere and the last few springs have shown if he can't hit 3s, he's not really useful out there. Let the younger guys grow.

White is the guy I'd trade this offseason, not Jaylen. My preference is to continue building around the Jays, and I still think this past postseason while the 3-point philosophy was our biggest reason for losing, the 2nd reason was also Derrick White being atrocious for most of it. If he's even average they win the series. But to beat NY, they need frontcourt upgrades. And Embiid toyed with them too. Can't ignore that.

[Neurotic Guy]

I think we might be fantasizing a bit.  Rob is not worth risking an MLE that can be used on someone more reliable.  I think everyone would love to see healthy Rob here. But that Rob is not the Rob we are likely to get.  Minimum deal would be great.

[obnoxiousmime]

He's definitely going to get lots of offers higher than the minimum.

Furthermore, I think his best role is as a roamer PF playing next to a stronger C who can space the floor. In other words, Al Horford. The way our team is built now, he can't play next to Queta due to spacing issues and playing with Garza or Tatum would be a very small frontcourt (remember, Rob is only 6'9'').

Of course, we can't necessarily solve all the roster issues in one offseason, so I'm not saying they shouldn't kick the tires with his agent. It's just if you're paying him 10-14m, could those resources be better allocated elsewhere? What about Queta when he needs to be re-signed? He should be making the backup big dollars, not Rob.

But, those are just the hard decisions you need to make under the new CBA when you've got older stars already making 35% of the cap.

Rob is 6?9 250lbs. He is bigger than Horford and a
a much better athlete. Also has a 7?6 wingspan which is longer than Al?s. I don?t think anyone is paying him $10-14M since his health is always going to be a question mark .

I definitely think he'll make at least 10m/year because the FA class is pretty lackluster and he's coming off a year where he played 59 games and the playoffs. Either it will be more money for less years to mitigate the injury risk, or a little less for longer if Rob prefers that. Of course if he were available for the minimum, 30 teams including the C's would jump on that and "fit" becomes a moot point.

My analysis of him not being ideal was based on him costing most of what we're going to have free to spend under the tax and assuming we can't afford more than three bigs on the roster, the other two being Queta and Garza since they're still on cheapo deals next year. Of course, that doesn't mean they couldn't just sign Rob and eventually make more moves or trade him down the line, but I thought the discussion this offseason was primarily about how do we get a playoff-level big man with the meager resources on hand.

In my opinion, Horford was always better at banging down low compared to Rob, regardless of what their height/weight info says. Also, I thought keeping him out of the traditional big man spot was at least partially to prevent wear and tear on his fragile body.

[Goldstar88]

He's definitely going to get lots of offers higher than the minimum.

Furthermore, I think his best role is as a roamer PF playing next to a stronger C who can space the floor. In other words, Al Horford. The way our team is built now, he can't play next to Queta due to spacing issues and playing with Garza or Tatum would be a very small frontcourt (remember, Rob is only 6'9'').

Of course, we can't necessarily solve all the roster issues in one offseason, so I'm not saying they shouldn't kick the tires with his agent. It's just if you're paying him 10-14m, could those resources be better allocated elsewhere? What about Queta when he needs to be re-signed? He should be making the backup big dollars, not Rob.

But, those are just the hard decisions you need to make under the new CBA when you've got older stars already making 35% of the cap.

Rob is 6?9 250lbs. He is bigger than Horford and a
a much better athlete. Also has a 7?6 wingspan which is longer than Al?s. I don?t think anyone is paying him $10-14M since his health is always going to be a question mark .

I definitely think he'll make at least 10m/year because the FA class is pretty lackluster and he's coming off a year where he played 59 games and the playoffs. Either it will be more money for less years to mitigate the injury risk, or a little less for longer if Rob prefers that. Of course if he were available for the minimum, 30 teams including the C's would jump on that and "fit" becomes a moot point.

My analysis of him not being ideal was based on him costing most of what we're going to have free to spend under the tax and assuming we can't afford more than three bigs on the roster, the other two being Queta and Garza since they're still on cheapo deals next year. Of course, that doesn't mean they couldn't just sign Rob and eventually make more moves or trade him down the line, but I thought the discussion this offseason was primarily about how do we get a playoff-level big man with the meager resources on hand.

In my opinion, Horford was always better at banging down low compared to Rob, regardless of what their height/weight info says. Also, I thought keeping him out of the traditional big man spot was at least partially to prevent wear and tear on his fragile body.

How is it a weak FA class for Centers?

Duren
Hartenstein
Ayton
Kessler
Vucevic
Sharpe
Mitch Robinson
Lopez
Horford
Mark Williams
Drummond
Collins
Richards
Bryant

[obnoxiousmime]

He's definitely going to get lots of offers higher than the minimum.

Furthermore, I think his best role is as a roamer PF playing next to a stronger C who can space the floor. In other words, Al Horford. The way our team is built now, he can't play next to Queta due to spacing issues and playing with Garza or Tatum would be a very small frontcourt (remember, Rob is only 6'9'').

Of course, we can't necessarily solve all the roster issues in one offseason, so I'm not saying they shouldn't kick the tires with his agent. It's just if you're paying him 10-14m, could those resources be better allocated elsewhere? What about Queta when he needs to be re-signed? He should be making the backup big dollars, not Rob.

But, those are just the hard decisions you need to make under the new CBA when you've got older stars already making 35% of the cap.

