Celtics news & rumors: Daniel Theis a ‘savvy’ addition; No on Robin Lopez

While the NBA Trade Deadline was underwhelming for some Boston Celtics fans, it was a quite productive one for Brad Stevens, who feels he made his team better.

Along with the acquisition of Derrick White, who already made his mark on the team with an impressive debut against the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics are bringing back big man Daniel Theis who they acquired in the deal for Dennis Schröder.

Boston Celtics add big man rotation depth with addition of Daniel Theis

Again, not the type of trade deadline splash Celtics nation was hoping for but bringing Theis back in the mix is valuable because of his knowledge of the system and the depth he adds to that big man rotation.  In a last second move, Stevens talked about the deal and Theis’ role this time around.

"“The Theis move came about really late,” Stevens said, via WEEI. “Initially, we had talked to them a couple of times over the past few days. But that came about try late. We did not think there would be anything there and in the last 20 minutes or so that materialized. We didn’t necessarily anticipate in the early part of the day, but we had our eyes on Theis and the reason why was because Rob and Al are our guys and they’re playing great, but if you miss any time with those two guys you can plug Theis in and it will be a seamless transition. Theis knows how to make our best players better. That’s the best thing he does, is he has a great feel for making others around him better. He’s got a savvy for the game. And he can play a role. If Rob misses a stretch, Theis can plugin. And off the bench, with Grant, if we play minutes without Al or Rob on the floor Theis can play the exact role those guys are playing now and do so at a high level. It’s insurance there at that spot with a guy who can do it at a high level.”"

In averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds with the Houston Rockets, Theis will have an opportunity to make his mark on the team once again.  Not only does he have experience playing with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and alongside Al Horford, he can give the team some minutes if the Celtics are without Horford or Robert Williams.

With the team amid a seven-game winning stretch the addition of Theis is one of those minor moves that can pay big dividends heading down the stretch of the 2021-22 NBA season and into the playoffs.

NBA rumors: Celtics don’t need Robin Lopez

With a few roster spots open, the Boston Celtics will be rumored in connection with some of the top buyout market candidates out there.

One big name is Robin Lopez, who will more than likely become a free agent once bought out by the Orlando Magic.

Averaging 7.9 points per game and 3.7 rebounds, the 33-year-old big man can still give a contending team some viable minutes off the bench.  With the big man trio of Robert Williams, Al Horford and Daniel Theis, is Lopez also a fit?

NBC Sports Boston analyst Brian Sclabrine thinks so and sees Lopez as the number one target for the Celtics on the buyout market.

"“My number one in the buyout market, Robin Lopez,” Scalabrine said, via NBC Sports Boston. “I know he spent so much time down at Walt Disney World, I know he likes Mickey Mouse and all that, but come to Boston and you can do your thing up here.  We need you for many different reasons.”"

While the team could never get enough rebounding and rim protection, the Celtics should focus on getting more scoring off the bench.  Unless the team lands another top name entering the buyout market, adding Lopez would certainly add more depth down low, but he doesn’t fit how the Celtics like to use their big men.

Obviously, Lopez would be an upgrade over Enes Freedom, but the Celtics seem pretty set with their big man rotation.