Boston Celtics: Danny Ainge feels Robert Williams could be the future at center?

It appears as though Danny Ainge will continue to be a stubborn general manager; the Boston Celtics don’t appear to be involved for any key trade acquisitions despite needing a two-way big. He believes the solution is already on the roster.

Rejoice Boston Celtics fans! The league’s trade season is officially upon us now that December 15th — the first day in which newly-signed free agents can be traded — has come and gone.

Because of this, the media has been busy concocting schemes of how this year’s top-billed available players could make their way onto other team’s rosters before the February deadline. You’d be remiss if you didn’t believe a franchise like the Celtics were one of the team’s most often intertwined with the best of this year’s talents on the block.

From Kevin Love to Steven Adams, Andre Drummond to LaMarcus Aldridge, the C’s look to be suitors for many of this year’s marquee available names. Interestingly enough, whether you find it shocking or not, a pattern typically persists with Boston and these recent trade rumors: a majority of the players linked to Beantown are big men.

Coming into the season, one of the biggest question marks for this year’s Celtics squad was their strength at the center position. Now, 25 games in, depending on who you ask, this still is the team’s most glaring weakness in the rotation, thus having many believe the team could be in the market to sure-up their pivot.

However, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics have little interest in acquiring one of the big names on the trading block in 2019-20, while insinuating that the team could already have the answer at the five spot on their roster.

In this ESPN segment, Wojnarowski discusses how the team could certainly use a veteran center like the ones listed above, but they would be unwilling to adhere to their expected asking price — in other words, they do not want to include Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown in a deal.

He later goes on to state that, while the Celtics could benefit from bringing in a seasoned big man, Robert Williams could truly be a “long term” fit at center for Boston.

"“Robert Williams has been a revelation in his second season; [he was] their first-round pick last year,” continued Wojnarowski. “Williams is a player that Boston — not just for the short term but the long term — has a chance to have great staying power at that center position.”"

Through 19 games, the sophomore big finds himself averaging 3.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 14.2 minutes of action. Has he been a solid role player thus far this season? Yes. However, to say Williams has been a “revelation” would be a bit far fetched.

We here at the Houdini think the 22-year-old could certainly develop into a highly productive rotation player for the Boston Celtics for many years to come. His defensive prowess coupled with his athleticism make him a perfect fit alongside guys like Kemba Walker, Tatum, Brown and Gordon Hayward.

However, to not even consider bringing in another center to help bolster the position by the trade deadline because of him would be a heresy for Danny Ainge and co. We’re not saying the team necessarily has to make a move this year, but we’re highly suggesting they scour the trade market — both large and small names — to look into ways of improving their front court play.

Robert Williams is a young player with a lot of potential. Still, as of right now, he has not proven to be “the answer” at the five for the Boston Celtics.