Lakers Release Andrew Bogut; Should Celtics Pursue Veteran Big Man?

by **112288** Sat Jan 06, 2018 3:44 pm

Lakers Release Andrew Bogut; Should Celtics Pursue Veteran Big Man?

NESN by Dakota Randall on Sat, Jan 6, 2018 at 1:22PM

The Boston Celtics have looked great this season. But are they the same team now as the one we’ll see once the NBA playoffs roll around? The answer probably is no, if we’re to believe Chris Mannix’s recent report that the C’s “definitely” will use the $8.4 million Disabled Player Exception the NBA granted them after Gordon Hayward got injured.

And while there’s been virtually no indication as to who the Celtics could target with the extra money, one potentially intriguing name has entered the discussion: Andre Bogut. The Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday waived the veteran center, who they acquired in September.

Would Bogut generate as much fan excitement as, say, someone like free agent guard Monta Ellis would? Probably not. But the 33-year-old Aussie might be a better fit, and the Celtics did show interest in him during the offseason. The Celtics currently ruank 11th in the NBA in team rebounding, averaging 44.5 boards per game. But don’t let the ranking full you; when push comes to shove, the C’s struggle to rebound against teams with imposing frontcourts.

Furthermore, Boston’s strong rebounding numbers are a bit misleading, as the team was rebounding everything in sight at the start of the season, but have regressed to their norm since. Bogut essentially would give Boston an insurance policy in the event big man Aron Baynes suffers an injury, or gets into foul trouble in a game where he must defend a dominating center.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Bogut has appeared in 24 games this year for L.A., averaging 1.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. After averaging at least 20 minutes per game in the first 12 years of his career, Bogut has been on the floor for just nine minutes per game this season

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by **112288** Sat Jan 06, 2018 3:46 pm

I WOULD SAY YES..............BECAUSE I HELD MY BREATH YESTERDAY WHEN HORFORD CAME OUT OF THE GAME RUBBING HIS LEFT KNEE. IT COULD ALSO CREATE AN INTERESTING COMBO OF BOGAT AT CENTER AND BIG AL H. AT POWER FORWARD. REMEMBER MORRIS HAS KNEE PROBLEMS.

HOWEVER A SHOOTER WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED JUST IN CASE!

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by **international** Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:28 pm

No ,he had two opportunities to sign with the Celtics and elected to sign with other teams.

by **wideclyde** Sat Jan 06, 2018 4:41 pm

At a point in his career he would have been a nice addition to a team that is in the position that the Cs are in right now, but he may be too far over the hill at this point.

Also, international is correct, he already had chances to join Boston.

by **cowens/oldschool** Sat Jan 06, 2018 5:32 pm

He’s got nothing left

by **bobheckler** Sat Jan 06, 2018 5:44 pm

I say no.

1. Despite Lopez playing in only 30 of LA's 38 games so far Bogut has played in only 25 himself. He is only averaging 9 mpg. So, it's not like he is in fine form.

2. He's 33 years old.

3. He had a choice between coming here, to a team that made the EC Finals last year, and going to a team that even if it lived up to its pre-season hype (which it has not) was still probably not going to make the WC playoffs (and even if they did they'd get obliterated in the 1st round). He chose them, and Danny does not like players that spurn us. Neither do I.

4. The timing of this release is interesting given the locker room turmoil the Lakers are going through. It might not be Bogut's fault, he might just be the least valuable in future trade talks and/or the cheapest to jettison, but why take a chance?

Now, having said this, watch Danny sign him... Rolling Eyes