While the Boston Celtics contemplate Jaylen Brown’s future, the team focuses on restricted free agent forward Grant Williams.
Williams can sign an offer sheet with any other team on July 6. The Celtics would have 24 hours to match any offer. According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, the Celtics would welcome a sign-and-trade for Williams and any potential suitor that could pay above the mid-level exception.
Boston hopes to land a first-round draft pick in return. But as Weiss laminates, that’s a high price for a veteran role player, especially in a sign-and-trade.
The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards are all in the mix for Williams. Aside from the Knicks, the teams interested have a mid-level exception to use on Williams. Yet, the Mavericks and Wizards could offer more that’s out of the Celtics’ abilities to match an offer sheet.
Grant Williams is expected to be the first domino to fall for Boston. Jaylen Brown is eligible for a super-max extension worth $295 million. Yet, the Celtics are waiting to offer the extension. They want to wait and see if Brown needs to get included in a potential trade to upgrade the team — see Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers.
As for Williams, he is an intriguing role player. Last season, he averaged career highs of 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 79 games. The 6-foot-6 forward shot 45.4% from the field, including 39.5% from three.
The Wizards are not done shaping their roster, despite having 16 players under contract. Williams would give Washington another solid shooter. The Wizards were in the middle of the pack in three-point shooting during the 2022-23 season.
However, five of their top three-point shooters won’t be on the roster next season. Bradley Beal, Monte Morris, and Kristaps Porzingis have each gotten traded this summer. Will Barton got waived before the end of last season. Kendrick Nunn is an unrestricted free agent.
Only the team’s best three-point shooter, Corey Kispert, will return. Adding Williams gives them another high-end shooter coming off the bench. Williams also can provide versatility playing either forward position. Thus he could interchange depending on who he is matched with on the floor.
Williams is durable, playing in 288 games through his four seasons with Boston. He’d be a good addition to help set a culture for a rebuilding Wizards team. He also could be a key role player for a potential contender like the Hawks and Mavs. Thus, if the Wizards are interested, they’ll have stout competition.
