Ranking the Centers the Celtics can obtain for next season

[Tr1boy]

My ranking

1. Embiid - If we win the lotto or Embiid drops + his health is fine. Easy choice
2. Nurkic - Massive 280 pound true center with advanced offensive skills (post, pnr). Defensively has to improve but his big body + mobility alone solves several problems in the defensive end
3. Mozgov - Alot will depend on with what happens to Mcgee. He is slotted and paid to be the nuggets starting Center . Mozgov is a legit starting calibre center. Ready to breakout if given some time on a the court. Trade idea 17th pick or a package including Jeff Green should do the trick
4. Gorgui Dieng - Similar to Denvers situation alot will depend on with what happens to Pekovic and his health. Regardless of what happens maybe he won't available anyways (insurance if Pek gets injured again or struggles). Will take the 17th pick at least to obtain. Lacks offensive skills/post game.
4. Cole Aldrich - Came on strong at the end of the year filling in for Chandler. After all these years building experience finally looks like is "getting" it . A younger, cheaper and more skilled option to Asik .  Knicks likely to pickup team option to keep him next season and the  Celtics could find a creative way to obtain him. (trade 17th for 2 later picks and give the knicks an early 2nd round pick for him)


Centers the Celtics should avoid obtaining
5. Asik - A Very good defensive Center that can't slowdown skilled centers. Little to no offensive game + would only be a rental.  If we can obtain him just by using the TE , plus we have no other options then i would be fine getting him. But again he would not be a long term solution and is a pilon out there on the offensive end
6. Gortat - He is going to want money and to play for a contender.  If the Celtics want to give him 15 million a year , he will gladly come.  And thats not going to happen
7. Emeka OKafor - Another guy who is going to want to get paid regardless of his health situation. The Celtics cannot risk the money on a guy that could be out half the year

[Monkhouse]

My ranking

1. Embiid - If we win the lotto or Embiid drops + his health is fine. Easy choice
2. Nurkic - Massive 280 pound true center with advanced offensive skills (post, pnr). Defensively has to improve but his big body + mobility alone solves several problems in the defensive end
3. Mozgov - Alot will depend on with what happens to Mcgee. He is slotted and paid to be the nuggets starting Center . Mozgov is a legit starting calibre center. Ready to breakout if given some time on a the court. Trade idea 17th pick or a package including Jeff Green should do the trick
4. Gorgui Dieng - Similar to Denvers situation alot will depend on with what happens to Pekovic and his health. Regardless of what happens maybe he won't available anyways (insurance if Pek gets injured again or struggles). Will take the 17th pick at least to obtain. Lacks offensive skills/post game.
4. Cole Aldrich - Came on strong at the end of the year filling in for Chandler. After all these years building experience finally looks like is "getting" it . A younger, cheaper and more skilled option to Asik .  Knicks likely to pickup team option to keep him next season and the  Celtics could find a creative way to obtain him. (trade 17th for 2 later picks and give the knicks an early 2nd round pick for him)


Centers the Celtics should avoid obtaining
5. Asik - A Very good defensive Center that can't slowdown skilled centers. Little to no offensive game + would only be a rental.  If we can obtain him just by using the TE , plus we have no other options then i would be fine getting him. But again he would not be a long term solution and is a pilon out there on the offensive end
6. Gortat - He is going to want money and to play for a contender.  If the Celtics want to give him 15 million a year , he will gladly come.  And thats not going to happen
7. Emeka OKafor - Another guy who is going to want to get paid regardless of his health situation. The Celtics cannot risk the money on a guy that could be out half the year

I actually don't like the order of the list...

I never understood why people seem to think Embiid is a superstar. What has he honestly proven? Yes he has flashes in which he has skilled post moves, and is intelligent, but this guy has a stress fracture... That is extremely hazardous for a player of his size to continually remain healthy... I would rank him as our 3rd or 4th best option. I would LOVE him on the Celtics, but I'm horribly wary of his health conditions, and whether or not his viability on the court will remain consistent.

Nurkic/Mozgov are great bruising Centers, but they don't offer any rim protection... I love Mozgov, and I really was vying for Ainge to go after him during the Big 3 era, but that time has come and passed. Mozgov is 27, and hasn't shown any huge improvements or abilities to his game.

And how do you know Okafor is going to get paid? There's a difference between wanting, and getting paid big bucks. No one is going to offer him any more than the MLE especially with the cap restrictions. 5 million increase of the cap is great, but taking on an aging Center that is coming off a season ending injury will leave some potential candidates/scouts/GM's worried.

As for Asik, I think the bloggers here are on and off about him. He brings two great skill sets: defense, and rebounding. I think Asik is very underrated in his ability to anchor a defense. I do agree though, Asik is probably one of the worst Centers to have offensively... Perkins even seems to have a better feel for the game than Asik.