Rob is 6?9 250lbs. He is bigger than Horford and a
a much better athlete. Also has a 7?6 wingspan which is longer than Al?s. I don?t think anyone is paying him $10-14M since his health is always going to be a question mark .

I definitely think he'll make at least 10m/year because the FA class is pretty lackluster and he's coming off a year where he played 59 games and the playoffs. Either it will be more money for less years to mitigate the injury risk, or a little less for longer if Rob prefers that. Of course if he were available for the minimum, 30 teams including the C's would jump on that and "fit" becomes a moot point.

My analysis of him not being ideal was based on him costing most of what we're going to have free to spend under the tax and assuming we can't afford more than three bigs on the roster, the other two being Queta and Garza since they're still on cheapo deals next year. Of course, that doesn't mean they couldn't just sign Rob and eventually make more moves or trade him down the line, but I thought the discussion this offseason was primarily about how do we get a playoff-level big man with the meager resources on hand.

In my opinion, Horford was always better at banging down low compared to Rob, regardless of what their height/weight info says. Also, I thought keeping him out of the traditional big man spot was at least partially to prevent wear and tear on his fragile body.

How is it a weak FA class for Centers?

Duren
Hartenstein
Ayton
Kessler
Vucevic
Sharpe
Mitch Robinson
Lopez
Horford
Mark Williams
Drummond
Collins
Richards
Bryant

Duren - Either re-signs with Pistons or is sign-and-traded if a team like the Bulls makes a crazy offer.
Hartenstein - The only solid playoff big who might be available but it likely will require a trade. I think OKC will cut salary elsewhere (Caruso, Dort?) since they don't really have a replacement for Hartenstein.
Ayton - Failed his "prove yourself" year in Los Angeles. Untrustworthy.
Kessler - Either re-signing with Utah or will be sign and traded.
Vucevic - Ha!
Sharpe - Should get a modest deal, maybe 6-8m/year to be a backup C. I assume the Nets keep him since their young players are all guards/forwards and not bigs, but maybe he thinks he can be a starter somewhere else?
Mitch Robinson - Injury risk, some rumors the Kings want him.
Lopez - DNP-Old
Horford - I wouldn't be surprised if he takes his player option because at this point he shouldn't want to be moving his family around year after year.
Mark Williams - He's restricted and got hurt last year. I think he's intriguing and will be a fallback option for the Bulls.
Drummond - He can't really move and he's getting older. I think he could sign for another short-term deal for around 5-6m.
Collins - Is this John Collins? I don't consider him a traditional center.
Richards - IMO he stinks.
Bryant - He stinks.

The thing is, restricted free agents usually re-sign with their own teams so I don't really consider those guys as being truly "available." And for most of the other names, maybe you have a higher opinion of them than I do. Anyway, I stand by my prediction but even if he can't get that double-digit figure, he's still not going to be a minimum guy. That would be insane.

[Vermont Green]

This seems to have become the FA Center thread over the RWill thread, but whatever, I will go with it.

RWill did play 57 games, a high number for him, but not that great in general, but only 17 min per game.  That is not a lot of minutes.  I don't see a role for him on BOS.

Ayton is only 27 (28 in July) but clearly still has not figured out how to play with intensity or urgency.  He put up 12.5 pts/8 rebs/27 min in a season where his minutes were down a little relative to his career.  He is a career 15 pts/10 rebs/30 min.  He would probably be a slight upgrade on the current BOS center rotation which is a bit telling relative to state of the BOS center rotation.  But I don't think BOS is looking for a big that plays his style unless they play it way better.

Kessler is an interesting one.  He is already 24, will be 25 in July.  He was 6 for 8 from 3 in the 5 games he played in 2025-26.  Too small a sample size but if he did develop a reasonably reliable 3-point shot, he would ascend quickly up the center ladder.  Unfortunately, I don't think BOS will have the money to sign him, and hope that he gets good maybe.   It may be a good risk for some other team, and it may pay off for someone, but I don't see it being BOS.

Unless they trade Hauser and free up space, or something else like that, they only have about $15M to spend to stay under the tax.  Around $23M under the first apron.  Realistically, without a larger trade, they will probably be able to spend around $10M or so on a center to replace Vucevic (I am assuming that they do stay under the tax again).  There is not a whole lot of flexibility.  How many on this list would be for sure better than Vucevic?  He was 15/8 overall last season, 37% from 3.  His advanced stats were good on BOS,  one of the better NRtg on the team (+10.3).  Kind of like White that first half season he was here.  It looked ugly, but somehow the advanced stats were good.

[Who]

RWill did play 57 games, a high number for him, but not that great in general, but only 17 min per game.  That is not a lot of minutes.  I don't see a role for him on BOS.

A grand total of 1,008 minutes playing time.

The Celtics had 10 players who played more minutes than that this past season. Hugo in 10th place with 1,084 minutes. Garza was at 1,118 minutes.

Tatum got to half that total (522 min) in only 16 games.

----------------

The season before that Rob Williams played only 20 games. The season before that he played 6 games. The season before that 35 games (last year in BOS). Over those 3 seasons, he managed 61 games and 1,294 minutes.

Nobody is giving this guy the MLE. He is too much of an injury risk. One semi-healthy season in 4 years isn't enough to convince teams to give him a big payday.

* 57 games
* 20 games
* 6 games
* 35 games

That does not get the full MLE.