The NBA Draft came and went, and if the season started tomorrow, "underwhelming" would be the nicest way to describe the Boston Celtics lineup. Bringing back Anfernee Simons in the Jrue Holiday trade gave the Celtics the option to start Simons or Payton Pritchard. Either would be a viable backcourt mate to Derrick White. The frontcourt options are far less palatable.
Most mock drafts had the Celtics targeting a center or forward. None of the major outlets had the Celtics targeting a high-upside international shooting guard. There was no need to sweat it out because after the first round, two of the top center targets were still on the board, and at least one of them would be available. Fans who watched or followed the second round know how that turned out.
The Celtics did finally draft a big man at the number 46 pick and selected Kentucky's Amari Williams. Williams is a physical presence and compares nicely to Isaiah Hartenstein, according to Bleacher Report. That's great news if he is a developmental piece or a backup, but there is a legitimate chance he is the starting center at the start of the season.
The Celtics hope to return Al Horford and Luke Kornet, but there are rumors that both will have a robust market in free agency. With control of Horford and Kornet's destiny somewhat out of Brad Stevens' hands, the Celtics need to look to alternatives to control their frontcourt destiny. It could be time to call a recent trade partner out west.
Brad Stevens Should Check in on Blazers' Robert Williams' Availability
"Time Lord" would be an option to return to Boston on an expiring deal. The Blazers appear to be under the impression that there is no such thing as too many centers. They currently roster Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and just drafted China's Yang Hansen, in addition to Williams. That should make at least one of them expendable. It likely isn't the two recent first-round draft picks who would be available, and teams weren't exactly clamoring for Ayton when the Suns made him available.
The Celtics have amassed several assets in the prior week that could help facilitate a trade with the Blazers again. There's always Sam Hauser's very team-friendly contract. Georges Niang has a reasonable cap number, and the Celtics have a plethora of second-round picks to sweeten the deal. It also doesn't hurt that the Celtics and Blazers' front offices seem to enjoy working with one another.
Reuniting with Robert Williams isn't a long-term solution, and there is always an injury risk. The Celtics are openly looking to get financial flexibility this year, and Williams 'contract ends after this coming season.
The Celtics need to upgrade the center role in a big way before the season starts, and Williams is a serviceable starter who has strong defensive instincts and rebounds well. Both are things the Celtics needed to address. Having Williams on board allows for Neemias Queta to continue in a backup role and gives Amari Williams time to develop at the pace of the NBA.