The Boston Celtics were largely expected to take a gap year of sorts after Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles, and the departure of multiple key players in the offseason to duck the dreaded second apron. Even in a wide-open East, Boston was not expected to be competitive.
Now, the Celtics find themselves a half-game back of the Knicks for the second seed in the East and are very much in the contending mix. Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his career, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have stepped up as ball-handlers, and Boston’s youth in Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, and Neemias Queta have shined as well.
Even with all of their success, the Celtics should pursue upgrades at their center spot. After the departures of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Boston has been looking for a long-term solution at the five. There is one Western Conference center that would be the fix to that problem.
The Celtics must go all-in for Clippers center Ivica Zubac
Zubac has been one of the NBA’s most steady centers over the last few seasons. He is a strong rim-protector and is a physical rebounder.
If there is one area where the Celtics can be exposed, it is in the paint. Boston is just 26th in defensive rebounding percentage, and 20th in offensive rebounds allowed. Conversely though, the Celtics are one of the NBA’s better offensive rebounding teams, and since December 1st, have allowed the lowest points in the paint per game. That is where Zubac comes in.
He has averaged at least nine rebounds per game in the last four seasons, including double-digits in the last two. He has a defensive rebounding percentage of 23.4, which would lead Boston. He is also inside the top 20 in offensive rebounding percentage, which fits right in with the Celtics’ tendency to crash the offensive glass.
Zubac is also on a manageable contract, as he is in the first year of a three-year extension and makes under $20 million annually in each of the three years. This is good news for a Boston team that wants to maintain financial flexibility.
Zubac gives the Celtics the starting center they've been looking for
Boston has been in the market for a long-term solution in their frontcourt ever since they traded Kristaps Porzingis away. Zubac fits right in with their identity and gives them a physical presence inside that will help them match up with more physical teams.
The Celtics are right in the mix in the East this season, and with Tatum expected to make his return in a couple months, having Zubac in the fold will only boost their championship prospects for now and in the future.