What's left this off season?

Devizier

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Aside from Bryant, I could hope for Trez falling to the Celtics. In the end I’d be okay with a fungible guy like old friend Tristan Thompson. Don’t really want the third big to be an injury prone guy.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Aside from Bryant, I could hope for Trez falling to the Celtics. In the end I’d be okay with a fungible guy like old friend Tristan Thompson. Don’t really want the third big to be an injury prone guy.
No Tristan, please. In terms of talent, fine, but I'd expect him to be a malcontent.
 

Fishy1

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No Tristan, please. In terms of talent, fine, but I'd expect him to be a malcontent.
I wouldn't mind Tristan as a third big, I just hated him as a starter.

Regardless, I think Brad does what he did with Schroder last offseason: see who's left.
 

pjheff

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I don't see why we're calling Gallo a big. Yeah, he's tall, but he doesn't do big things. If he guards Embiid or Jokic once this season, it's one time too many. Definitely Embiid.
The member of last year’s starting five whose role was most similar would be Al Horford, and he’s considered a big.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I wouldn't mind Tristan as a third big, I just hated him as a starter.

Regardless, I think Brad does what he did with Schroder last offseason: see who's left.
This ignores my argument completely, which wasn’t about what Thompson can do on the floor.
 

Justthetippett

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A vet third big should be very achievable. Does Kabengele have any chance at that role if he shows out in Vegas and camp?
 

JM3

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The member of last year’s starting five whose role was most similar would be Al Horford, and he’s considered a big.
Horford can actually play post defense & blocks about 6x as many shots as Gallo.

There's no real analogue in the Celtics starting lineup last year because the Celtics didn't start a 4.

In terms of minutes breakdown if everyone healthy, no one is resting & no new additions I see something like this in the regular season...

5 - TL 28, Horford 20
4 - Horford 8, Gallo 16, Grant 15, Tatum 9
3 - Tatum 25, Brown 14, Brogdon 9
2 - Brown 20, Brogdon 19, White 9
1 - Smart 32, White 11, PP 5

Tatum 34
Brown 34
Smart 32
TL 28
Horford 28
Brogdon 28
White 20
Gallo 16
Grant 15
PP 5

The position stuff is a bit nebulous but I think this makes sense...
 

lovegtm

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Horford can actually play post defense & blocks about 6x as many shots as Gallo.

There's no real analogue in the Celtics starting lineup last year because the Celtics didn't start a 4.

In terms of minutes breakdown if everyone healthy, no one is resting & no new additions I see something like this in the regular season...

5 - TL 28, Horford 20
4 - Horford 8, Gallo 16, Grant 15, Tatum 9
3 - Tatum 25, Brown 14, Brogdon 9
2 - Brown 20, Brogdon 19, White 9
1 - Smart 32, White 11, PP 5

Tatum 34
Brown 34
Smart 32
TL 28
Horford 28
Brogdon 28
White 20
Gallo 16
Grant 15
PP 5

The position stuff is a bit nebulous but I think this makes sense...
Position breakdown makes sense when you're doing it in terms of there being 5 players on the floor at once.

Nice breakdown; this is about how I'd expect it to go if the Celtics have abandoned 2 bigs, which I think may be the case based on roster construction. If they stay with it, I bet Horford or TL gets subbed very early most of the time.
 

Fishy1

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This ignores my argument completely, which wasn’t about what Thompson can do on the floor.
I'm not sure you really made an argument, per se. You just said you were worried he'd be a "malcontent." What exactly are you worried about? That he's going to break our glass jaw?

The guy is in the twilight of his career and accepted minor roles last season. Tristan on 10-15 minutes a game, with his rebounding and effort, will do just fine.

I'd like someone bigger, but if we go into this season with Horford-TL and basically any fungible big who can play some defense, I'll be happy.
 

JM3

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Position breakdown makes sense when you're doing it in terms of there being 5 players on the floor at once.

Nice breakdown; this is about how I'd expect it to go if the Celtics have abandoned 2 bigs, which I think may be the case based on roster construction. If they stay with it, I bet Horford or TL gets subbed very early most of the time.
If they don't get a competent 3rd center, they don't have a choice but to abandon 2 bigs for more than a small portion of the game (the 8 Horford minutes at PF which would probably include the first 4 or so).

If they get a Bryant or similar that probably eats most into Gallo/Grant minutes, but the main benefit is on rest/injury days for either TL/Al & the 3rd center could eat most/all of the 28 minutes assigned to the other guy there.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I'm not sure you really made an argument, per se. You just said you were worried he'd be a "malcontent." What exactly are you worried about? That he's going to break our glass jaw?

The guy is in the twilight of his career and accepted minor roles last season. Tristan on 10-15 minutes a game, with his rebounding and effort, will do just fine.

