Looking at a few inexpensive rim protectors for the Celtics

The Celtics will probably make a run at every big-name center this summer: DeAndre Jordan, Robin Lopez, Omer Asik, etc. But all those guys will be extremely expensive, and some of them are getting up there in age. 

Here are a few under-the-radar alternatives; players who may be able to get the job done on a more team-friendly contract. Four candidates are discussed in this CelticsBlog article, one being New Orleans Pelicans backup big man Alexis Ajinca:

"In 14.1 minutes per game this past season, Ajinca averaged 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, .7 assists, and .8 blocks on 55% shooting from the floor. While those raw numbers are hardly eye-popping, his per-36 minute numbers of 16.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks paint him in a significantly more favorable light, as does his PER of 19.9. While it seems unlikely that he would retain such efficiency and effectiveness with more minutes, he is definitely a rim protector that could give the Celtics the defensive they need. 82games.com awarded Ajinca a block rating of 8.2, which certainly compares favorably to Tyler Zeller's score of 3.5."

His numbers are solid, but Ajinca can't move laterally and gets eaten alive in the pick-and-roll. There's more to defense than rim protection, and Ajinca's market value may be an overpay, considering all the other weaknesses in his game. 

Still, the Celtics will need to add someone to supplement Tyler Zeller. The search continues.

(h/t: CelticsBlog)

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports