Latest intel is a nightmare for the Celtics' pursuit of Mitchell Robinson

When Brad Stevens met with the media after the first round of this week's NBA Draft, he doubled down on the importance of the Boston Celtics adding size. Coupled with his end-of-season press conference, where he highlighted the need to put more pressure on the rim, one should expect the team to attempt to make a significant addition at center.

Boston utilized the No. 27 pick to select Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. on Tuesday. However, that's a raw prospect whose development will require patience. The Celtics are now on the search for a veteran presence who can form a potent 1-2 punch with Neemias Queta.

One tantalizing option, Isaiah Hartenstein, officially came off the board late Friday night. He signed a new three-year, $75 million contract to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

A trade with the Detroit Pistons for Isaiah Stewart won't happen either. He's on his way to the Memphis Grizzlies. Now, a significant threat has emerged to the hopes of Boston acquiring Mitchell Robinson.

The Nets are now in the mix for Mitchell Robinson

According to a recent report from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Brooklyn Nets have a "legitimate interest" in trying to pry the seven-foot center from the New York Knicks.

The reigning NBA champions' cross-town rivals have more than $40 million in cap space to play with if they make free-agent signings before finalizing the trade that will send Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, with Julius Randle going to Brooklyn.

Not only are the Nets in a position to make the highest offer to Robinson, but he wouldn't even have to move. Going there from the Knicks is a significant drop-off in local fan fare. However, between the contract and the convenience, perhaps, the appeal is strong enough for him to do so.

If James Dolan stands firm on his message that New York will not go above the second apron, then it would come as a shock if the eight-year veteran were donning orange and blue next season.

"There's certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron," conveyed Dolan on The Carton Show on WFAN. "I'll write as big of a check as possible, but I can't write a check that goes into the second apron."

The market for Mitchell Robinson

Even if the 28-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, relocates, the bidding might get too steep for the Celtics to sign him. His market is expected to include the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets. Now, the Nets have entered the mix.

That doesn't mean Boston's out of the equation, though. The NBA's original monarchy could utilize its $27.7 million traded player exception [TPE] to acquire Robinson.

That would require an asset, such as second-round draft capital, going to New York. And the Knicks would have to be willing to send him to Boston. Still, if the alternative is losing him for nothing, perhaps he'll be in Celtic green on opening night.

Robinson is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, including 4.2 on offense, and 1.2 blocks. He brings size, physicality, and athleticism to the center position. Brad Stevens' club would benefit from all of that.

There's also a chance that, instead of Robinson, an All-NBA center joins the Celtics this offseason.

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