I would rank my list like this, and its divided based on the categories of, attainability, durability, and overall strengths/weaknesses.

1: Asik
2: Okafor
3: Embiid
4: Mozgov
5: Sanders

I like your list and reasons though triboy16f. No doubt, and I do think this will definitely make Danny Ainge think about the future rim protector that we have been seeking for years now.

[BleedGreen1989]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

[Monkhouse]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

I think at some point there were like 8 hate Rondo threads.

[BleedGreen1989]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

I think at some point there were like 8 hate Rondo threads.

Oh yeah, but that's just part of signing up for CelticsBlog.

Name, age, email, and if you hate/love Rajon Rondo.

[Monkhouse]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

I think at some point there were like 8 hate Rondo threads.

Oh yeah, but that's just part of signing up for CelticsBlog.

Name, age, email, and if you hate/love Rajon Rondo.

Well entertain me if you got the time, who do you think we should go after Center wise?

I think Asik is the best choice, and I think Ron Adams being here would make that a big factor in Asik re-signing with us.

[LooseCannon]

I like Asik as a potential long-term solution.  I'd be willing to trade a non-lottery pick for him and have him under contract for a season to evaluate him before signing him to a longer deal.

I honestly like him better than any other guy mentioned.

[BleedGreen1989]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

I think at some point there were like 8 hate Rondo threads.

Oh yeah, but that's just part of signing up for CelticsBlog.

Name, age, email, and if you hate/love Rajon Rondo.

Well entertain me if you got the time, who do you think we should go after Center wise?

I think Asik is the best choice, and I think Ron Adams being here would make that a big factor in Asik re-signing with us.

I agree. Have been on board with Asik for awhile.

I would like a center who can start right away and play defense and rebound.

Embiid would obviously be nice but I think he's a long way away from playing 30+ mins a game and contributing on a nightly basis.

[Monkhouse]

I honestly don't mean any offense by this, but aren't there like 4 other threads with basically the same topic?

Also, you're sleeping on the Pale Turk.

I think at some point there were like 8 hate Rondo threads.

Oh yeah, but that's just part of signing up for CelticsBlog.

Name, age, email, and if you hate/love Rajon Rondo.

Well entertain me if you got the time, who do you think we should go after Center wise?

I think Asik is the best choice, and I think Ron Adams being here would make that a big factor in Asik re-signing with us.

I agree. Have been on board with Asik for awhile.

I would like a center who can start right away and play defense and rebound.

Embiid would obviously be nice but I think he's a long way away from playing 30+ mins a game and contributing on a nightly basis.

I really do like Embiid, and I wouldn't mind trading any of the future Nets pick if we could move up 2-3 picks. But.... Like I said Embiid's injury leaves some concerns. The best thing about Asik that I love is hes a great defender against the pick and rolls. Didn't we get destroyed like crazy when defending the pick and roll this year?

I think if Embiid was somehow drafted, that CBS would only give him 10-15 MPG, due to possible future injuries.

[Tr1boy]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

[Monkhouse]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

One game.

Okafor is going to be heavily recruited by contenders that are looking to add an above average back up Center for around the MLE. I don't know where you think hes going to seriously get over 6 mil. I think 5 is his max with 2-3 extra years included.

As for Asik, like I said, I agree. Hes awful offensively, and even Perkins seems to do better on offense.

But Asik is a better defender than Mozgov, and is a better rebounder per 36.

Hes also going to be the easiest to grab... TPE/Clippers pick, Bogans? Or something else in the mix? Mozgov is going to at least demand a first round pick, or a few second rounders, and I wouldn't give that for Mozgov who is also getting paid 4 mil per year...

[Tr1boy]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

One game.

Okafor is going to be heavily recruited by contenders that are looking to add an above average back up Center for around the MLE. I don't know where you think hes going to seriously get over 6 mil. I think 5 is his max with 2-3 extra years included.

As for Asik, like I said, I agree. Hes awful offensively, and even Perkins seems to do better on offense.

But Asik is a better defender than Mozgov, and is a better rebounder per 36.

Hes also going to be the easiest to grab... TPE/Clippers pick, Bogans? Or something else in the mix? Mozgov is going to at least demand a first round pick, or a few second rounders, and I wouldn't give that for Mozgov who is also getting paid 4 mil per year...

I do get your points. But Mozgov's offense plus decent defensive capabilities outweight what Asik can provide. Plus Asik is a short term rental.

Don't let Mozgov's low rebounding #'s some games fool you. It's bc of Faried its lower

But I agree if all it takes is the TPE and a future 2nd or something, to go after Asik 1st.  But otherwise there are better options imo

We all saw what Aldridge did to Asik in the playoffs.  Asik is a good defensive Center, but not elite and can't make things up on the offensive end

[BleedGreen1989]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

One game.

