From almost the very moment that Kemba Walker-to-Boston started to look like a reality, the big question surrounding the Celtics shifted to the frontcourt. How would they fill the monster void created by the departure of not only Al Horford, but Aron Baynes and Marcus Morris as well?
The answer, at least unless a high-quality big man falls into their laps at a bargain-basement price, might be patience. The Celtics currently project to have nothing more than the $4.8 million room midlevel exception to offer a big man, though the promise of potential playing time and the ability to contend could help convince someone to play at a discounted rate.
The Celtics will spend the week leading up to the end of the moratorium not only examining the big men who remain available on the market but also potential ways to expand their sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets with the possibility it could give them a more valuable asset to chase big-man talent. Be warned: It feels unlikely without giving up valuable future draft assets.
Boston will eventually sign Terry Rozier to a three-year, $58 million contract and ship him to Charlotte as part of a deal that will bring back Kemba Walker (and a possible draft asset as a thank you for facilitating the Rozier signing). The sign-and-trade, as currently constituted, doesn’t prevent Boston from having to use cap space to absorb Walker, which means they will have to renounce their rights to Morris and will not get the larger midlevel exception ($9.3 million) to hunt big-man talent.
There is a slim possibility that Boston could engage either the Nets or Sixers on potential sign-and-trade options for Kyrie Irving and Horford in order to stay above the cap and generate that larger midlevel (they could also maintain their rights to Marcus Morris in that instance). But the cost — likely one of Boston’s future first-round picks — might not be worth the benefit.
Which means patience might be the best path, particularly as some of the more intriguing bigs — Robin Lopez, Thomas Bryant, Dewayne Dedmon — cash in and find new homes.
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There are still no shortage of recognizable names still on the market but it’s hard to see anyone who's going to race to play for $4.8 million. Boston’s has no obvious means to generate additional cap space with all the non-Kemba funds currently tied to Daniel Theis and his $1.8 million qualifying offer.
Can the Celtics convince a Kevon Looney to come for the promise of playing time? Would Boston want to roll the dice with someone like Enes Kanter? Could you pluck a JaMychal Green or Richaun Holmes when opportunities start to dry up? Could locals like Nerlens Noel or Noah Vonleh thrive here?
There is a chance the Celtics could just punt on all of them for the time being. That’s a daunting thought when you consider a frontcourt where Theis, with two years of NBA experience, is your “veteran.”
But early on, Boston could throw the keys to the young guys and see what’s possible. Can 2018 first-round draft pick Robert Williams develop into a starter-caliber big? Could the Celtics play Semi Ojeleye as an undersized 5 and see if he can hold his own? Is Grant Williams and his NBA-ready strength able to carve out minutes?
It’s time for the C's to see what they’ve got before leaning heavy on a stopgap. If this team shows it’s in the mix to compete and a more proven big man can put them over the top, maybe then they hone in on a target. Maybe then they’re more willing to spend draft assets to land help. If the East goes through teams like Milwaukee (Giannis, Brook Lopez) and Philly (Joel Embiid, Horford) then Boston might have no choice but to eventually examine options to beef up the frontcourt.
Summer league could answer some of those questions about the youth. Or maybe it forces the Celtics to do something sooner if they’re worried about entering the season without a more surefire option.
One thing is certain: No matter what moves the Celtics ultimately make, they need their young players to make great strides to offset the departures of this offseason. It’s time to see what these young players can do, and recalibrate from there.
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