3 holes the Boston Celtics must fill after adding Kristaps Porzingis
By Ben Grunert
The Boston Celtics must replace frontcourt departures with depth signings
With Boston’s free agent signing of Oshae Brissett, the Celtics added a good depth piece at the power forward position. However, the team is lacking a center that can step in and provide quality minutes as a backup when members of the Porzingis/Horford/Timelord frontcourt trio inevitably miss games.
After shipping off Gallinari and Muscala to Washington, the Celtics could use one of the veteran big men left on the free-agent market. Boston could probably sign players like Bismack Biyombo and Montrezl Harrell to veteran minimum deals, but a higher-end option like Christian Wood would at least cost the mid-level exception.
Realistically, Boston would rather keep Grant Williams than let him go to open up the MLE for an expensive backup. The Celtics simply need to sign a cheap bench big or make a trade for one. An insurance policy for Boston’s primary frontcourt rotation could go a long way during the regular season.
Outside of Biyombo and Harrell, Omer Yurtseven could be a player worth taking a flier on. At just 25 years old, the seven-footer showed some glimpses of potential during his two seasons with Miami. Journeyman Dewayne Dedmon could also provide some stability in Boston’s big-man rotation.
The Celtics could also make a trade using some of the second-round picks Stevens accrued during the draft. Glass-crashing backups like Andre Drummond and Nick Richards would likely go for matching contracts and future second-round picks, deals worth making for a contender like Boston.