Celtics
Williams is about to change into a restricted free agent this offseason, which might permit the Celtics to match any supply sheet he indicators with one other staff.
The Celtics is perhaps seeking to transfer on from their prime free agent this offseason in the event that they’re capable of get one thing in return.
As Grant Williams is about to change into a restricted free agent on June 30, the Celtics are exploring potential sign-and-trade situations to assist bolster their roster, in keeping with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
A couple of potential suitors have already seem to have emerged for Williams. It’s been reported that the Magic and Pacers are anticipated to pursue Williams. The Mavericks have joined the checklist of potential suitors for Williams as Dallas has additionally expressed curiosity within the ahead, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Sunday.
In his report, Scotto famous that Williams shares the identical company as Mavericks star Luka Doncic, which might assist Dallas facilitate a deal.
Despite the fact that Williams might be a free agent, the Celtics can have a few issues on their aspect by way of leverage. Williams’s standing as a restricted free agent permits the Celtics to match any supply sheet he indicators with one other staff. Boston would have 48 hours to decide to match a proposal.
The opposite factor that’s on the Celtics’ aspect is that not many groups are set to have a lot cap house this offseason. Solely eight groups are projected to have no less than $20 million in cap house, which might possible permit these groups to signal Williams with out having to maneuver one other participant.
Of these eight groups, two are the Magic and Pacers. Indiana has roughly $28 million in cap house whereas Orlando might have anyplace between $22 million and $58 million in cap house relying on what it does with a number of gamers on its roster.
Dallas, then again, is in a tough spot. If it is ready to maintain Kyrie Irving and opts to convey again Christian Wooden, it might be within the luxurious tax and would unlikely be capable of add Williams in any trend. But when Irving and Wooden signal with different groups, the Mavericks might have cap house, which they might use to signal Williams.
In fact, the Celtics can nonetheless re-sign Williams in the event that they’d like. They gave him a four-year contract supply value a bit greater than $50 million previous to the rookie contract extension deadline in October, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss reported in March. Williams is searching for a contract value roughly $20 million per season, Substack’s Marc Stein reported in February.
After enjoying a key position within the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals in 2022, Williams had a shaky 2022-23 season beneath first-year coach Joe Mazzulla. Whereas he had profession highs in factors (8.1) and rebounds (4.6) per sport, Williams’s time within the Celtics’ rotation fluctuated at factors in the course of the season. He additionally wasn’t part of Mazzulla’s rotation for a few key playoff video games, however performed within the Celtics’ closing six video games of the postseason.
The Celtics seem like wanting so as to add within the frontcourt although in anticipation of Williams’s departure as a number of reviews have prompt they’re seeking to consolidate certainly one of their factors guards for one more ahead or heart.
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