The Future at Center, Who is it?

[tyrone biggums]

I've decided to post this as I think its a good place to debate who could possibly and realistically be the man in the paint for us for hopefully the next decade.

1)Dwight Howard, free agent in 2012 has been discussed at great lengths. No cons with this guy, just that if he would come to Boston over a warmer city. But would be the A1 option.

2)Nenad Kristic-Good length, solid shooter but not much defensive ability. Hes the exact opposite of Perk in every way, but so far hes been a solid contributor to the team.

3)Nene is interesting, the Nuggets want to sign him to an extension however, does he want to stay? Hes a rebounding machine, athletic and would be almost as good of a fit as Howard at probably a cheaper price.

4)Then there's Oden, the man we all wanted back in 2007. By all accounts the Blazers will listen to offers for the RFA. He's also attempting to get back to the 270 pound range he played at in college. When hes played hes been extremely effective in shot blocking etc...not much offensive production. Would love to see what he could do on a team like this, with the coaching and veteran support around him. It could very well be a conditioning issue with him all along.

5)Eddy Curry...would save fans from eating the horrible and overpriced Aramark food during the games.

[greg683x]

my answer is either a draft pick for other free agent.

Dwights not coming here.  Krstic is a decent role player but hes not the future.  Nene is almost 30, you cant call him the future.  Odens not reliable enough to bring in and consider the future at this point.  Yes he can put it together and still be a good NBA player but portlands been saying that for the past 3 years now


I'm not trying to knock the discussion at all here, but id much rather talk about the here and now, this teams been in title contention the past three years and we need to savor the flavor.  we have plenty of time to talk about who the future centers gonna be when this team starts to rebuild.

[ManUp]

I'm pretty sure the plan is Dwight Howard. Doesn't necessarily mean it will or is likely to happen, but that is probably Danny's aim. After that who knows if we miss out or he stays we'll just have to deal with the issue then.

[Donoghus]

I think Kristic will probably be the guy short-term.  I wouldn't be against taking a low cost flyer on Oden but my expectations for him would be very tempered. 

The future is probably through the draft to be honest with you.

[Cman]

There's no answer to this.  Or, rather, at this point, the most likely answer is that the future is Nenad Krstic.

I know everyone here wants Dwight Howard, but the reality is that Danny isn't necessarily gearing up for a run at Dwight Howard, but rather at a run at free agents/ players on the trading block for the post-Big 3 era. 

Moreover, Danny has created some flexibility for this, but not as much as one might think.  There is not going to be as much room under the salary cap (barring big changes to the CBA) in 2012 given that (a) Jeff Green will be signed to an extension and (b) if BBD isn't, then a replacement will be found using the MLE and (c) Krstic will likely be resigned as well. On top of all that youve got (d) the salary cap holds on KG and Ray Allen.... all of which adds up to not a whole lot of room under the cap to chase after pipe dreams like Dwight Howard.

[boscel33]

I said Dwight Howard comes to the C's in an earlier post, but was shot down due to cap reasons.  I believe that he will be the Center after the 2012 season.  Rondo/Green/Pierce/Howard w/Garnett and Allen as role players.

I then read that Boston could be a viable spot for him and he could be a fit, even with the cap.

Dream big, that's what I say.

[greg683x]

I said Dwight Howard comes to the C's in an earlier post, but was shot down due to cap reasons.  I believe that he will be the Center after the 2012 season.  Rondo/Green/Pierce/Howard w/Garnett and Allen as role players.

I then read that Boston could be a viable spot for him and he could be a fit, even with the cap.

Dream big, that's what I say.

he can be a fit in a lot of places.  doesnt mean hes going to go there

[wvuceltics]

As of now it is obviously none of the players on our roster. Shaq is too old, Jermaine is more fragile then a jenga game, Nenad is also fairly old and Troy Murphy is... well Troy Murphy.
I have complete faith in Danny that he will find somebody in the draft or bring in a free agent.
I'm drooling over the thought of Dwight Howard, but realistically I dont see it happening. (can you imagine how many alley-oops Rondo and Howard would connect on?) I thought Semih was a solid center, he might not have been a starter but would have been a solid reserve for some years.
Who knows maybe Danny will bring Robert Swift back into the picture! hahahaha

http://wildandrondoful.wordpress.com/

[Lucky17]

The Celtics' next long-term center will probably come via a trade.

I don't buy that Ainge is clearing the decks to make Dwight Howard an offer when he becomes a free agent. Instead, I think he's going to use that cap space to acquire an elite big from a financially strapped/rebuilding franchise.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

Let's get Roy Hibbert.

[clover]

I say 30% chance it's Howard, 45% chance it's Krstic, and 25% chance it's someone else, but a big, beefy guy--and not Curry!

[clover]

I say 30% chance it's Howard, 45% chance it's Krstic, and 25% chance it's someone else, but a big, beefy guy--and not Curry!

[Witch-King]

Well, it's safe to say that the Celtics' future at center won't be Kendrick Perkins. I picked Kristic but it sure would be nice if the C's were somehow able to acquire D. Howard from Orlando.

[outcry]

As of now it is obviously none of the players on our roster. Shaq is too old, Jermaine is more fragile then a jenga game, Nenad is also fairly old and Troy Murphy is... well Troy Murphy.
I have complete faith in Danny that he will find somebody in the draft or bring in a free agent.
I'm drooling over the thought of Dwight Howard, but realistically I dont see it happening. (can you imagine how many alley-oops Rondo and Howard would connect on?) I thought Semih was a solid center, he might not have been a starter but would have been a solid reserve for some years.
Who knows maybe Danny will bring Robert Swift back into the picture! hahahaha

Krstic is 27. I wouldn't consider that fairly old at all. I picture Nenad being a backup in the future, although I'm guessing he starts next year especially if Shaq retires. Ainge needs to go all out and do whatever possible to reel in Howard.

[billysan]

I dont believe we get Howard. If he leaves Orlando I think he goes to LA or New York.

Our path forward at center will be by committee via FA/Draft and start with Krstic next season along with hopefully Davis as the backup. Another year of JO is likely if he gets healthy enough to contribute to a championship run. Shaq should retire wether we win or not most likely, but will he?

I also want to remind everyone where AL Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins were drafted, 15th and 23rd if memory serves. I have no doubt that if a decent bigman project that can play center comes up in the draft Danny Ainge will quickly pull the trigger in the next two years.