I'd like someone bigger, but if we go into this season with Horford-TL and basically any fungible big who can play some defense, I'll be happy.
He wasn't a great fit here in his first go round and I wouldn't want him playing 10-15 minutes a game.
 

Fishy1

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He wasn't a great fit here in his first go round and I wouldn't want him playing 10-15 minutes a game.
I agree with the first half of your sentence, but my sense is that's because he was miscast as a starting center next to Daniel Theis. We had two bigs out there for the first half of the season who couldn't credibly guard the perimeter and offered very little on offense.

I don't like TT's game much, and don't love the fit, but I would be fine with him for a third big. The pickings are pretty slim.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Do people still believe those bogus TT reports the first time around?

Someone decided to call him a cancer and all his teammates defended him. It was bunk.
 

benhogan

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I agree with the first half of your sentence, but my sense is that's because he was miscast as a starting center next to Daniel Theis. We had two bigs out there for the first half of the season who couldn't credibly guard the perimeter and offered very little on offense.

I don't like TT's game much, and don't love the fit, but I would be fine with him for a third big. The pickings are pretty slim.
Brad will know firsthand if he is poison/malcontent. PBS won't disturb team chemistry to roster TT.

The C's could use an edgy bully to set picks on guys like Dray/PJ/Portis

If rostered TT can be a placeholder until the buyout market develops.
 

Fishy1

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He’s poison.
What? Can we provide like, legible proof, before making broad declarations about people?

It's not like he'll destroy the team if he starts acting like an idiot or plays poorly... we'll just release him or bench him.
 

moondog80

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I don’t know if TT is poison or not, but Brad Stevens does, so if he decides to sign him, I will trust his judgement. You might take a chance on a turd with an all star, but not the 3rd string center.
 

JM3

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Hood at 6’8” would be my first choice out of those three.
I'd take Bazemore. He actually competes on defense & has a much better chance of defending wings than Hood, regardless of height.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Serge Ibaka is largely cooked as a primary guy , but he’s a nice fit as third big and seems likely to take a ring-chaser spot with someone
 

Euclis20

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Serge Ibaka is largely cooked as a primary guy , but he’s a nice fit as third big and seems likely to take a ring-chaser spot with someone
Is he? I remember being surprised seeing him on the court seeing him on the court in the Bucks series (I had completely forgotten about him), he played a total of 3 minutes in that 7 game series. Granted Ibaka was functionally the 4th center for the Bucks (and he'd be our 3rd), but still. Maybe he's better than Kornet (honestly I don't see that as a given at this point), but I'd hope for someone better as a 3rd center and 3rd big off the bench.
 

PedroKsBambino

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To me the role is largely about size and minutes vs true bigs…which he can do. I don’t think he can play the role he used to—-shot blocker/versatile 4-5.
 

benhogan

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Serge Ibaka is largely cooked as a primary guy , but he’s a nice fit as third big and seems likely to take a ring-chaser spot with someone
Bryant is target #1

#2 option: I'd rather have them add Hassan Whiteside on the vet min over Ibaka.
Whiteside played well on an organized Utah team as a backup to Gobert

Hassan has been decent defensively, outside the Kings season, which can be somewhat excused

They could live with Whiteside as the 3rd BIG until the buyout market develops
 

Eddie Jurak

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Bryant is target #1

#2 option: I'd rather have them add Hassan Whiteside on the vet min over Ibaka.
Whiteside played well on an organized Utah team as a backup to Gobert

Hassan has been decent defensively, outside the Kings season, which can be somewhat excused

They could live with Whiteside as the 3rd BIG until the buyout market develops
I think the pitch to Bryant is basically, "Al Horford is 36, but we have a good thing going here that will last beyond him."

No thanks on Whiteside.
 

benhogan

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I think the pitch to Bryant is basically, "Al Horford is 36, but we have a good thing going here that will last beyond him."

No thanks on Whiteside.
Yep, that's the pitch to Bryant
Probably the most likely outcome (if Bryant goes elsewhere) is to see the collateral damage on a pending Durant, Kyrie, Ayton deals and see what shakes out (or help out with salaries).

Barring that, Hassan would be a shot-blocking/placeholder playing ahead of Luke Kornet. At the moment, you have your choice of Trez Harrell(felony drug charges pending), Ibaka, Howard, Dieng, Moses Brown, Fernando or Whiteside

They could also see if a BIG pops in Summer League

Plenty of options (other than Whiteside) for the Celtics to consider prior to the buyout market
 

Cesar Crespo

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Not a Whiteside believer
No one is but the list of what is available is less than inspiring. It's Bryant or it's a retread in his mid 30s who has already been on 8 NBA teams.

There is a good chance whoever they sign as the 3rd big won't finish the year on the C"s. Waiting until buyouts is always risky but the C's should have some pull and there will also be teams looking to move off of salary. We could trade for Daniel Theis again.
 

JM3

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I would sign up for the Hassan experience...

