The Celtics have some real decisions to make this summer, and one of them involves the center position. With Nikola Vucevic expected to be on his way out, Boston might be circling back to a familiar face: Robert Williams III.
Brad Stevens made it clear last week that the front office wants more size up front. That wasn’t exactly subtle. After watching the Sixers run right through Boston’s frontcourt in the first round, it’s not hard to see why. Philly had Joel Embiid and company looking like they were playing against a JV squad in stretches.
According to Jay King of The Athletic, Williams is one of several names the Celtics have on their radar for the mid-level exception. Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks is another. So is Kevon Looney. That’s three guys who fit the job description: big, defensively capable, and probably available at a price Boston can actually afford.
Williams’ Time in Portland Has Been a Mixed Bag
The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Portland, but he’s only played 85 games total. Injuries have been the issue. When he’s actually on the floor, he’s still that same active, high-energy rim protector who averaged 1.6 blocks a game for his career. He’s also a solid rebounder and a decent enough scorer near the basket at 7.1 points a night.
The question is whether he can stay healthy enough to be reliable. The Celtics know what he is at his best, because they saw it up close for years. But that version of Williams feels like it’s been more memory than reality lately.
Boston also has Luka Garza on the roster, but he’s more of a regular-season minutes guy than a playoff rotation player. He just doesn’t have the athleticism to hang with the top teams when the games get tight and physical.
The Knicks and Warriors Factor In
Mitchell Robinson just won a title in New York, so his stock is up. He’d be a strong addition too, but the Knicks might have something to say about letting him walk. Looney is the steady, experienced option who knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
None of this is settled yet. The Celtics haven’t confirmed anything, and free agency is still a ways off. But the chatter is real, and the need is obvious. Boston’s front line got bullied in the postseason, and Stevens is clearly looking for guys who can push back.
Whether it’s Williams, Robinson, or Looney, expect the Celtics to make a real push for one of them. They can’t afford to go into next season as thin as they were this year.
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