When the Boston Celtics made one of many offseason’s blockbuster strikes by buying Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards, they have been pondering large — positionally, strategically, and fairly actually.

Porzingis, listed at 7 ft, 3 inches on Basketball Reference, can be the second-tallest participant in franchise historical past behind Tacko Fall. The Latvian was estimated to have a 7-foot-6 wingspan when he was drafted fourth general by the Knicks in 2015.

Boston has introduced in three smaller additions for the reason that commerce, and all three boast vital measurable benefits at their positions. Second-round rookie wing Jordan Walsh is 6-foot-7 with a ridiculous 7-foot-2 wingspan, ahead Oshae Brissett can stretch 7 ft flat at his 6-foot-7 top, and guard Dalano Banton stands someplace between 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-9, relying on the supply you belief.

Picture by Ron Hoskins/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

That is essentially the most obvious dedication to size and positional dimension in Brad Stevens’s tenure as a coach or President of Basketball Operations. Certain, we’ve seen the Celtics sometimes gamble on dimension and size up to now. Robert Williams III and Romeo Langford had outlier wingspans that appealed once they have been first-round draft picks, and calling Fall’s body distinctive is an understatement.

However by no means have so many strikes held such an apparent defining theme. I’d argue that earlier than two weeks in the past, Luke Kornet was the one addition of the GM Stevens period with standout measurables. Earlier signings felt impressed by an easy-to-visualize function or a lacking ability. These 4 to date really feel totally different, as a result of in all 4 instances, we’re probably not positive what the roles will appear to be.

Porzingis rightfully instructions essentially the most query marks, however he’s additionally simpler to image in an NBA offense as a result of he’s carved his area of interest. He may help bust zones, diversify the offense out of the put up, and relieve stress on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Simply as importantly, Porzingis will possible be a staple of the drop-coverage protection that grew to become the usual final season. Boston hopes the sheer dimension distinction from 6-foot-10 Horford to Porzingis, for instance, makes the protection extra imposing. Buying and selling Marcus Sensible, an outstanding display navigator, places much more stress on Porzingis to threaten along with his dimension.

However what in regards to the different three? The Celtics have stuffed 13 of 15 full roster spots with Walsh and JD Davison nonetheless technically unsigned (although Justin Champagnie’s contract is non-guaranteed). And there’s the Grant Williams elephant within the room — so no matter the place he finally ends up, this roster is near set, barring a shock transfer.

Banton and Brissett have hung across the edges of standard NBA taking part in time since reaching the professionals, however are solely 23 and 25 years previous, respectively. Walsh has league-ready defensive tenacity, although he’s bought some creating to do offensively. The probabilities that one or a number of break into the common season rotation is likely to be greater than you assume.

The Celtics didn’t add these gamers to focus on particular weaknesses on a 57-win staff. They’re altering their method to title rivalry, and imagine the size and ability intersections right here may assist actualize the imaginative and prescient.

Banton is the antithesis of teammate Payton Pritchard — a hard-charging, fast-paced driver with attractive defensive versatility and a completely non-threatening jumper. It’ll be fascinating to look at the 2 compete for enjoying time as Boston’s potential third guard.

Brissett may find yourself changing Grant Williams if the latter leaves, however is a far totally different model of backup ahead. He’s longer and extra impactful in assist protection and as a shot-blocker than Williams, whose finest work was grounded in sound positioning and physicality. Not like Williams, Brissett is extra of a vertical athlete and an actual risk as a cutter. However Williams additionally honed his perimeter shot right into a weapon with the Celtics; Brissett continues to be suffering from streaks.

Walsh is in a wholly totally different class as a developmental rookie. It’d be unsurprising if he spent a lot of the season within the G League like Davison did final 12 months. However there’s additionally a world the place the Arkansas wing’s “violent” protection makes a right away affect in bite-sized minutes.

All 4 additions may spark the most important collective change on protection. The Celtics ranked twelfth in postseason defensive score, and at the same time as a top-five common season unit, issues nonetheless felt like a step again from 2021-22. Joe Mazzulla slowly began drawing the staff away from Ime Udoka’s switch-heavy schemes, and these signings really feel like reinforcements.

Walsh initiatives as an outstanding on-ball and change defender. His size additionally permits him to pounce on passing lanes and shut out arduous on shooters. Brissett can equally shut out arduous and alter pictures. Banton has a nostril for the ball whether or not he’s on or off it. Every man appears able to boosting the again line; it’s not nearly how they will slide onto the purpose of assault.

Then on offense with Porzingis commanding touches behind Tatum and Brown, discovering cutters and retailers for the three playmaking hubs is a logical subsequent step. Walsh, Banton, and Brissett will every have to determine their very own capturing struggles to face out, however all three not less than provide promise as cutters and driving threats. That’s one other welcome sight given the peaks and valleys of Boston’s motion and spacing final season.

These 4 signings will affect the 2023-24 Celtics at various ranges. Porzingis is clearly a centerpiece, however the others may leapfrog established teammates, or they won’t play vital minutes in any respect. That doesn’t imply they’re insignificant additions — the large image method to roster-building by Brad Stevens seems to be ushering in a brand new stylistic period.