Which team has our center?

[Rosco917]

I think almost everyone agree's on the forum, the Celtics would benefit if we had a real center, a shot blocking, defender/presence in the paint, to go along with our already strong perimeter D. I feel this would give us possibly one of the best defenses in the NBA. If not the best. This type of reputation, draws in stars that like to score the ball.

I'm not talking about all-stars here, I'm talking about a young, or semi-young reserve center, 21 to 26 years old, who's game still has room to grow, maybe needs a chance, or maybe just playing behind a star. Someone we don't have to over pay for.

Example: Nerlins Noel, not exactly a secret I know, but some of you guys really know the NBA rosters...any sleepers out there?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The Golden State Warriors.

[Hawkeye199]

Indiana Pacers

they have myles turner a 19 year old stretch 5

[aingeforthree]

You named him.  Noel.

Something on the 76er roster has to give.  It's Noel, if Embiid is a legit candidate to actually play a game in the league.

[Eddie20]

Can he play center though for a full 82? Scal questioned it too because of how thin he is.

[Smartacus]

The Golden State Warriors.

A Festus for the rest of us?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

The Golden State Warriors.

A Festus for the rest of us?

I Ezeli what you did there.

Yes. I like Festus to come to us. He's a restricted Free Agent like Harrison Barnes, and I think only one of them can be retained by the Warriors if both get max or near max offers. Chances are they'd retain Ezeli more than Barnes but it should not stop us from making a competitive offer.

He still has problems with his hands, but he's an offensive rebounding specialist, good defender, good character.

[Smartacus]

Something that I'm surprised has seen essentially no discussion around here is the prospect of trading for Tyson Chandler at the deadline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUmsA6EAVQ
13 pts 27 Rebs and 5 Assists

Caught this game about a week or so back and came away pretty impressed considering he's fallen off the radar this year in Phoenix. He's locked into a fairly reasonable 4 Year $52 million and has playoff and team USA experience.

Could be a great fit with Isaiah in the pick and roll and Phoenix mainly signed him to attempt to lure Lamarcus Aldridge. I wouldn't be surprised to see Chandler moved at the deadline and think it's definitely conceivable that we're the team that makes a play for him.

[chilidawg]

We're already the 2nd best D in the league.  The 6 teams with the top offensive ratings are the top 6 teams by record.   We're the 13th best offense (improving though). 

Any center we get needs to be able to contribute offensively.  Atlanta, Golden State, New Jersey come to mind.  Especially Atlanta.

[Smartacus]

The Golden State Warriors.

A Festus for the rest of us?

I Ezeli what you did there.

Yes. I like Festus to come to us. He's a restricted Free Agent like Harrison Barnes, and I think only one of them can be retained by the Warriors if both get max or near max offers. Chances are they'd retain Ezeli more than Barnes but it should not stop us from making a competitive offer.

He still has problems with his hands, but he's an offensive rebounding specialist, good defender, good character.

Absolutely agree, he's the right age, just entering his prime, doesn't need plays drawn up for him. It's a long shot but it'd be a great move if we could pry him out GS. 

[Vermont Green]

We're already the 2nd best D in the league.   The 6 teams with the top offensive ratings are the top 6 teams by record.   We're the 13th best offense (improving though). 

Any center we get needs to be able to contribute offensively.  Atlanta, Golden State, New Jersey come to mind.  Especially Atlanta.

What are you basing this on?  I checked ESPN and we are giving up 100.3 points per game putting us 10th in the league.

[Ilikesports17]

We're already the 2nd best D in the league.   The 6 teams with the top offensive ratings are the top 6 teams by record.   We're the 13th best offense (improving though). 

Any center we get needs to be able to contribute offensively.  Atlanta, Golden State, New Jersey come to mind.  Especially Atlanta.

What are you basing this on?  I checked ESPN and we are giving up 100.3 points per game putting us 10th in the league.

I think it's points allowed per 100 possessions

[loco_91]

I like the Al Horford idea a lot. Seems like a great fit on this team. Then there's Brook Lopez, who we probably won't get for a fair price but Danny should at least try. Make the Nets worse and give us a really good scorer.

[Dino Pitino]

We're already the 2nd best D in the league.   The 6 teams with the top offensive ratings are the top 6 teams by record.   We're the 13th best offense (improving though). 

Any center we get needs to be able to contribute offensively.  Atlanta, Golden State, New Jersey come to mind.  Especially Atlanta.

What are you basing this on?  I checked ESPN and we are giving up 100.3 points per game putting us 10th in the league.

I think it's points allowed per 100 possessions

Defensive Rating. Spurs are first, Celtics second.
Noel would put us at the top, equal to or ahead of SA.

But it could be:

Philly
Miami
Atlanta
Sacramento
Memphis
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles (if Jordan available or Griffin playable at C?)
Los Angeles (if Hibbert has any fuel hidden in the tank?)

Lots of good/interesting centers theoretically available. Kind of like how lots of great 8-tracks were available circa 1980, perhaps? I mean, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, and Memphis all had hopes of contending via a big man advantage, so what does it say that they're tradeable now? Is the position becoming obsolete? I mean, hell naw, lol, center's still a huge factor, especially on defense. That's still an undervalued thing, center defense, the perfect proof of that being Noel's putative availability. Philly should be committed to Noel, not taking feelers for him in a trade. Miami should be committed to re-signing Whiteside and beginning the rebuild by trading Wade, but regardless it is rare for a center that valuable to be a non-Bird-Rights FA. Sacramento should fold the entire franchise if they are considering giving up on Cousins. Horford available only because of impending free agency. The Gasols both being available in the same deadline market is laughably improbable. Howard's availablity nearly every freaking trade season is comical for someone who's supposed to be a force, but here we are again, another deadline where Howard's situation feels temporary. Anyway, point is that there are rarely if ever this many useful/brandname centers available at once. If the deadline passes without an upgrade at center, I'll be disappointed.

[KGs Knee]

Maccabi Tel Aviv