Celtics Writer Makes Bold Suggestion For Possible Roster Move

The consensus around the NBA seems to be that the Boston Celtics, at least right now, are the best team in basketball. Boston holds the top record in the league at 38-12 and ranks second in offensive rating and third in defensive rating, and it has arguably the best starting five in the land.

However, the team isn’t without concerns. It lost 114-105 on Thursday to a Los Angeles Lakers team that didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis but was still able to outplay it in the effort categories.

Plenty of people are concerned about the Celtics’ lack of depth, especially in the frontcourt. Unfortunately, the Celtics don’t have a lot of tradable assets, and this year’s trade market isn’t particularly attractive.

Rob Greene of Sports Illustrated had a slightly out-of-the-box suggestion: bring back Blake Griffin, who played for the Celtics last season.

“With this championship-eager Celtics’ roster, Griffin once again adds stability within the front court while bolstering Boston’s interior for any remaining questions,” wrote Greene. “His presence provides tremendous mentorship while adding another fitting option for the second unit, likely the deepest team in the NBA.

“With one open roster spot and limited options to fill it, a reunion with Griffin could prove the Celtics’ most beneficial move.”

The days of Griffin being a high-fly act or making a major impact are long gone. But he provided them with decent minutes last season, and he’s still 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds. During the 2022-23 campaign, he averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game for the men in green.

Boston has a viable big off the bench in veteran Al Horford, but it doesn’t have any viable options beyond him. Griffin could give the team some adequate insurance in case of an injury — and let’s face it, starting center Kristaps Porziņģis is injury-prone. Porzingis has already missed 14 of the Celtics’ 49 games this season, and he has appeared in more than 66 games only once.

While the Celtics are fifth in team scoring this year, they’re 27th in bench points per game. Griffin could add some satisfactory depth and insurance, but he wouldn’t be enough to address their lack of firepower from their reserves.