NBA Rumors: Celtics Linked To Top Center

The Boston Celtics are doing just fine thus far, on a 7-game winning streak and tops in the Eastern Conference at 11-3. But they're doing all this without starting center Robert Williams, out until the new year after knee surgery. And according to ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, the C's may want to seriously look at fortifying the center position for down the road this season.

"The name that has come up that people have speculated has been Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs."

- ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on potential trade targets for the Boston Celtics pic.twitter.com/qrTbvjKWeF
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"The question is 'does this team need to go out and get another big man who can defend?'" asked Windhorst on his Hoop Collective podcast. "The name that has come up that people have speculated has been Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs. They did a deal with the Spurs last year, obviously, for Derrick White."

Of the Celtics' two main big men right now, Al Horford is 36 and Grant Williams is undersized for the center position. Help in the form of someone like Poeltl would be huge for this roster. The 27-year-old Spurs' 7-footer is a top center in the league, and he's now in his contract year.

"The Spurs were unable to extend Poeltl. They tried to extnd him before the season. He will become an unrestricted free agent. They have the lowest payroll in the league. San Antonio can certainly afford to pay him, maybe that's what they're going to do at the end of the season."

But for now, teams like the Celtics may continue to check in on him.

Poeltl is currently averaging 13.4 points, with career highs at 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He also records 1.2 blocks per game for the Spurs this season.

Photo: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports