One of the biggest issues the Boston Celtics have seen during this disappointing 2021-22 season has been their backup center minutes.
With Ime Udoka choosing to run a double big lineup to start the game consisting of Al Horford and Robert Williams, the team’s frontcourt depth has been tested extensively throughout the season.
Unfortunately, Enes Freedom hasn’t been able to maintain solid play at the center position, causing the team’s defensive scheme to fall apart whenever he’s in the game.
Additionally, his once-generational offensive rebounding and put-back ability hasn’t translated to this year’s campaign, failing to be productive under the basket.
His true shooting percentage has fallen under 59 percent while he sat around 63 percent last season. Beginning the year, he was brought in to be a depth frontcourt piece who excelled at a specific set of skills.
So far, however, those skills haven’t been a worthy reason for him to get playing time, causing the Boston Celtics to search for other potential options at backup center.
Around this time of year, tons of teams are looking to trade their veteran assets for any sort of draft capital. For the backup center position, this is even more emphasized, with teams looking for a viable player to just hold his own down low for 12 to 15 minutes a game.
With tons of potential moves they could look to make, including one potential reunion, let’s look at 3 candidates to fill this need.
Boston Celtics backup center option No. 1) Daniel Theis
Spending his first 3.5 years in Boston, Daniel Theis was once a major part of the C’s rotation in deep playoff runs. He was the starting center for the majority of his last two seasons in green and continued to do so in both Chicago and Houston.
The Rockets have no desire to compete anytime soon, just one year after their blockbuster trade of James Harden, signifying a major rebuild for the franchise. Although they did just sign Theis to a four-year deal this offseason, it wouldn’t be outlandish to move on from the German considering the state of the team.
Getting any draft capital in return for Theis would be beneficial in the long run, as the Rockets aren’t particularly close to contention. Currently 20 games under .500, the 29-year-old Theis will out-age Houston’s rebuilding timeline, which is centered around the young backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.
For Boston, Theis provides reasonable play at both ends of the court, with the ability to stretch the floor if need be. He was picked on by Bam Adebayo in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, but this time around he won’t be asked to guard the team’s starting center.
As a backup, he’d contribute more than a simple depth piece, while not being asked to play 30 minutes a night.
With rumors of the C’s shopping around Al Horford, Theis’ role could become a significant one, claiming the backup five spot for himself.
A reunion would be beneficial for both sides, as Theis played the best basketball of his career for the Celtics.
His contract fits perfectly into the $9.7 million TPE created by the Tristan Thompson trade, making it a relatively simple acquisition if Boston wishes to pull the trigger.
Boston Celtics backup center option No. 2) Mike Muscala
Mike Muscala has quietly been a productive contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the past few seasons.
Despite only playing 13.5 minutes a night as the team tries to build up the value of Derrick Favors, Muscala has been one of the best shooting big men in the league.
Averaging 8.1 points per game while shooting 43.3 percent from distance on almost four attempts a game is truly impressive efficiency. On Boston, he could provide more spacing for a struggling second unit, giving room for ball-handlers to drive and kick for open looks.
Additionally, advanced stats appreciate Muscala’s play, as he ranks in the 94th percentile of all players in effective plus-minus. In other words, he’s been one of the most impactful players in the league while playing backup center minutes on a rebuilding team.
Muscala is in the first year of a two-year, $7 million deal. Turning 31 later this season, the Thunder would be smart to move on from the flourishing big man, as contenders could use extremely efficient shooting from his position.
Mike Muscala isn’t being talked about as a piece to be acquired by contenders, but his offensive ability can be the difference between a playoff victory and defeat.
Boston Celtics backup center option No. 3) Robin Lopez
Robin Lopez is having quite a nice season for himself.
The 33-year-old finds himself averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds a night as largely a backup big man in Orlando, and, with his production, has earned playing time on a reputable team. In Orlando, the emergence of Mo Bamba has buried him on the bench, recording multiple DNP – Coach’s Decisions over the past few weeks.
Lopez fits the mold of Enes Freedom, except he’s performed considerably better on both ends of the court.
He’s hit 68% of his shots at the rim this year compared to Freedom’s 56%. Additionally, while he’s not as mobile as he once was on defense, he still holds up relatively well in the post.
On an expiring contract, Lopez would be the easiest to acquire out of all three candidates mentioned here today, as the Magic would accept practically any draft capital in exchange for the veteran. He would provide a stable, dependable presence down low in limited minutes, with coach Udoka not having to worry about him.
Unfortunately, he wouldn’t space the floor at all, operating strictly as a post-up center but, frankly, his addition could still very well prove to be worth it as he cleans up around the rim relatively well, grabbing over four offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.
Lopez certainly isn’t the flashiest name to bring to Boston, but he would improve the C’s frontcourt depth considerably.