Center Options

[LofJ]

Derrick Favors a fit?

A sign and trade of Graham for Favors and the Jazz 1st would be a decent trade. I think we want to retain Graham and the Jazz don't have cap space and need to either retain or replace Conley. So they'd have to cough up some value to make it happen.

Mitchell and Graham were also HS teammates. Mitchell specifically has said he wants to play with him in the NBA. Kupchak could easily make it happen.

[Rich4114]

I think our extreme ineptitude at the center spot has amplified our need for a center and it makes us think we need an all star type guy when we really just need someone to not be a complete liability on both ends of the floor. Someone who can take up space, grab rebounds, finish easy shots, etc. Would Zubak be available? Noel? We don’t necessarily need someone all star level to make a huge impact. We also need better production from PJ because he plays undersized for his position/size.

[MPM]

I think our extreme ineptitude at the center spot has amplified our need for a center and it makes us think we need an all star type guy when we really just need someone to not be a complete liability on both ends of the floor. Someone who can take up space, grab rebounds, finish easy shots, etc. Would Zubak be available? Noel? We don’t necessarily need someone all star level to make a huge impact. We also need better production from PJ because he plays undersized for his position/size.

I honestly don't get Zubac. He plays like a slightly bigger Willy Hernangomez to me. I think if the playoffs are any indication, we need a defensive minded center that has some semblance of offensive game (that can take advantage of small ball opponents). Leaning more and more to pushing for a trade for Bamba (if the Magic think WCJ is their answer at 5). All of this to say - I agree with you - we don't need an all-star, someone like Bamba could be our Brook Lopez and age wise meshes with 'Melo.

[Rich4114]

Chances are we draft a big man and then acquire one either via trade or free agency. I just hope they don’t go all out for a guy like Myles Turner. I’d love to have him, but not if we have to give up a bunch considering we can get similar production from a free agent.

[driveandkick]

Chances are we draft a big man and then acquire one either via trade or free agency. I just hope they don’t go all out for a guy like Myles Turner. I’d love to have him, but not if we have to give up a bunch considering we can get similar production from a free agent.

Unless we get Mobley, I do not see the point of drafting another big unless you’re already admitting defeat on Carey/Richards. We shouldn’t just keep wasting roster spots by throwing darts at the center position. Odds are, BPA at 11 won’t be a center.

[BleedGreen1989]

You guys should just sign Daniel Theis.

Can protect the rim, roll to the basket, has some stretch to his game, good athlete, and just a really solid dude to have on your team and locker room.

Not to mention him and Gordo were super close in Boston. Like playdates with the wives and kids close.

[MPM]

You guys should just sign Daniel Theis.

Can protect the rim, roll to the basket, has some stretch to his game, good athlete, and just a really solid dude to have on your team and locker room.

Not to mention him and Gordo were super close in Boston. Like playdates with the wives and kids close.

Would love Theis in our frontcourt rotation.

[BleedGreen1989]

You guys should just sign Daniel Theis.

Can protect the rim, roll to the basket, has some stretch to his game, good athlete, and just a really solid dude to have on your team and locker room.

Not to mention him and Gordo were super close in Boston. Like playdates with the wives and kids close.

Would love Theis in our frontcourt rotation.

It makes too much sense. He’s not going to break the bank or get in anyone’s way and he should fit well with LaMelo.

He has his shortcomings, but he’s going to play hard every night. Never have to worry about that.

[GoBobs]

You guys should just sign Daniel Theis.

Can protect the rim, roll to the basket, has some stretch to his game, good athlete, and just a really solid dude to have on your team and locker room.

Not to mention him and Gordo were super close in Boston. Like playdates with the wives and kids close.

Would love Theis in our frontcourt rotation.

It makes too much sense. He’s not going to break the bank or get in anyone’s way and he should fit well with LaMelo.

He has his shortcomings, but he’s going to play hard every night. Never have to worry about that.

He would be a good pickup if the price is right

[HornetJail]

Wouldn't be the worst case scenario but it would be underwhelming. If we draft a C, I like Theis as a stopgap center until the rookie is ready to start. He's an upgrade on Zeller but mostly due to health reasons

[wilson115]

Celts made it to a conference finals with Theis and young Robert Williams splitting time at center. Wouldn't mind him at all if the price is right.

