It’s not exactly a secret that the Celtics want to improve their depth in the frontcourt this offseason. A year ago, they lost Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet within a matter of days, and while Neemias Queta had a breakout season and Luka Garza held his own, the center position simply wasn’t good enough in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, there are only a handful of elite big men in the NBA, and they are basically all making max money, or they aren’t available. The realistic options are limited, but there is some hope that Boston can use some of their $15 million mid-level exception to at least add some talent and versatility alongside Queta, Garza, and Amari Williams.
And according to Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, the Celtics are looking to bolster the position with a couple of proven veterans with Finals experience, 3-time champion and longtime Warrior, Kevon Looney, and old friend Robert Williams III.
“It's believed that Looney is also on Boston's list of center targets, which is likewise known to feature former Celtics big man Robert Williams III.”
Both options come with some serious red flags, but again, the market is very limited, and there’s a reason these guys are available.
Kevon Looney is not moving the needle for Celtics
It feels like Looney has been in the league forever, but he’s just 30 years old. He played his first 10 seasons with the Warriors, proving to be a solid, steady, unspectacular center who can rebound, finish, and protect the rim a bit. He’s nothing special, but would be a solid veteran depth piece for Boston.
But that’s if he still has anything left in the tank. He was falling out of the Warriors' rotation the last few years and sought a bigger role in New Orleans. But he played just 21 games last season for less than 15 minutes a game.
If the Celtics think they can squeeze more juice out of him, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, but on the surface, other than veteran leadership, this isn’t helping solve the center issues.
Robert Williams III should be a top free agent target for Boston
The Timelord is a much more intriguing option. After two brutal, injury-ravaged seasons to start his Portland career, playing in just 26 games combined, Rob bounced back with one of his best seasons last year, playing in 59 games, offering his usual elite defense, rim protection, and rebounding, with a dash of offense.
He also held up for the first-round playoff loss to the Spurs, proving to be arguably the Blazers’ most reliable center option in a series against Victor Wembanyama. The injury concerns will always exist, but when he’s on the court, he’s still a game-changer.
If he’s open to returning to Boston and playing a complementary role, he’d be a great addition, especially on a cheap(ish) contract. That seems realistic, and the Celtics should know how to manage his body and minutes as well as anyone. He’d slot into the rotation perfectly and should give Boston 48 minutes a night of elite defense from the position with Queta.
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