Boston Celtics: 4 unanswered questions for the playoffs

Can Jayson Tatum play center?

Honestly, this might be more a personal wish, but at 6′ 8″––or reportedly 6′ 9″––Jayson Tatum has never suited up at the five. Although with Robert Williams III is back, and now seemingly decent center depth, it might make less sense, one can hope. The Celtics have started the 6′ 9″ 215-pound Daniel Theis at center in 63 out of the 64 games he has played. Yet, they do not seem inclined to move the 210-pound Tatum, to that spot.

With Tatum at the center, the Celtics would likely start three guards: Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown, at the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward positions, respectively. In terms of pure talent, this lineup gets the Celtics best five players on the floor. Nevertheless, they do lose some size.

Defensively, this lineup might be slightly better. Even though the Celtics would not have a paint presence like Theis, the team would have arguably the best perimeter defense in the league. The Celtics are already a top-five team in terms of defensive rating, defensive field goal percentage, turnovers forced, fastbreak points off turnovers, deflections, and nearly every other defensive stat.

Brown and Tatum have both become two of the best perimeter defenders, with Gordon Hayward not far behind. Substituting Theis for Marcus Smart, a defensive player of the year candidate, makes that perimeter defense even more unstoppable.

Adding on, other than Walker, every one of the Celtics players in this hypothetical small lineup can guard practically every player on the floor. In fact, the 6’1″ Smart regularly is matched up with Giannis Antetokounmpo when they face the Milwaukee Bucks and Tatum is usually on the best forward, regardless of size.

On offense, using Smart instead of Theis allows the Celtics to stay on the perimeter. The team would not be able to play through screens, driving in and out of the paint, but instead can space the floor with five guys that are reliable from three and who could get past defenders playing close.

Why would this lineup not work? Daniel Theis is a much more physical player than Tatum or anyone else in this hypothetical lineup, but I think the Celtics would be able to make up for this lack of strength. The most significant issue would be the bench.

With Smart in the starting lineup, the Celtics bench would likely be Brad Wanamaker, Grant Williams, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams III, and either Romeo Langford or Enes Kanter. The Celtics may not have any standout center, but they have a plethora of big men, who cannot all play on the second unit together.

Still, it would be fun seeing this lineup once or twice, and maybe if they face a small team in the playoffs, they surprise everyone with this starting group. One can only hope. But how will the Celtics divide their big man minutes? With Robert Williams healthy and playing well, could he have a significant role in the playoffs?