There is one roster spot left to fill for the Boston Celtics. As of the moment, there is no clear candidate for it, but one name emerged recently. It is center Andrew Bogut whose agent, according to The Boston Globe, spoke with four teams including the Celtics. The report mentioned as well that Bogut had his final bone scan Tuesday and is expected to get clearance to play. He is heading back to the United States this weekend and is hoping to secure a deal next week.
Bogut last played for one of the Celtics' fiercest rivals in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He signed with them in March, but his stint was short-lived. During his debut for the team, he fractured the tibia in his left leg in just one minute of action. The Cavs waived him less than two weeks after his acquisition.
Logjam at center
If the Celtics add Bogut, they will have four players at the No. 5 position. He will join fellow veterans Al Horford and Aron Baynes, together with rookie Daniel Theis. Horford, who spent his first year in Boston last season, is projected to start in the 2017-18 season. Baynes will likely be his backup, while Theis is going to be the third man on the depth chart. It is uncertain where Bogut fits into the scheme of things, though if he can regain his old form, he might be the second option at center for head coach Brad Stevens.
Spurs, Bucks, and Jazz join Bogut sweepstakes
Aside from the Celtics, there are three more squads rumored to be eyeing Bogut as reported by The Daily Telegraph. These are the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, and the Utah Jazz. The Spurs only have two legitimate centers (Pau Gasol and Joffrey Lauvergne) as of the moment. Perhaps this is the reason why they are interested in bringing the 32-year-old Aussie to San Antonio.
The Bucks, on the other hand, have Greg Monroe, John Henson, and Thon Maker. Monroe and Henson are veterans, but none has the same experience in the NBA as Bogut.
The Jazz have big men who can play at No. 5. Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Ekpe Udoh, and Tony Bradley are all capable of taking the responsibilities at center. However, similar to Milwaukee, no one is as experienced as Bogut.
Favors has the most seasons under his belt with seven. Following him is the returning Udoh who played five seasons before leaving in 2015 to suit up for Fenerbahce. Gobert is one of Utah's rising stars, while Bradley was the Jazz's 28th overall pick in this year's draft.
