Some Random Celtics Thoughts - Part 4- The Center Position

Let me start by saying that Daniel Theis is a fantastic starting 5 for the Celtics, as currently constructed. I'm also, as mentioned previously, a fan of the C's using Grant Williams at the 5 as part of a death lineup, with Tatum, Brown, Smart and Walker/(Athletic4 TBD- post to come) in an offense/defense switcheroo.

This means we're realistically looking at a backup center, who ideally, does something that Theis doesn't as a way to add some variety, for something like 15-20 minutes per game. Let's explore some options here:

• The Andre Drummond/Gordon Hayward swap has been beaten into the ground on the Trade Machine, and it does, sort of make sense. Drummond would likely displace Theis as a starter, and there's soemthing to be said for having a beast down low that can carry the team when shooting slumps come. Against the Heat, the Celtics went into long droughts. Having a guy on the block who can occasionally be the focal point would be great. That said, Drummond isn't a guy who can be part of a lineup to close things out (awful foul shooting), which might actually be OK, since the Celtics can theoretically use him with bench players as a way to add consistency over 48 minutes. I thoroughly believe this is the role the Enes Kanter was always meant to fill, but his liability on defense suh that he never really got to do so (small spurts here and there excepted).
• Miles Turner is another guy who's getting a ton of digital heat as a possible solution for the Celtics, and I think he fits better with what the Celtics are trying to do (5-out offense). He and theis seem to be remarkably similar to me (Turner perhaps a little more lengthy and athletic, Theis a little more fundamentally sound).
• Harry Giles has gogtten a ton of press as a potential option as well, likely for the Celtics MLE. He's friends with Tatum (I don't love the precident of going hunting for one of his buddies), but more importantly, he's got tremendous talent and versatility. Depending on the direction the Celtics go with other targets, Giles could be a short term platoon with Theis, and possibly a longer term starter with the Core 4.
• It's impossible to do a post about the Celtics' center position (and future) without a shout to Robert Williams, who to be clear, belongs in the conversation. If we're looking for a big guy with athleticism, one that brings a dimension that Theis doesn't, and one who can contribute in a bunch of ways, thinking of this guy as one who might take "the leap" isn't the worst thing in the world. Again, there are a lot of variables out there, but Williams should have strong trade value if he's shopped, or could be the Celtics longer term answer at the 5. And that's the rub... is Williams worh more as a trade piece to help balance this roster than he is as a support piece around the Core 4?

A couple quick things here:

The name Enes Kanter isn't listed as an actual option, despite havign the option to come back to the Celtics on a $5 million player option. Short version: I don't think he's coming back. Whether it's by trade (meaning he opts in) or him simply opting out, I don't see a situation where he plays for the Green again, and I took his full page ad in the Boston Globe to be him thinking the same. I'll explore his role in the offseason in another post.

Taco Fall also isn't mentioned here. I've been focusing very heavuly on a top 8 or 9 player group with these posts so far, and will do one that includes a few players who should be focused on development. Fall is in this bucket, with the idea that he could be called upon in the event of injury to handle the backup 5 monutes that aren't used by Grant Williams in a small-ball way.