Brad Stevens, the mastermind behind the Boston Celtics' front office, is doubling down on the need for size and rim pressure as the team gears up for a new NBA season. After the first round of the NBA Draft, Stevens reiterated his commitment to bolstering the Celtics' frontcourt, signaling a significant move could be on the horizon for a seasoned center.
The Celtics took a step in that direction by drafting Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th pick. Cenac, a promising talent out of Houston, is a project player whose potential will require time to fully blossom.
But Stevens is clearly not stopping there. The Celtics are on the hunt for a veteran big man to pair with Neemias Queta, creating a formidable duo in the paint.
One intriguing possibility, Isaiah Hartenstein, recently slipped through Boston's fingers. Hartenstein inked a three-year, $75 million deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, complete with a 15% trade kicker and a mutual option to renegotiate down the line. This move takes a key target off the board for Boston.
Boston's options took another hit with Isaiah Stewart heading to the Memphis Grizzlies, quashing any trade hopes with the Detroit Pistons. Now, the Celtics face a new challenge in their pursuit of Mitchell Robinson, as the Brooklyn Nets have entered the fray.
According to insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Nets are eyeing Robinson with serious intent. Armed with over $40 million in cap space, the Nets are poised to make a compelling offer, especially if they finalize the trade sending Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls and Julius Randle to Brooklyn. For Robinson, the allure of a hefty contract and the convenience of staying in New York could be hard to resist.
Meanwhile, Knicks owner James Dolan has made it clear that he won't breach the NBA's second apron, a financial threshold that comes with hefty penalties. Dolan's stance could make it difficult for the Knicks to retain Robinson, potentially opening the door for other suitors.
The market for Robinson is heating up, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets all reportedly interested. Boston, however, isn't out of the race. They could leverage their $27.7 million traded player exception to land Robinson, provided they can entice the Knicks with a suitable offer, like second-round draft picks.
Robinson, fresh off a season averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds (with a notable 4.2 on the offensive glass), and 1.2 blocks, would bring much-needed size and athleticism to the Celtics. His defensive prowess and physicality would be a welcome addition to Brad Stevens' squad.
And while Robinson remains a top target, there's also the tantalizing possibility of an All-NBA center making his way to Boston this offseason. The Celtics' pursuit of a dominant presence in the paint is far from over, and the next few weeks could be pivotal in shaping their roster for a championship run.
In Other News...
Celtics May Finally Have A Real Answer To Their Frontcourt Problem
Bostons frontcourt needs have been obvious enough that any big man who can stretch the floor and handle minutes at both the four and the five is going to draw attention. Sandro Mamukelashvili fits that mold, and after a season in which he averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, he is shaping up as one of the more interesting names Boston could monitor if the market opens up the way many around the league expect.
The Celtics are already weighing a range of options to bolster that part of the roster, and Mamukelashvili would give them a different kind of answer than the traditional rim protector search that usually comes with these conversations. He is also the sort of player who could attract multiple bidders, especially if his next deal lands in the range of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is why Bostons interest may end up being only one piece of a much busier frontcourt picture. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics May Have A Real Opening To Fix Their Biggest Need
The Celtics have spent plenty of time looking for a cleaner answer at power forward, and a new report suggests that answer could come from an unexpected place. NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that Denver may be open to a notable roster reset, and that has put a pair of Nuggets forwards on Bostons radar as the front office continues to scan for help on the wing and in the frontcourt.
Cam Johnson stands out because of his expiring deal and the value he has shown with career-best production from the field and beyond the arc. Aaron Gordon brings a different kind of appeal, since he could give Boston the sturdier power forward option it has lacked and allow Jayson Tatum to slide back into small forward, which is why multiple teams have shown interest in both players. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Fans Wont Love The Latest Jaylen Brown Trade Twist
The Celtics search for frontcourt help has taken another familiar turn, and it still traces back to the broader questions surrounding Jaylen Brown. Boston has shown interest in Naz Reid as a possible piece to strengthen the front line, which fits with the teams push to find more size and flexibility around its core. Reid had even come up in trade conversations before his move to Charlotte, a reminder that the Celtics have been casting a wide net as they look for ways to rework the roster.
For now, though, the path appears unclear. Charlotte seems more inclined to hold onto Reid than move him, which leaves Boston waiting on a target that does not look easily available. So the Celtics keep searching for alternative ways to improve their frontcourt, while the larger Brown trade landscape remains one of the biggest variables shaping what comes next. [Read more 🡒]