2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Vincent Poirier: 2 years, $2.3 million (Boston Celtics)
The Boston Celtics and French center Vincent Poirier have agreed to a two-year deal, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Poirier is a 6-foot-11 center who will provide additional front court depth in Boston.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2019
With the departure of Al Horford, finding a replacement on the interior became priority No. 1 for the Boston Celtics. Enes Kanter and French center Vincent Poirier hardly fix the frontcourt, but at least they’ll have a pair of capable players down low now.
The 25-year-old Poirier is a defensive big who crashes the offensive glass hard and led the EuroLeague in rebounding last year. Averaging 9.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his 21.2 minutes per game for Baskonia in Liga ACB last season, he’s a solid finisher around the rim, shooting 61.2 percent from the floor overall.
This two-year deal is likely for the veteran minimum after the room exception was used on Kanter. Given Boston’s lack of frontcourt depth, Poirier could very well carve out a role for himself next season. Unfortunately, if the goal is still contention in the East, Celtics fans can hardly be reassured by downgrading from Horford at the 5 to a combination of Kanter and Poirier.
Grade: C+