The Celtics I knew what they had in Daniel Theis.
The compliment may be directed at a veteran giant, and as unevenly as his return to Boston proceeded through him, lukewarm. NBA Finals Benching — Theis has had so many relationships with the Celtics core members over almost five seasons that his presence provided some comfort behind Al Horford and Robert Williams III. It’s not surprising if he returns to the team again before the end of his career.
However, Theis’ $ 8.7 million salary became a necessary factor in Malcolm Brogdon’s trading, and the Celtics didn’t have a backup center that recorded significant NBA service hours in the green. This is a potentially obvious hole in a roster now full of Strwart, and you’ll be disappointed to see the cost to a team with a legitimate championship aspiration.
There are several options to fill it, but Boston moved slowly to fill the last three roster spots in search of its reliability and comfort. Some of them are already on the roster. The expiration of the $ 17.1 million trade exception has already closed one way to deal with it.
Horford and Williams III staggered their minutes in 5 last season and spelled each other’s minutes. The presence of Tace became increasingly important due to Horford’s desire to reduce his workload and concerns about Williams III’s eternal injury. Horford’s burden when Williams III tore the Meniscus, followed by a long postseason run, made Horford’s rest even greater this season. At present, if Williams III is injured, it may be difficult to minimize him. Only Luke Cornet plans to spot-star in the center only, as Danilo Gallinari and Grant Williams are focused on providing Horford insurance in 4.
Both Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka confirmed Celtics’ intention to put another big guy in the fold during the Summer League. It’s unclear if Mfiondu Kabengele will count after him Signed a two-way contract last week..
Stevens and Udoka praised Cornett’s abilities and previewed Gallinari’s smaller lineup and larger wings as possible to spend time inside. Grant plays a central role as a rookie and always keeps the big. As a result, the Celtics can creatively fill the loss of taste. It seems more and more likely that they are the route to take over free agents, but there are still options in the market.
“We will continue to consider what will be added to the team,” Stevens said. CelticsBlog Early this month. “In the end, I started most of last year with Al and Rob, but I often played one of them. As I said, sitting next to me (Brogdon and Gallinari) Due to its size, I think it’s better to set it to play “smaller” than before. There are many different options out there. We value Luke very much. I appreciate Luke very much. I thought he had a great G League season. He soon thought he could step in and become a passerby, ball handler, mover, and screener. And rollers as needed … we’re really ready to help us and help us win, not only as Luke as a depth, but obviously on the roster believe. I think he is at the stage where he can do it. We are still looking, and add at least one more body to what we call five positions today. ”
Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins, Montrezl Harrell, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tristan Thompson Remaining center headings It is possible to sign. This is a non-exciting, significantly declining aging group that didn’t significantly support the team a year ago.
Their availability also underscores the declining demand for depth centers. Some teams moved to smaller balls later in the game, taking advantage of the increasingly versatile talent pool in the league to play multiple positions. Think about the Cavaliers. Start with three players in center size and wonder if you found a cheap backup at Robin Lopez or if the Warriors used Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.
However, the timing made Boston particularly thin as they traded tastes after a wave of signatures by free agents like Lopez and Andre Drummond. Traditional Backup 5s like Theis were able to play four better than the players above, resulting in a narrow set of skills that became less specific as the playoffs progressed. Drummond was removed from Round 1 in the last postseason.
The Celtics need inning eaters, except in emergencies. Those who can maintain Boston’s defensive height alongside increasingly interchangeable rotations and provide 10 to 15 minutes in the middle of a regular season match.
That requires more minutes and stability from Williams III, and generally consistent availability from Horford. It’s gambling, but as long as one center is available, one is minimized by Boston’s ability to play two or three guards with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. If Williams III can log for more than 35 minutes, it’s part of Udoka’s focus on internal growth, alongside guards and forwards, while Horford sits, leaving a small difference inside. increase.
Cornett doesn’t inspire great confidence when compared to Williams III, Horford, or the average novice tycoon. He only needs to compare to Theis, who wasn’t at his best, with an average of 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game, with a 59.8% shot (10/28 3PT) last season in Boston. Cornett posted 4.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 1.4 BPG with a 47.3% shot at the 2021 Celtic Stint, with an average spot appearance of 14 minutes. He has played 10 times in Maine this year, shooting 50.6% from the field and 3 to 31.4%, scoring 11.9 PPG, 7.6 PPG, 3.9 APG and 2.6 BPG. If Boston falls below one center in the short term, its production should be converted to good backup production.
“We talked about adding another big one,” Udoka said in the Summer League. “On the night Al is a little older, he may take a break or Rob may have another possible starter. It’s clear that Luke Cornet is also growing throughout the season. You Some of the young men I saw. ”
Even Kornet and Kabengele can occasionally play a backup role, making them completely unplayable in the postseason. Theis received DNP-CDs on a regular basis. The Celtics’ unconventional starting lineup suggests that Udoka is likely to remain the same, especially if Boston has built one of the more exchangeable rosters in the league. The role of the net can be essential. As Stevens pointed out, it’s part of the evolution of the league beyond position.
Size is important if label is important center But that’s not the case. Grant can switch to the center and Gallinari may be able to play drop defense internally at 6’10 “, but neither offers a wealth of experience. maximum A man on the floor, guarding the interior, rebounding fast, or keeping the opposite big away from the glass. The attribute you are still looking for from the center.
Basketball reference Gallinari admitted that he played 36% of 2021 in the center and 24% in 2022. This is because he had never played in the center before. Grant played 6% as a rookie, 7% in 2021 and 3% this year, moving to a nearly exclusive four-minute under Udoka. Gallinari’s internal role is consistent with Atlanta’s porous defense, averaging 4.4 RPGs and 0.2 BPGs over the last two years, while in 2022 48.8% of the shots were possible. Roma than Interior Bruiser.
“My position is Backup 4, but I’ll do whatever I need to do.” Gallinari said CLNS media A list podcast.. “I can play in different positions. I haven’t played five times, but if I need to, I play. No problem. What do I need to do?”
Versatile rim protection was also the key to the system that made Boston the top defense of the league. Horford thrived on the drop scheme, but Williams III proved to be a revolutionary borderline. Udoka’s instinct is devoted to playing with size, and Cornett defensively mimics some of those attributes, but to influence the attack, hit a shot with a pick and pop and crash the glass. is needed.
In the event of an emergency where the Celtics lose multiple big names, they may need to take a flyer with a free agent or take advantage of a $ 5.9 million or $ 6.9 million trade exception that expires before or after the transaction deadline. Maybe. Khem Birch, Jaxson Hayes, PJ Washington, JaVale McGee, Goga Bitadze and Boban Marjanovic are some names that fit into smaller TPEs and may be available later if the situation fails properly. Is found.
It’s probably a Celtics bet — don’t force the addition of rosters that you don’t need right now. Rely on the depth and variety of your roster to keep track of those minutes and buy them later at a lower cost. You can add up to 6 players until the end of the training camp. Kornet’s new deal is guaranteed for $ 300,000 on August 15th, with a larger guarantee starting at Opening Night.
