The Boston Celtics need to discover who will be their primary option to back up Al Horford this season. The big man is aging and needs his minutes reduced to keep him fresh and their star big man, Kristaps Porzingis is sidelined with a leg injury until at least January 2025.
There are three plausible options in Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta to assume the backup center role.
Each player has a good case for earning this role, let's dive deeper.
Luke Kornet
The pros of having Kornet as the backup center option are the experience and the chemistry with him in the lineup. The eighth-year big man brings tons to the table for the role. In 2023-24, he averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and a block per game on 70% shooting, and 91% from the line.
I will again bring up his hidden talent of three-point shooting which includes drilling six treys in a game with the New York Knicks many moons ago.
The biggest argument for me is as far as skillsets go, his game when unleashed may resemble KP the most.
The reasons he may not be chosen are the circumstances of his deal which is just a one-year deal. Brad Stevens and company may be more committed long-term with other players. The big man took a backseat to Tillman in key minutes in the NBA Finals. History shows an inability to move laterally due to a lack of mobility.
This year is a make-or-break year for the seven-foot-two center and the Cs will need more than good vibes as a reason to keep him.