Boston Celtics: Hollinger jokes 2 former Cs big man “legends” could be free agent options

The Boston Celtics are assessing their frontcourt options ahead of the 2022-23 season due to injuries to Robert Williams III, Luke Kornet, and Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari may not come back at all due to an ACL tear on the same leg he suffered from such an injury previously in his career, and thus may not suit up for the Cs at all, while Kornet and Williams are out varying undetermined time periods.

The most likely scenario would be Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens inking one of Noah Vonleh, Luka Šamanić, or Mfiondu Kabengele — the latter of whom is currently signed to one of the team’s two-way contracts — to the 15th roster spot.

Blake Griffin was signed to add a veteran hand, but he’s not likely to contribute in key moments at any point. One would think, then, that Boston could look to bring on another veteran capable of starting in the same role ‘The Timelord’ would have for continuity’s sake.

During his preview for the 2022-23 Celtics season (subscription required), The Athletic’s John Hollinger joked that Boston could sign former Cs ‘legends’ Enes Freedom and Tristan Thompson to cure that current frontcourt woes:

"“One presumes the Celtics will get this worked out to the point that it’s a bit more tolerable, possibly signing another veteran free agent big guy from his couch (former Celtics legends Tristan Thompson and Enes Freedom remain available) and likely adding another wing player at some point (please?).”"

The Boston Celtics do not need veterans that haven’t worked out for them

There’s no need to revisit either Enes Freedom or Tristan Thompson as potential options to fill the gap until Robert Williams III or even Luke Kornet return. Both bring baggage, though for admittedly different reasons.

Thompson is a Kardashian boyfriend so enough said there. Freedom, FKA Enes Kanter, has spoken up about the NBA’s biggest international partner, China, leading to his unemployable status after last being employed by the Cs during the 2021-22 season.

The Boston Celtics would do better to reward one of their training camp signees with a guaranteed deal before going back to a center option that Brad Stevens himself coached personally and likely wouldn’t want to revisit anyway. John Hollinger missed the mark with these suggestions, unless they were in jest — in which case, they were brilliant.