Three potential backup big man signings options for the Boston Celtics
With news that unrestricted free agent Thomas Bryant plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in a starting role the Boston Celtics are not in a position to offer him, the Celtics will instead need to look elsewhere in order to find a backup big man.
Though a starting spot is not on the table for any future Celtics centers, there is a need to keep oft-injured Robert Williams III and veteran big man Al Horford fresh for the playoffs. With several substantial traded player exceptions (TPEs), it is very possible the team turns to trades in order to fill such a need.
But if they want to sign a player to a minimum deal, there are a few names out there worth kicking the tires on — let’s take a look at the candidates.
‘The emotion just flooded me’ said the Providence product when he learned Boston had a spot for him. https://t.co/h3Q954DxY5
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 6, 2022
LaMarcus Aldridge
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
At 36 years old, LaMarcus Aldridge is not the seven-time All-Star he once was in his prime, but the Celtics just need a player who can stay on the court and eat minutes until the postseason, and anything more is a bonus.
Aldridge has clearly been on the decline over the last two seasons, but still managed to put up 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with the Brooklyn Nets last season, and can shoot the ball away from the basket and pass the ball a bit.
Add in his personal connection to Celtics head coach Ime Udoka dating back to their time on the San Antonio Spurs, and Aldridge might just be Boston’s guy for the job.
Frank Kaminsky
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Considerably younger than Aldridge at age 29, former Phoenix Sun center Frank Kaminsky could make a lot of sense for a lot of the same reasons as Aldridge, but perhaps even with some upside for a deal beyond just one season.
While Aldridge managed solid numbers from deep when he was in the thick of his prime, Frank the Tank has been a respectable shot from deep as recently as the 2020-21 season with similar counting stats across the board.
Kaminsky (and perhaps anyone on this list) may be waiting out the market to see how opportunities might take shape if certain players end up moving, but the Wisconsin product isn’t likely to latch on to a bigger role with a contender, nor Boston likely to sign a better big man to a minimum deal.
DeMarcus Cousins
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
You might be noticing a pattern here with the skill sets each of the prior players has compared to Boogie Cousins; true 7-footers who can shoot and pass a bit but have slipped enough to be in range of such a signing.
Perhaps concerns linger of Cousins’ prickly comportment earlier in his career, but he’s been cast as a model teammate in his last few stops and logged 9.0 points, 5.6 boards, and 1.5 assists per game.
None of these three bigs are likely to play their way into a larger role with the team, but given what’s being asked of them, so long as they know that isn’t what their role would be, would be very solid signings for the job at hand.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire.
Follow us on Facebook and check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
[mm-video type=video id=01g78cypass9nbm255z1 playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g78cypass9nbm255z1/01g78cypass9nbm255z1-c8cf3333544571c3eba9e8dd95857e98.jpg]
[listicle id=105266]
[listicle id=105212]
[listicle id=105169]
1
1
