With Grant Williams gone, the Boston Celtics could use some frontcourt depth. With the final roster space available, CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone detailed why they could consider Bismack Biyombo as a possible fourth big.
“It’s odd that the Phoenix Suns didn’t bring him back.” He’s been solid for them the previous two seasons, but they let him go when they needed depth the most. If Biyombo still has enough athleticism, having him play behind Williams at center wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Biyombo was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and has since played for the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns. Biyombo averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 57.8% from the floor in 61 games with the Suns during the 2022-23 season.
Biyombo would provide the Celtics with a shot-blocking presence. It remains to be seen whether he is interested in playing behind three other big men on the squad.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey investigated each NBA team’s weakest link in their starting five. When he arrived with the Celtics, he stated that the team’s starting center would be the weakest link in their starting lineup.
“Despite coach Joe Mazzulla’s reluctance to use jumbo, two-big lineups last season,” Bailey wrote in a July 27 report about each NBA team’s weakest link, “starting Porziis and burying one of Horford or Williams as the third-string center feels unlikely.” “And whoever starts next to KP will almost certainly be the weak link in this starting five.” However, this is one of those cases where the label ‘weak’ is relative.”
Bailey went on to say that while neither Horford nor Williams can compete with the Celtics’ greatest, that isn’t a reflection on their abilities as players.
“Horford is 37 years old,” Bailey said, “and Williams has struggled with durability throughout his career.” “They’re just not on the same level as three All-Star candidates in 2023-24 (Porziis, Brown, and Tatum) and one of the game’s best defensive guards in Derrick White.”
“Derrick will be our starting point guard,” said Mazzula. “We have the ability to play in a variety of ways, including small-sided games.” We have the capacity to play big, and some of the modifications we made give Derrick, Payton (Pritchard), and Malcolm more opportunity. So I think it’s critical that those three believe they have a chance to flourish. We have an opportunity to assist them on both sides of the floor, and those three guards are a part of our identity and where we need to be on offense and defense.”
During the 2022-23 season, White started 70 of 82 games.
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