Should Magic Sign 'Perfect Fit' in Celtics PF Grant Williams?
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The Boston Celtics' goal this offseason appears to be retaining a majority of the same roster that brought them to the Eastern Conference Finals.
But with the All Star tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown eligible for a combined $600 million, that could be a tall task.
And before the Celtics' front office pays its dynamic duo, it has decisions to make, including whether or not to bring back forward Grant Williams.
"I think his number is anywhere from probably the non-tax midlevel, which is at $12.2 million -- I would say $12-14 million," ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks said on the Celtics Talk Podcast. "So now you're looking at Houston, Orlando, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, maybe Indiana."
The Orlando Magic enter this offseason with money to spend - currently $22 million according to Spotrac - with the potential for more upon the statuses of Jonathan Isaac, Moe Wagner and Michael Carter-Williams.
A reliable two-way forward, Williams averaged career-highs in points (8.1), rebounds (4.6), assists (1.7) and 3PM (1.5) in 2023, while also making the playoffs in each of his first four seasons.
And for a team with postseason aspirations, there could be a high price tag for that type of resume in Orlando.
“He is 24, he has proven his chops, on both ends,” a Western Conference executive told Heavy. “You can’t coach that kind of experience. He’s got it. He is a perfect fit there. You want to become a playoff team, he is the kind of guy they’d want. But Orlando would have to overpay to get him and it is tough to expect a team to do that. Obviously, if you are Williams, you want to see the Magic being aggressive on the market.”
Boston is eligible to match an offer for Williams, leaving Orlando to question exactly what his value is in free agency.
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