Celtics
Williams is a gifted participant who may make extra sense in Dallas.
On Wednesday, the Celtics reportedly agreed to a three-team sign-and-trade that can ship Grant Williams to the Mavericks.
Williams and the Mavs agreed to a four-year, $54 million contract which, per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, is the precise quantity Williams needed from the Celtics within the first place.
As a part of the deal (and in alternate for not matching the Mavericks’ provide on the restricted free agent Williams), the Celtics bought second-round picks in 2024 and 2028 in addition to a second-round decide swap in 2025. The Spurs – who additionally took on the remaining 12 months of Reggie Bullock’s contract – managed to coax a first-round decide swap in 2030 with the Mavericks. That might be painful for Dallas at a time when Victor Wembanyama is 26 years previous.
Let’s take a better take a look at:
- What the Celtics bought
- What the Mavericks bought
- What Grant Williams bought
- What to anticipate subsequent
Brad Stevens continued to hoover up second-round property, and the Celtics now have the next draft image:
- 2024 first (personal)
- 2024 first (Warriors, top-4 protected)
- 2024 second (Spurs, top-55 protected, unlikely to convey)
- 2024 second (Dallas)
- 2025 first (personal)
- 2025 second (personal)
- 2025 second (most favorable from Pistons, Warriors and Wizards)
- 2025 second (most favorable with Dallas)
- 2026 first (personal)
- 2026 second (most favorable: Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, Path Blazers)
- 2027 first (personal)
- 2027 second (Hawks)
- 2028 first (least favorable, Spurs – Prime-1 protected)
- 2028 second (Mavericks)
- 2029 first (personal)
- 2029 second (personal)
- 2030 first (personal)
- 2030 second (personal)
The brand new alternatives all come from the Mavericks in 2024 and 2028, in addition to a swap in 2025. Second-round picks on their very own aren’t more likely to land franchise-changing expertise, however they’re good pot sweeteners in any commerce, and they are often packaged to maneuver up or down as essential. The decide in 2028 is notable partly as a result of the Celtics had been with no second-rounder that 12 months. Now they’ve not less than one choice yearly in each rounds till 2030.
In the meantime, the Celtics have seven picks more likely to convey within the first and second rounds over the subsequent two years. That ensures they’ll hold bringing in prospects on inexpensive rookie offers whereas utilizing picks in trades. If the Celtics like a participant within the late lottery in 2024, they may be capable to mix their two first-rounders to get there and nonetheless have second-round flexibility. If a star turns into obtainable, the Celtics might commerce a package deal that includes three first-round picks between 2024-26 and never be in violation of the Stepien Rule, all whereas sustaining a wholesome presence within the second spherical. The brand new CBA will increase the worth of a second-round discount contract, and Stevens simply acquired three new bites on the apple.
The Celtics didn’t get a participant in alternate for Williams, which is a matter, however they did proceed to construct a flexible pathway ahead at a time when being nimble is perhaps essential.
Williams had a troublesome 12 months in 2022-23. His minutes peaked in November at 29.4 in 16 video games, however they fell to 17.4 because the season wound down, and he averaged 17.7 within the postseason. Whereas he shot 45 p.c from behind the arc within the playoffs, he obtained 5 DNPs and was largely out of the common rotation. He struggled to maintain his mood with officers early within the 12 months, together with an unsightly second in October. He informed Donovan Mitchell he was about to “make each,” which went viral.
Nonetheless, Williams had some actual sizzling stretches and has usually proven extra offensive promise in the precise scenario. He gave the Celtics the choice of defending Giannis Antetokounmpo 1-on-1 and had a powerful exhibiting in opposition to Kevin Durant in 2021. His 3-point taking pictures improved considerably, which offered alternatives to drive closeouts (with various success). He has performed in a variety of high-profile playoff video games for a participant his age – together with an NBA Finals – and had some really notable constructive moments. He was fashionable along with his teammates (though not Deuce Tatum). Reporters and members of the Celtics group appreciated working with him.
At his finest, Williams confirmed the potential to be a strong starter on each ends of the ground, and he turns 25 in November. Betting 4 years and $54 million on a participant with that speedy upside and a excessive work ethic is smart for the Mavericks. It made much less sense for the Celtics, who simply prolonged Kristaps Porzingis and nonetheless have a max contract for Jaylen Brown to ink in some unspecified time in the future this summer time.
Give Williams credit score: His wager on himself appears to have paid off solely, regardless of some pace bumps alongside the best way. The Celtics reportedly supplied him “far” lower than the contract he finally bought with the Mavericks, which exceeded the non-taxpayer mid-level exception that many believed he would finally signal. 4-year safety on a wholesome new contract with a staff the place a beginning spot seems to be his for the taking is a good scenario.
The Celtics have traded each Marcus Good and Williams, two gamers they drafted and developed, and two gamers who performed vital roles. Good, clearly, is the larger story of the 2, however the Celtics’ defensive identification can be much less versatile and bruising subsequent 12 months, and the brand new CBA seems to have claimed its first actual casualty.
However as groups scramble to determine how you can work below a brand new, extremely restrictive second tax apron for the NBA’s highest spenders, the Celtics have each star expertise and future flexibility. In a chaotic CBA panorama, that distinctive flexibility might put Stevens in an enviable place.
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