All-Star big on playoff team pitched as Boston Celtics replacement for Robert Williams III

Jarrett Allen was pitched as a potential Robert Williams III replacement for the Boston Celtics — born out of the necessity to find a more durable frontcourt option amidst several seasons of the Time Lord missing at least 21 games — by NBA Analysis Network’s James Piercey; who claimed that Williams’ spot on the injury list is a “foregone conclusion” in a rather harsh assessment.

“Unfortunately, professional athletes have a tendency to get hurt,” Piercey prefaced before saying, “These young men push their bodies to the absolute limit. Still, some players are more prone to getting injured than others. There are players in the NBA who simply can’t be relied on. It isn’t their fault, but it is something that their teams need to account for.

“For example, take Robert Williams III of the Boston Celtics. His place on the injury list has become a foregone conclusion. With that in mind, the Celtics may have to seek a replacement for him soon. How about Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers?”

Boston Celtics give up depth, draft pick for Jarrett Allen in analyst’s mock trade

In a sense, Allen wouldn’t be replacing Williams so much as usurping him at the center spot. Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s likely starting center during the 2023-24 season, would shift to the 4 with Allen in tow.

But who else would be in the frontcourt? Well, not Al Horford, who was included in Piercey’s proposal. As for the backcourt and the wing, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser would depart in the NBA Analysis Network writer’s proposal along with a future first-round draft pick.

Is it all worth it for Allen, who is a constant double-double threat at his point? Given that he’s on a fixed $20 million per year rate, it very well could be. Losing Horford would easily be the most painful part of the proposal.