Shortly after the Boston Celtics selected Chris Cenac Jr. 27th overall on night one of the NBA Draft, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens laid out the front office’s goals for the offseason.
“I think we need to look at size,” Stevens told reporters at the Auerbach Center on Tuesday, via CLNS Media. “And then I do think that we will look to add -- we have pick No. 40, right -- whether that is someone that we ultimately roster or [sign to a] two-way, or whatever, we’ll figure all that stuff out. But, I do think that [we need] size, and I think we’d like to add one more person with speed on the perimeter.”
Boston has a rare chunk of cash to work with once free agency opens next week. They’ll have the full $15 million mid-level exception and the $5.5 million biannual exception at their disposal.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer shared two likely targets for the Celtics, during his Thursday live stream on Bleacher Report -- New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and former Celtics now Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III.
“The Celtics have definitely sent out signals that they want to be big players in the big man market,” Fischer said. “I’ve heard Boston linked to Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III”
The Celtics could use frontcourt help
Both players make a ton of sense for a Celtics team that lacked depth in their frontcourt this season. Neemias Queta slid into the starting role comfortably, while Luka Garza proved to be a reliable bench option. Boston just never had a third guy that they could turn to.
That issue became especially prominent in their playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers when Queta consistently found himself in foul trouble.
One more reliable player could’ve done them some good.
Mitchell Robinson is a cheat code
Robinson has been a difference maker in New York for a while now. Celtics fans should be well aware of how impactful he can be, as it feels like every time he plays Boston Robinson breaks the game. His presence on the offensive glass is a cheat code.
He’s ranked in the top four percentile for team miss offensive rebounding percentage in each season since 2022. He’s been in the top five percentile for self offensive rebounding percentage since 2020.
Not to mention that Robinson is a tremendous rim protector. He averaged three blocks per 100 possessions this season.
Celtics fans already know about Robert Williams III
Williams III is a man who needs no reintroduction. Much like Robinson, he’s a game-breaking player. His athleticism is next-level stuff, allowing Rob to erase attempts at the rim and throw down alley-oop slams on the roll.
In 17 minutes per game off the bench for the Blazers, he rejected 1.5 shots per game. Williams III put together his best overall season since being traded away from the Cs in 2023. He averaged 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and an assist to go along with those blocks, while shooting 70.8% from the field and 39.1% from long range.
Of course, you can’t talk about either player without mentioning their respective injury histories. Williams III played a combined 26 games in his first two seasons in Portland, while Robinson appeared in 48 during the same two-year span.
This past season, though, both guys were durable. Williams III played 59 games and Robinson played in 60.
With both Queta and Garza being legitimately impactful players in Boston already, the Cs could look to use either Williams III or Robinson lightly and give them ample rest to protect their longevity.
Either player would be a great signing, there’s no doubt about that.
Add us as a preferred source on Google