Boston Celtics: 3 targets for C’s to sign in wake of Robert Williams’s injury
The Boston Celtics face their first bit of serious adversity since the turn of the new year with starting center and rising star, Robert Williams, tearing his meniscus.
Time Lord opted to have part of his meniscus removed and is on a timeline to return in four to six weeks.
This would mean the Celtics will have to at least survive without the services of their prized big man until the Eastern Conference Semifinals, should they handle their business in the first round.
There is cause for concern as they boast a record of just 8-9 in games played without him, which is certainly not an ideal mark.
One interesting thing to note is that Brad Stevens and the C’s still have an open roster spot.
There are a plethora of guys that can provide some of what Rob brought to the table in terms of being a serviceable rim runner offensively and a presence in the paint. The reality is Boston is not going to be able to adequately replace his play and skill set as currently equipped.
Guys like Daniel Theis, Grant Williams, and Al Horford are trying to pick up the slack by committee, but none of their games/skillsets are remotely similar to Williams’. After all, the man is a freak athlete and the types of plays he makes are rare and the presence he is in the middle on both ends is unmatched.
Right now, the Boston Celtics just need to sign a player that can immediately contribute in a nightly rotation and provide any of the following: rim protection, defending the pick-and-roll, being a lob target, keeping possessions alive on the boards, or having an underrated passing ability out of the post.
With this is ming, here are 3 targets for the Boston Celtics to consider signing in wake of Robert Williams’ injury:
Boston Celtics target No. 1) Willie Cauley-Stein
The Boston Celtics could pick up their bargain bin Robert Williams in the form of the free-agent center, Willie Cauley Stein. Once a lottery pick for the Sacramento Kings with loads of promise on both sides of the ball, he now finds himself out of the NBA for the time being.
The seven-footer with a 240-pound frame has played six years in the NBA with four different teams (Sixers, Mavericks, Kings, and Warriors). He has career averages of 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 54 percent shooting from the field.
This year, Willie really couldn’t find his rhythm with Dallas as he saw his minutes cut in half and ended up getting waived after 18 games near the trade deadline. He was promptly picked up by Philly for a tryout as Joel Embiid’s backup but was quickly released when they had the chance to sign DeAndre Jordan.
I have no idea how the 28-year-old remains on the market as he is a capable shot blocker, is mobile enough to switch defensively–which Boston loves to do with their bigs–and is a decent enough lob threat, not to the likes of Williams but no one is if we are being honest.
Unlike Rob, the former lottery pick has more range on his shot with a more than reliable in-between game. The Celtics should give him a look as a potential backup five or short-term double big pairing partner with Al Horford.
The big man is fighting to stay in the league, and sometimes hunger turns into impact.