Boston Celtics: 3 options to replace Tristan Thompson in starting lineup

Boston Celtics replacement option No. 3) Serge Ibaka

Last but certainly not least, we have a replacement option that could be attained by means of free agency in veteran big, Serge Ibaka.

Currently suiting up for the Los Angeles Clippers, the 31-year-old started 39 of a possible 41 games this season, where he would go on to post 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 34 percent shooting from deep.

Now, while these stats won’t necessarily blow anyone away, this fact actually may work in Boston’s favor, as it could keep his price range within the MLE territory where, due to their salary restraints, is as far as they’ll be able to go when it comes to contract negotiations.

Making a career for himself as a rim-protecting savant, the man referred to as Iblacka has also managed to become quite a reliable floor spacer over the last several seasons, as he shoots a career average of 36 percent from long range, both attributes could be of great use for the Celtics at the starting center position.

Now, though he has a player option for next season, with the fact that the Clippers are currently down 2-1 to the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, should they be trounced from the postseason in the early rounds for the second consecutive year, star Kawhi Leonard — who was one of the main reasons why Ibaka signed with Los Angeles — could easily find himself jumping ship which could have the center opt-out of his deal as well and, in turn, test the free agency market.

Should this hypothetical scenario wind up becoming a reality, we at HH see no reason why the center-starved Boston Celtics shouldn’t heavily pursue the 3x NBA All-Defensive selection and 2x blocks champion.