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The Latest Intel on Celtics' Restricted Free Agent Grant Williams
Grant Williams entered the NBA with the same swing skill as Jordan Walsh. The former Tennessee Volunteer came to Boston as a well-rounded prospect with a high floor. But whether he developed into a reliable three-point shooter would determine whether he could evolve into a starting-caliber player.
The former first-round pick now checks that box, knocking down 41.1 percent of his 3.4 long-range attempts in 2021-22 and 39.5 percent of the 3.7 threes he hoisted last season.
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Williams is also a versatile defender who's often rewarded the Celtics for trusting him in the playoffs against players like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jimmy Butler.
Even after provoking the latter in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the fourth-year forward defended the Heat star well. But Butler buried one contested shot after another, living up to the nickname Playoff Jimmy.
Removing him as an option against physical players like the trio mentioned would place more of a burden on individuals such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, and Al Horford.
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Walsh, whose defensive prowess could allow him to contribute immediately, can help, especially in a role off the bench. But assigning a rookie who needs to add muscle to guard some of the NBA's top stars in the playoffs is a lot to ask.
But after acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Boston's $7.3 million from the second apron, per Spotrac. That's before signing Walsh.
Unless the Celtics are willing to exceed that threshold, which seems unlikely and ill-advised, the path to re-signing Williams involves trading at least one of Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams.
But according to Sean Deveney of Heavy, Boston would like to keep the 24-year-old forward, and they will discuss the potential for a deal before Williams heads to the open market.
The Celtics also must tender a $8.5 million qualifying offer to the North Carolina native to make him a restricted free agent.
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Deveney reporting that the two sides maintain a good relationship even after a trying season outside the rotation for long stretches, including not playing in six of Boston's playoff games and logging four minutes or less in three others, sparks optimism for at least working out a sign-and-trade. That would allow the Celtics to create a trade exception or maybe acquire a player or draft capital to aid their roster-building efforts.
Last summer, Williams and the franchise who drafted him were unable to come to terms on an extension. The former wanted to bet on himself. And even without knowing just how restrictive the new collective bargaining agreement would be, the latter knew it might later regret missing an opportunity to save cap space.
Per Deveney, Williams rejected an extension in the range of four years and $50 million last fall. While he's still likely to sign a deal in that neighborhood, the restrictive nature of the new collective bargaining agreement and Boston's cap sheet suggest as much as the two would like to stay together, the 22nd pick in the 2019 draft is likely to have a new NBA home next season.
Further Reading
Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston
Celtics' Summer League Roster Taking Shape
Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'
After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?
Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics
