Do the Celtics need to turn their attention towards getting a true center?

[Eddie20]

Chris Kaman


This should be target # 1 with our MLE. We were obviously interested in him at deadline. He has a vast skill-set and equally as important is his ability to play in the post.  He just turned 30, so a multi-year deal for MLE is something that would work for both sides. Our offense runs so much more effectively when we have had someone in the post (think Sheed, KG, and Shaq).

I'm pretty sure that the C's won't have the MLE this year since they are under the cap.  Even if the reach the cap after signing free agents they still won't get it.

They will only be under the cap if they renounce players. Something Ainge said he would not do.

[Who]

Garnett will play the five.

Sullinger and Bass (hopefully) the four. Stiemsma backing up KG. JJJ and Fab Melo as third stringers. Hopefully, another more proven big man as an additional third stringer also. Wilcox would be great.

[Who]

Other free agent C possibilites:

1. Brendan Haywood. Depending on whether the Mavs buy him out or not.
2. Robin Lopez. Phoenix may want to keep him around for the rebuilding process.
3. Greg Oden. Has only played 82 games in 5 years. Yikes.
4. Hasheem Thabeet. Yikes?

I don't see Omer Asik as a distinct possibility since the Bulls will probably match any offer the Celts make.

I like Thabeet and think he still has a chance to make in the NBA (in the right situation) but he is too much of a project to rely upon next year. Fab Melo offers just as much in the immediate sense. So no point in signing Thabeet.

Greg Oden is too much of a question mark post injuries to take a chance on with this roster.

Robin Lopez, I like. Good alternative to Stiemsma as a backup center. R.Lopez has struggled to perform for large chunks of his pro career but there is some talent there. I'd like to keep Stiemsma in case R.Lopez struggles though.

Brendan Haywood would make an excellent backup center. I wouldn't start him alongside Garnett though. I don't think he adds enough value to the Celtics to justify going away from their smaller lineup with Garnett at center. I prefer Haywood as a 20-24mpg backup.

[wdleehi]

Take a flyer on Oden.  



If he fails, KG, Steimer and Melo ends up as the C rotation.  



I like the idea of going after a large PF more.

[Cman]

Yes.

I like the idea of Kaman, if he's available cheap (but he wont). I think KG and Kaman as the starting PF and C combo would be great.

I also like the Robin Lopez idea that someone floated. Maybe link that idea with the rumor that Phoenix is pursuing Ray Allen and work some sort of S&T of Allen for Lopez? Phoenix would want a bit more, though...

[chambers]

Kaman is a huge injury risk, he's made of glass. He repairs every 2 or 3 months, looks great and then gets injured again.
That being said I wouldn't mind him.

I actually think Fab, despite his lack of understanding of our rotations, will have a good chance at starting Center because of his size and strength. I guess it depends how quickly KG can break his balls in training camp.

Also remember we have Krstic's rights. He's been player of the year in the Euroleague and is killing it.

[Fafnir]

I want KG to still be getting the bulk of his minutes at C. We still need another big man to flesh out the rotation, I'd like Bass back but I'd be open to many of the other options people have brought up.

[Snakehead]

I want KG to still be getting the bulk of his minutes at C. We still need another big man to flesh out the rotation, I'd like Bass back but I'd be open to many of the other options people have brought up.

Me too.  I hope KG come back and realizes C is good for his career really, even if he does take a beating.

If we have more bigs we can spell him at C at least and let him play PF.  Perhaps Sullinger can ala Big Baby.

[Evantime34]

I think Camby is the best option, he can rebound block shots and defend.

I expect Kg, Stiemsma, Green and Wilcox all to be back. Despite having Sullinger, JJJ and Melo I expect us to add two more bigs to that rotation. We need to do whatever we can to keep KG's minutes down.

[SHAQATTACK]

Unless its an emergency situation during a game , playoff ect , KG an't playing center fulltime if he comes back.  That will be decided soon I imagine.

If we want somebody like Kaman for a run this year, we'll probally have to pony -up some combo Bradley , JJJ, Moore , Bass , Allen or  and draft picks/or $$$

I guess it's gonna come down to do you want to sacrifice part of the  future like..(BRADLEY , JJJ, MOORE, Sully) to gain a piece like Kaman who can go a long way to help out this year and the next.

Glade ...I'm not the one that makes these choices.  

Right now..I'm leaning towards Camby, and Wilcox though....knowing how much will have to be given up to get a quality Center .

[Who]

I want KG to still be getting the bulk of his minutes at C. We still need another big man to flesh out the rotation, I'd like Bass back but I'd be open to many of the other options people have brought up.

Me too.  I hope KG come back and realizes C is good for his career really, even if he does take a beating.

If we have more bigs we can spell him at C at least and let him play PF.  Perhaps Sullinger can ala Big Baby.

I don't think Sullinger is all that good at defending post players bigger than him. It's something he can work on (with his bulk and low center of gravity) and develop but I don't think that option will be there for Boston next season. 

Better off leaving Sullinger on guys his own size at PF. Well, and non-scoring threats at center.

Garnett will need to take the talented centers himself.

[Who]

I think Camby will be looking for a 2-3 year contract and I am not comfortable giving him anything more than a one year deal. So I wouldn't pursue Camby unless he accepted my teams (one-year-only).

Chris Kaman might be have similar desires. This will be his last sizable contract. He should be looking for a 3-4 year deal here and, if so, I have no interest in him.

Going back and forth on how interested I am in a one-year deal with Kaman. With his injury troubles, indifferent defense and questionable decision making. I think it's a chance I end up taking but I am not totally comfortable with it. I'd use Kaman as a backup center rather than a starter if signed.

[Cman]

If we want somebody like Kaman for a run this year, we'll probally have to pony -up some combo Bradley , JJJ, Moore , Bass , Allen or  and draft picks/or $$$

Isn't Kaman an UFA? We could just sign him.

[Evantime34]

I think Camby will be looking for a 2-3 year contract and I am not comfortable giving him anything more than a one year deal. So I wouldn't pursue Camby unless he accepted my teams (one-year-only).

Chris Kaman might be have similar desires. This will be his last sizable contract. He should be looking for a 3-4 year deal here and, if so, I have no interest in him.

Going back and forth on how interested I am in a one-year deal with Kaman. With his injury troubles, indifferent defense and questionable decision making. I think it's a chance I end up taking but I am not totally comfortable with it. I'd use Kaman as a backup center rather than a starter if signed.

What makes you think that about Camby? I expect him to want a one year deal because he's old and isn't sure how much longer he can play.

[Eddie20]

If we want somebody like Kaman for a run this year, we'll probally have to pony -up some combo Bradley , JJJ, Moore , Bass , Allen or  and draft picks/or $$$

Isn't Kaman an UFA? We could just sign him.

Yes.