The Celtics Still Need Another Inside Presence

(Photo courtesy of DGA Productions)

By: Greg Payne

When it comes to the Celtics, one of my worst tendencies is to get far too excited when a major move happens. Hence, when Rasheed Wallace was brought in, inside I was thinking we were the obvious favorites heading into next season.

But slowly, a couple of hours after the Wallace news broke, I came back down to earth and realized we are still far from a complete team. But, with Danny Ainge at the helm, hope is always on the way.

His next target appears to be Grant Hill, who maintains an excellent relationship with Doc Rivers. Hill, of course, would assume the role of the quality backup that management has been seeking for Paul Pierce for what feels like his entire career.


The Globe confirmed such interest:

President of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed that Phoenix free agent Grant Hill is on the Celtics’ wish list.

“We have interest in him,’’ said Ainge, who could offer Hill a $1.9 biannual-exception contract.

Hill met yesterday with the Knicks, a team that could offer him considerably more than the Celtics.

Now, unless Hill, 36, is in the midst of some sort of strange mid-life crisis and feels the need to run up and down all night long in an attempt to feel younger in New York, he should accept the Celtics' offer to compete for an NBA Championship, rather than suffering through New York's continued reconstruction effort.

Tyronn Lue's name has also been mentioned for the backup point guard spot, which would be a fabulous addition.

BUT, the fact remains, that even if the Celtics sign both of those proven veterans, they will still be missing depth at a key position on the floor.

When the Celtics chose not to make Leon Powe a qualifying offer, they weren't just ousting a fan favorite and an all-around great person. They were saying so long to their only other post player who actually plays in the post. With Rasheed Wallace now on board, and Glen Davis still a possibility, that would potentially leave the Celtics with four high quality big men. Unfortunately, three of them prefer the perimeter over the paint, with Perk being the lone man destined to mind the middle.

Even if Davis re-signs it would still seem apparent that another low post scorer would be sorely missed. Perhaps Powe could make a late season return once he's recovered from knee surgery, but Ainge clearly wanted his spot available to another player who could make an impact from Game 1.

Unfortunately, the remaining free agent big men (Antonio McDyess, Drew Gooden, Channing Frye, among others) seem to prefer the perimeter as well. David Lee is still available in New York, but unless he REALLY wants to win, he'll easily accept more money from an almost-contender somewhere else. Which leaves guys like Rasho Nesterovic and Zaza Pachulia.

Neither will make an All-Star team, but both prefer the paint and would fit in admirably as hard nosed players behind Perkins. Along with that, if Hill and Lue join the ranks, Boston's bench, completely anemic last season, would look something like this:

Tyronn Lue, Eddie House, Grant Hill, Rasheed Wallace, Rasho Nesterovic/Zaza Pachulia

Would anyone complain about that? Furthermore, a legitimate inside presence mixed in with the second unit would balance out Rasheed Wallace's tendencies to float around three-point nation, and would give the Celtics better rebounding in the paint, considering Wallace would be 20-odd feet from the rim.

That's what was so valuable about Powe. He was essentially versatile compared to our other big men. It would be very difficult to argue that Pachulia or Nesterovic or any other free agent big men are as tough or hard working as Powe, but the Celtics need to fill that spot, regardless. Or it could very well come back to haunt them next season. At this point, I'll say that position can be considered a glaring weakness as well as a potential back breaker.

Stay Tuned.