His per 36 last year was 17 points, 15 rebounds & 3.2 blocks on 65% shooting.

& he had the best +/- on the Jazz last year (+10.1 per 100).

If he's willing to take the vet minimum that would be a really really nice addition.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Hassan has always looked exploitable to me as a guy who chases blocks to the detriment of defensive shape. But reports from Utah in a similar backup role seem to be decent although the Celtics D asks a lot of its bigs and I don’t know that he’s the right fit. Of course for vet min there are always going to be question marks.
 

Cellar-Door

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Yeah Whiteside on the minimum wouldn't be bad at all, he's not bad for a bench big, he goes to the rim and finishes he's acceptable on D
 

benhogan

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Yeah Whiteside on the minimum wouldn't be bad at all, he's not bad for a bench big, he goes to the rim and finishes he's acceptable on D
His stats are pretty good (outside of SAC), w/ Boston he's a body to put on Embiid for 4 mins.
At worst he's a placeholder, at best he surprises to the upside. Set screens/roll on offense and play other classic/back-up BIGs for ~8mins

28 players cycled through the Celtics roster last season (that was relatively healthy). BOS wouldn't be married to the 3rd string center much like they weren't married to Enes Kanter last year
 

128

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Given Horford's age/need for rest and Time Lord's fragility, Boston's No. 3 center is likely to play more than most, if not all, of his counterparts in the NBA. Plus, he would stand a good shot at earning a ring. You'd like to think somebody decent would find that combination appealing.
 

BigSoxFan

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Given Horford's age/need for rest and Time Lord's fragility, Boston's No. 3 center is likely to play more than most, if not all, of his counterparts in the NBA. Plus, he would stand a good shot at earning a ring. You'd like to think somebody decent would find that combination appealing.
And there is long-term role upside with TL’s injury history and Horford’s age.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Given Horford's age/need for rest and Time Lord's fragility, Boston's No. 3 center is likely to play more than most, if not all, of his counterparts in the NBA. Plus, he would stand a good shot at earning a ring. You'd like to think somebody decent would find that combination appealing.
If they were that decent, they could probably get more minutes as a back up. I'm hoping it's Bryant but if he's smart, he shouldn't sign here. He should go for guaranteed minutes.

FWIW, Theis and Kanter played a combined 805 minutes for the C's last year in the regular season.
 

Cesar Crespo

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And there is long-term role upside with TL’s injury history and Horford’s age.
Right. But how many of the options left actually care about long term upside? Most of the options aren't much younger than Horford and are looking for a pay check and/or a ring to finish out their careers.
 

BigSoxFan

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Right. But how many of the options left actually care about long term upside? Most of the options aren't much younger than Horford and are looking for a pay check and/or a ring to finish out their careers.
Mostly just Howard. But it’s good that the Celtics basically check off all the boxes.
 

Cellar-Door

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Given Horford's age/need for rest and Time Lord's fragility, Boston's No. 3 center is likely to play more than most, if not all, of his counterparts in the NBA. Plus, he would stand a good shot at earning a ring. You'd like to think somebody decent would find that combination appealing.
I don't actually agree with this. Yes TL has some injury issues, yes Horford is old... BUT you have to be assuming that Ime would play the 3rd big a lot instead of just going to more 1 big or semi-big. Given the team's depth at 1-4 (Tatum, Brown, Smart, Brogdon, White, Williams, Gallo) you're now talkign about fighting for 10th man when the team is healthy, and having to convince Ime it's better to have you out there than Gallo or Williams, when 1 big is out. The Celtics are a very deep team. Look at someone like the Lakers. They MIGHT go with AD at C and Bron at PF... if they do the 3rd big is competing with Damian Jones for backup minutes at both positions... where one guys is old and has had injuries recently, and the other is as oft injured at TL. AND AD doesn't really like playing C, so there is a chance that everyone slides down (especially is LeBron is out) and you get to start at C. Last year the "3rd big" role for the Lakers started 46 times... Freedom and Theis combined for 7.

The Celtics' selling point is.. some minutes and a real chance at a ring.
 

moondog80

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Whiteisde's numbers kick ass everywhere he goes yet nobody wants him. There's a reason. I'd trust Kyrie to behave more than I'd trust him to grasp and buy into the C's defensive scheme.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Barring that, Hassan would be a shot-blocking/placeholder playing ahead of Luke Kornet. At the moment, you have your choice of Trez Harrell(felony drug charges pending), Ibaka, Howard, Dieng, Moses Brown, Fernando or Whiteside
Thought DeMarcus Cousins was available. If so, he'd be an interesting sign.
 

TripleOT

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Why not give Dwight Howard a go if Bryant goes elsewhere. He still can hit the glass and score in the paint, and would be a big body who could foul Embiid. I’d prefer him over Whiteside and Trez with his three pounds of cannabis felony charge hanging over his head.