In conversations I’ve had with people around the league, Charlotte is one of several teams expected to show interest in Theis. The Bulls are interested. But you also have to guard against getting into a bidding war when you have more pressing needs. Free agency is unpredictable. If he doesn’t verbally agree on the first day of free agency, that helps the Bulls’ chances to re-sign him.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/nba-free-agents-bulls-potential-targets-daniel-theis-suitors

[MPM]

You guys should just sign Daniel Theis.

Can protect the rim, roll to the basket, has some stretch to his game, good athlete, and just a really solid dude to have on your team and locker room.

Not to mention him and Gordo were super close in Boston. Like playdates with the wives and kids close.

Would love Theis in our frontcourt rotation.

It makes too much sense. He’s not going to break the bank or get in anyone’s way and he should fit well with LaMelo.

He has his shortcomings, but he’s going to play hard every night. Never have to worry about that.

I'd see him as a backup but getting significant burn - if we sign someone minutes-challenged like Noel (24 mpg) there'd be plenty of court time available. Best case for me is we could overhaul our frontcourt with a starter TBD + Theis seeing decent bench minutes.

[Rich4114]

I’d be perfectly content with a Noel+Theis free agency haul. Will also need a wing shooter too though.

[wilson115]

Signing two starting-caliber centers depends on PJ and the draft. PJ's sure to get minutes at the 5 especially if Miles starts. Ditto our first-round pick if we get a big man. Wouldn't mind a Noel+Theis tag team otherwise.

[yosemiteben]

Remember back in the day when Andre Drummond was a relevant option. LAL played him less than 20 MPG and he was a DNP-CD in their elimination game despite ADavis only playing 5 minutes. Very curious what his summer looks like.

[JMAC3]

Drummond is about to be the next Whiteside. Numbers but teams are smart enough to know they aren't winning players and they will be done getting paid for those empty stats.

[HornetJail]

Rank these options from your favorite to least favorite ways of filling the center hole:

(1) - Trade #11 and cap space for Christian Wood
(2) - Trade #11 and Gordon Hayward to Indiana for Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis
(3) - Draft a C at #11 and sign an MLE center (Theis/Noel/Zeller/Harrell) as a stopgap, or trade minimal value for Adams/TT
(4) - Draft a C at #11 and trade a future protected pick for a good stopgap in Nurkic/Valanciunas/Zubac
(5) - Give Jarrett Allen an exorbitant contract offer that Cleveland wouldn't match (near max, also renouncing Monk in the process)
(6) - Don't draft a center, offer $12-14M to Richaun Holmes, settle for Theis/Noel/Harrell/Zeller if he doesn't sign, and roll with Carey as a backup
(7) - Ignore the center position, use all available resources on wings and forwards, sign a Whiteside or Drummond, bring them off the bench and start PJ at C

My preference

Spoiler:

2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 7, 5

[SWedd523]

Rank these options from your favorite to least favorite ways of filling the center hole:

Penis

(1) - Trade #11 and cap space for Christian Wood
(2) - Trade #11 and Gordon Hayward to Indiana for Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis
(3) - Draft a C at #11 and sign an MLE center (Theis/Noel/Zeller/Harrell) as a stopgap, or trade minimal value for Adams/TT
(4) - Draft a C at #11 and trade a future protected pick for a good stopgap in Nurkic/Valanciunas/Zubac
(5) - Give Jarrett Allen an exorbitant contract offer that Cleveland wouldn't match (near max, also renouncing Monk in the process)
(6) - Don't draft a center, offer $12-14M to Richaun Holmes, settle for Theis/Noel/Harrell/Zeller if he doesn't sign, and roll with Carey as a backup
(7) - Ignore the center position, use all available resources on wings and forwards, sign a Whiteside or Drummond, bring them off the bench and start PJ at C

My preference

Spoiler:

2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 7, 5

6, 2, 3...big gap..., 7, 4, 1, 5

[KingCat]

There is no way that Turner/Sabonis commands us to give up a lottery pick and our best player

[amcoolio]

Want no part of Turner after what KOC said today on the podcast...Indy is shopping him for a reason