Even when the storied ball club won its 2024 NBA Championship, the Celtics did not exactly have the stoutest big man rotation, with Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis missing large chunks of the regular season and playoffs due to injury and vet big Al Horford sitting out back-to-back games to avoid the decline in play seen when Horford was on court for too many minutes.

The Boston Celtics have embraced what is functionally a gap year, shedding salary with All-Star forward Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury. Nearing a payroll (including luxury taxes) well over $500 million,

Between trading away Kristaps Porzingis and losing Luke Kornet and Al Horford in free agency, Boston has little to no depth in the frontcourt. The front office has brought in some new faces to man the center position, but they aren't exactly viable options.