NBA Rumors: 3 teams pose a threat to pry Grant Williams away from Boston by frontloading his future contract
NBA teams are always on the lookout for players who can upgrade their roster. Teams try to find players via the draft, by trades and in free agency. Free agency can be a way to instantly upgrade a team with a player who has proven himself.
At the end of the current season, Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams will become a restricted free agent. He is in the final year of his rookie deal as the Celtics picked up his team option for this year. Williams is making $4.3 million this season and has the chance to make more on the open market.
There is already reported interest in Williams before he hits the open market. If teams offer a restricted agent, that player can accept the offer and would sign an offer sheet. The player’s current team could then match the offer.
Per NBA insider Sean Deveney, there are three teams already in the race for Williams: the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.
The Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs are threats to pry Grant Williams away from Boston, per @SeanDeveney
“They will be in a position to offer him $17-$18 million and maybe frontload the contract to scare off the Celtics from matching.” https://t.co/rancM6GRBI
How other teams can use Grant Williams
Williams has blossomed into a solid rotational player for the Celtics. He played solid minutes as a “3-and-D” player. He is a role player who specializes in 3-point shooting and provides a defensive presence. Last season, he shot 41.1% from 3-point range during the regular season.
If signed by the Magic, Pistons or Spurs, it is to be expected that he will play a little bit more of an expanded role. That's especially considering how much the teams are willing to offer.
All three organizations have young rosters which have not had much success. Williams’ presence would be as a veteran leader who understands what it takes to win. He provides an interesting skillset as a big who can spread the floor on offense.
Effect on Celtics if Grant Williams accepts the offers
The Celtics would take a hit to their depth if Williams were to depart in the offseason. Right now, he gives the team 24.6 minutes per game. He provides solid rest time for Al Horford, who is an aging player (36), and is a versatile offensive weapon off the bench.
The Celtics will be forced to make a hard decision if a team offers Williams a deal that would pay him around $17 million per year. The team is already in the luxury tax and has the league's fifth-highest combined payroll at $215 million for this season.
The team may get some cap relief when Horford’s contract ends this season, but then it might come down to him or Williams coming back to the team. The team also has to re-sign Jaylen Brown after next season, so there will need to be money for that. The Celtics may not be able to respond to another team’s offer if it's too much. The team may not look the same after this season.