Boston Celtics: 3 realistic additions that could make C’s title favorites

Serge Ibaka

To be frank, I cannot believe we haven’t talked more about the idea of the Boston Celtics pursuing Serge Ibaka this offseason. The more I think about it, the more I believe this pairing would be a match made in Heaven.

Of all the areas on the team we’ve discussed that need improvements, the front court and, more specifically their center position has certainly been the most talked about. Yes, their current answer at the five in Daniel Theis has actually played quite well for the team in his first season as the official starter. Still, even with this, many worry that he may not be the ideal presence down low when forced to compete with the other talented bigs come playoff time — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Vučević, etc.

Don’t get me wrong, Theis is a great asset to have for this Celtics team moving forward. However, it just appears it would be best for the them if they could somehow find an improvement to replace him with in the starting-five and, in turn, have the German big come off the pine.

Ibaka could prove to be that improvement.

Simply put, his game would be an unbelievable addition to this already menacing Boston team. Currently, the 30-year-old big finds himself in the midst of one his best seasons in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 16 points, 8.3 rebounds and just shy of a block per game on 52 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep.

Offensively he has solid post moves and can reliably help the team better space the floor (shoots 36 percent from deep for his career). Defensively, well, we know how good he can be. The man referred to as “Serge I-block-a” is a 3x All-Defensive First-Team selection and a 2x NBA blocks leader — averages 2.1 blocks a game for his career.

Since coming into the league back in 2009 the seven-footer has garnered ample postseason experience (has made nine appearances), seeing seven deep runs and, last season, attaining his first championship with the Raptors.

Two big things a team looks for in their center: an ability to space the floor and play solid defense. Ibaka has proven more than capable of providing both these attributes.

Some may find it a hard thing to believe that any team could pry Ibaka away from Toronto this offseason. However, if his main goal is to win another ring, he might be able to be convinced to switch area codes — or countries, in this situation — if a greater opportunity were to arise.

While the Raptors are still currently the reigning league champions and rank second in the east’s standings, the future of the conference appears to be with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.

With the possibility of Fred VanVleet singing somewhere else this offseason growing stronger everyday — a team like the New York Knicks could very realistically offer him an obscene contract — and with core guys like Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol heading into their mid & late 30’s, respectively, the Rap’s championship window appears to be closing as quickly as it had initially opened.

Joining a much younger core consisting of younglings like Jayson Tatum (22), Jaylen Brown (23) & Marcus Smart (26) as well as early-30’s talents such as Kemba Walker (30) and Gordon Hayward (30) might appear to be more of an enticing move for the 30-year-old Serge Ibaka.