NBA Notebook: Mitchell Robinson's rebounding, Kevin Garnett's jersey, and Russell Westbrook's retirement

Possessions matter. For the Boston Celtics, they matter a lot. They are the foundation of everything the Celtics want to accomplish. At least, that was the case last season.

Not necessarily earning the most possessions. The Celtics actually ranked dead last in the NBA in total possessions by a landslide. But rather, earning more possessions -- more chances to score -- than the opponent on any single night.

That's at the crux of Mazzulla Ball, as detailed in an article about Boston's offseason additions. Paul George is a defensive playmaking monster, and Mitchell Robinson's defense is top-notch, too.

But Robinson's true gift is offensive rebounding. It's how he creates extra possessions. Boston knows that better than anyone, as Joe Mazzulla has intentionally fouled Robinson in the past just to get him off the floor.

Yet somehow, Robinson's offensive rebounding is still underrated. He's one of the NBA's best offensive rebounders, but that still doesn't capture his greatness.

Last season, Robinson only played 19.6 minutes per contest. The New York Knicks carefully managed his playing time in order to keep him healthy for the entire season (and the playoffs).

Despite that, he still pulled down 4.2 offensive rebounds per game. That ranked second in the NBA behind only Donovan Clingan, who grabbed 4.5 -- in 27.2 minutes a night.

Rather than looking at the raw counting stats, let's use offensive rebounding percentage. That's the percentage of a team's shots a player rebounds. For context, here are a few players:

According to Basketball Reference's league leaders page, Robinson technically doesn't qualify for the leaderboard. He didn't play enough minutes. By those numbers, Clingan led the league, grabbing 17.7% of his team's misses. Moussa Diabate was second (16.5%), Jalen Duren was third (15.3%), Rudy Gobert was fourth (14.1%), and Neemias Queta was fifth (13.5%).

Now, let's insert Robinson into the picture. Where would he have ranked had he played enough minutes to "qualify" for the leaderboard? First. By a mile. Robinson grabbed 23.9% of his team's misses. Nearly a quarter of them.

For context, according to Basketball Reference, the best single-season offensive rebounding mark in NBA history was Dennis Rodman's 1994-95 campaign, when he grabbed 20.8% of his team's misses. It was one of only two seasons in which a player grabbed at least 20% of the team's misses (Jayson Williams, 1997-98, 20.5%).

That means Robinson's 2025-26 offensive rebounding percentage would be the best single-season number in league history by over three percent. That's bigger than the gap between Rodman's 1994-95 campaign and the 17th-best season ever.

Robinson isn't just the best offensive rebounder in the league. He has a real case at being the best offensive rebounder in NBA history. If the Celtics' goal was to help gain possessions, Robinson is going to help them do that more than anyone.

1. Kevin Garnett's jersey retirement

After years of beefing with the former Minnesota Timberwolves owner, Glen Taylor, Kevin Garnett will finally have his jersey retired by his first-ever team. And better yet, the Wolves are going to retire his jersey the night the Boston Celtics are in town.

No. 21 will never be worn again in Minnesota. No player has worn it since Garnett. It's been effectively retired since Garnett was traded to Boston, but now, it will be official. Save the date: February 28. This is what Garnett had to say on the matter:

"Minnesota is home. That's never changed. This is where it all started for me, so seeing No. 21 go up in Target Center and sharing that moment with the fans, my family, teammates, coaches, and everyone who's been part of this journey means everything," Garnett said via ESPN. "But I don't see this as the end - I see it as a new beginning. Retiring the jersey is just the start of the next chapter in Minnesota, about building something that lives beyond the game. ... I can't wait to be back in that building, feel that energy, and celebrate it with everybody. Let's get it."

2. Dennis Schroder traded

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Dennis Schroder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Cavaliers got Tre Mann, but it wasn't about the return. It was about the second apron.

Mann makes $6.8 million less than Schroder, giving the Cavaliers a bit more breathing room below the first and second aprons. Some breathing room Cleveland desperately needs.

Cleveland still needs to re-sign James Harden this summer. After the trade, the Cavaliers will have around $32 million in room below the first apron and $44 million below the second, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.

If the Cavs bring back Harden on a contract around the $30 million mark, they shouldn't have any problem staying below the second apron.

3. Cavs other moves

That said, re-signing Harden may not be the only move on the Cavaliers' minds at the moment. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Cavaliers are still interested in Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson:

"The Cavaliers remain in constant communication with James Harden and his agents on a new contract to return to Cleveland while they strongly pursue two free agent forwards -- restricted Peyton Watson and unrestricted Jonathan Kuminga -- made more viable with Friday's trade."

Watson and the Denver Nuggets are still dealing with a restricted free agency saga. Both sides have yet to agree on a deal, with talks of a sign-and-trade on the table, as well as the possibility that Denver ships out another contract to make room for Watson.

As for Kuminga, he's an unrestricted free agent. However, he seems to want a decent chunk of change on his next contract. That would require the Cavaliers to complete a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

In either case, a sign-and-trade would probably be necessary, as the Cavaliers likely want to at least stay below the second apron. That would probably put Max Strus ($16.7 million expiring contract) on the chopping block.

4. Max Shulga goes back overseas

It's a small move, but a former Celtic nonetheless. Max Shulga has joined Real Madrid on a two-year contract. He'll join the Spanish squad ahead of their upcoming campaign.

Shulga began last season on a two-way contract with the Celtics after they selected him with the No. 57 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He ended the season on a standard deal after the Celtics' cap gymnastics to stay under the first apron.

The Ukrainian guard will join a very talented Real Madrid squad ahead of next year. A team that includes the likes of Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Chuma Okeke, and Olivier Sarr.

5. Russell Westbrook retires

Russell Westbrook officially announced his retirement from the NBA on social media. He posted this video to Twitter:

Westbrook spent 18 years in the NBA, earning nine All-Star appearances, nine All-NBA teams, and an MVP award. He retires with the most triple-doubles in NBA history with 209, though Nikola Jokic is closing in with 198.

He holds career averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 43.8% from the field and 30.8% from deep range on 3.7 3-point attempts per contest.