The Boston Celtics have a roster spot to fill, and since we know its not Andrew Bogut, here are some candidates
It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics are searching for an interior presence. If you look past all of the Kyrie Irving stories and blurbs, you’ll see a whole lot of Andrew Bogut talk. The Celtics were a likely landing spot for the former number one overall pick, but the 7 foot center decided to go west and sign a one year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
So now Danny Ainge and the Celtics are left at a bit of a standstill. Do they continue to try and fill the final roster spot with a center? Or does the Boston brass embrace the new way of the NBA and go with a smaller lineup?
Say the Celtics continue to pursue a rim protector. With Bogut off the market, who else is available? Let’s take a look at the interesting state of free agent centers.
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Roy Hibbert
Hibbert is a fascinating case of a player who went from all star to afterthought in about 20 months. He’s a prototypical rim protector. A presence underneath and someone who can deter shots on the defensive end was something that every team needed a few years ago. Now many teams have abandoned that role. In a league where pick and pops have become the norm, the paint isn’t as vital as it used to be. With this change, Hibbert and many other big men are no longer valuable assets.
So what can he offer in Boston? Well not much else. Yeah, he’ll have his fair share of blocks, but that’s about it. Shooting centers are now hot in the streets, and that’s not something Hibbert can defend. Add in smaller, shooter-centric lineups, and he’s now a situational player.
The NBA’s evolution has really hurt this former Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Unfortunately, Hibbert is not the guy the Celtics are looking for.
Thomas Robinson
The Celtics worked out Robinson three weeks ago, but have yet to follow up on their reported interest. At 26, the Kansas product is one of the younger bigs currently available.
Robinson could surely help the Celtics’ front court needs. He’s played for six teams since coming out as a lottery pick in 2012, but has never truly seen consistent playing time in any of those spots. At 6’10, he’s slightly undersized to be considered a center, but his athletic frame and rebounding ability would prove valuable in Boston.
There’s not a ton of risk here, and Robinson is someone who has proven himself as an effective big man over the last few years. Again, low risk, potentially high reward – makes sense to me.
Lavoy Allen
With recent roster moves, Boston has quickly become the 5th youngest team in the NBA. Bringing in 28-year-old Allen could bring some experience into the locker room, which is always helpful with a younger group.
Being on the right side of 30, and showing good skill on the offensive glass, Allen is another viable option for the Celtics.
Spencer Hawes
The recently waived big man hasn’t come up in many conversations as the solution to Boston’s need at big, but I think he’s worth a discussion.
Hawes is a stretch five who can shoot from beyond the arc and grab rebounds underneath. He’s 7’1 and has been in the league for 10 years now. Again, if Ainge wants to add a veteran presence with size, Hawes has to be included in the conversation.
Last season in Milwaukee saw a decrease in his three point percentage and his rebounding numbers dropped as well. However Hawes is a proven rotational player, who is a great locker room presence and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t rooting for him to end up in Boston.
Do I think that’ll happen? Probably not.
David Lee
Hey, remember David Lee? Yeah he was pretty good with the Knicks and Warriors.
I think that about covers David Lee.
Familiarity , Gerald Green
The Celtics can stick with familiarity while going small – Green. Green is another nice option of someone who came on strong for Boston last year, and would be good veteran presence for this young team.
If Ainge decides to abandon the search for a big man, I think many Celtics fans will be rooting for Green to return to TD Garden and fill that final spot.
Next: Irving Adds Fuel to Rivalry
As training camp is on the horizon, time will tell if/how the Celtics use free agency to fill their last roster slot. The options are certainly out there.