Okafor is going to be heavily recruited by contenders that are looking to add an above average back up Center for around the MLE. I don't know where you think hes going to seriously get over 6 mil. I think 5 is his max with 2-3 extra years included.

As for Asik, like I said, I agree. Hes awful offensively, and even Perkins seems to do better on offense.

But Asik is a better defender than Mozgov, and is a better rebounder per 36.

Hes also going to be the easiest to grab... TPE/Clippers pick, Bogans? Or something else in the mix? Mozgov is going to at least demand a first round pick, or a few second rounders, and I wouldn't give that for Mozgov who is also getting paid 4 mil per year...

I do get your points. But Mozgov's offense plus decent defensive capabilities outweight what Asik can provide. Plus Asik is a short term rental.

Don't let Mozgov's low rebounding #'s some games fool you. It's bc of Faried its lower

But I agree if all it takes is the TPE and a future 2nd or something, to go after Asik 1st.  But otherwise there are better options imo

We all saw what Aldridge did to Asik in the playoffs.  Asik is a good defensive Center, but not elite and can't make things up on the offensive end

Why is Asik a short term rental?

[Tr1boy]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

One game.

Okafor is going to be heavily recruited by contenders that are looking to add an above average back up Center for around the MLE. I don't know where you think hes going to seriously get over 6 mil. I think 5 is his max with 2-3 extra years included.

As for Asik, like I said, I agree. Hes awful offensively, and even Perkins seems to do better on offense.

But Asik is a better defender than Mozgov, and is a better rebounder per 36.

Hes also going to be the easiest to grab... TPE/Clippers pick, Bogans? Or something else in the mix? Mozgov is going to at least demand a first round pick, or a few second rounders, and I wouldn't give that for Mozgov who is also getting paid 4 mil per year...

I do get your points. But Mozgov's offense plus decent defensive capabilities outweight what Asik can provide. Plus Asik is a short term rental.

Don't let Mozgov's low rebounding #'s some games fool you. It's bc of Faried its lower

But I agree if all it takes is the TPE and a future 2nd or something, to go after Asik 1st.  But otherwise there are better options imo

We all saw what Aldridge did to Asik in the playoffs.  Asik is a good defensive Center, but not elite and can't make things up on the offensive end

Why is Asik a short term rental?

bc after next season he is a UFA.

[Monkhouse]

No offense. But what would okafor solve?? He is injury prone and a short term fix , especially for a contender.

Asik again a short term fix with no offense.

Mozgov had a 29 rebound, 3 blocks,  20 point game last year. 
He destroyed bogut. He is a starter, just needs min on the court

One game.

Okafor is going to be heavily recruited by contenders that are looking to add an above average back up Center for around the MLE. I don't know where you think hes going to seriously get over 6 mil. I think 5 is his max with 2-3 extra years included.

As for Asik, like I said, I agree. Hes awful offensively, and even Perkins seems to do better on offense.

But Asik is a better defender than Mozgov, and is a better rebounder per 36.

Hes also going to be the easiest to grab... TPE/Clippers pick, Bogans? Or something else in the mix? Mozgov is going to at least demand a first round pick, or a few second rounders, and I wouldn't give that for Mozgov who is also getting paid 4 mil per year...

I do get your points. But Mozgov's offense plus decent defensive capabilities outweight what Asik can provide. Plus Asik is a short term rental.

Don't let Mozgov's low rebounding #'s some games fool you. It's bc of Faried its lower

But I agree if all it takes is the TPE and a future 2nd or something, to go after Asik 1st.  But otherwise there are better options imo

We all saw what Aldridge did to Asik in the playoffs.  Asik is a good defensive Center, but not elite and can't make things up on the offensive end

Its tough to blame it all on Asik, because LMA was going absolutely nuts from mid range... I saw like 5 heavily contested fade away mid J's, that I personally wouldn't like a player taking, somehow made it in.

I don't get where you think Asik is a short term rental.

Asik basically wants this from my point of view.

1) To contend. As long as we can get a definite scorer, and possibly Love. I would consider us a dark horse contender.
2) Someone close to him. Ron Adams is here, and that would definitely make Asik more inclined to re-sign with us, plus we have huge cap flexibility in '15, so even if Asik doesn't re-sign with us. I think our cap space will allow us to go after Gasol.
3) Above all? PLAYING starter MINUTES! Asik was guaranteed a starting spot, and would be given a decent amount of money. Starting minutes, over 8 mil per year, and a promising young playoff team was enough to sell him on the deal. Chicago was far too cheap, and he wanted to stay, but wanted starting minutes which he wouldn't get.