Boston Celtics: 5 centers the Cs must pursue in 2021

Steven Adams

The New Orleans Pelicans came into the season as one of the potential risers to watch for in the Western Conference due to having Zion Williamson for a full season, re-signing Brandon Ingram…and because of the acquisition of Steven Adams to replace Derrick Favors in the frontcourt.

Overall, the experiment has been somewhat of a bust, with NOLA off to a 5-8 start. There’s plenty of time for the team to reverse course, but the talent may not end up gelling like pundits expected them to.

If things continue to flatline in the Bayou, Boston should inquire about Adams’ availability.

Rudy Gobert

The biggest fish the Cs can possibly land is Rudy Gobert, and while he may not seem to be immediately available–what with the Jazz sitting a half-game back of the top of the Western Conference–any hint of dissension in Utah should inspire Danny Ainge to rush to his office line and dial out to Salt Lake City.

Gobert and Donovan Mitchell famously had a fall-out in the aftermath of the beginning of the COVID-19 nightmare last year after the Frenchman was careless about the virus (this, of course, before we knew what it was capable of).

Blowing a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2020 postseason was not an ideal way to repair things, and another collapse could be the death knell in the pair’s relationship. Given Mitchell signed a supermax extension, Gobert would be the one available if there is a deal for one of them.