The Boston Celtics are facing an earlier offseason than expected, blowing a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and losing their first series to the Philadelphia 76ers in the "Jays" era. While Jaylen Brown's future is the biggest question, Brad Stevens has other roster needs to immediately tend to.
One important one, that has been a thorn in the team's side for every season in the past decade in which Al Horford wasn't in uniform, is the center spot. While Neemias Queta could be retained with a team option, there's a clear need for another body.
NBC Sports Boston's Justin Leger believes the Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. could be an option amid the franchise's likely rebuild, following their recent first-round elimination and firing of head coach Jamahl Mosley.
"The Magic might look to move Carter Jr. to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If so, the Celtics should give them a call," Leger wrote. "Carter Jr. is a rock-solid defender who can also occasionally provide a spark on the offensive end. He isn't the best rim protector, but he's a versatile big who excels at switching and can anchor the paint. His play style would work well in Boston."
Celtics need a big man upgrade after Nikola Vucevic failure
Carter is an intriguing contract-year fit. He's only even in consideration because Nikola Vucevic, the man he was initially traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Magic for, was such a bust in a Celtics uniform.
Stevens implied a Vucevic return isn't in the cards during a post-elimination presser. Per Stevens:
"I have a lot of respect for Vooch as a person and as a pro. I thought he was really good in our locker room. I thought he was a really good person to have around. Certainly, a positive experience with him.”
Then again, Joe Mazzulla's benching of the Montenegrin big man in Game 7 against the Sixers was potentially an even stronger hint.
Carter has practically the opposite profile of Vucevic, having more overlap with Queta. Carter's three-point shooting has fallen off, but he was above 35% from beyond the arc just two years ago. He's not far removed from being the exact kind of player who'd thrive starting at the five.
We'll see if flipping the Anfernee Simons TPE for a big man like Carter is in the cards this offseason. It certainly sounds good on paper with the team's current core, though that will also be a wait-and-see situation.
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