Difficult decisions loom for the Boston Celtics with free agency set to begin at 6 pm ET on Friday, June 30. Between swinging a deal for ex-All-Star Kristaps Porzingis and new restrictions thanks to an updated CBA, Boston’s front office will have its fair share of financial challenges in building a roster ahead of the 2023-24 season. Pending restricted free agent Grant Williams could be a casualty.
The Celtics will likely tender a qualifying offer on Williams worth $8.5 million, setting up restricted free agency for the former Vol. Williams is expected to receive lucrative offers from other teams, perhaps too rich for Boston’s blood. Per a new report, however, the Celtics and Williams are working together ahead of free agency, and the two sides could strike a deal to keep the fan favorite in the Hub.
Heavy’s Sean Deveney reports Boston and Williams are in contact and haven’t ruled out a deal to prolong Williams’ contract. Even if the two parties can’t agree on a deal, they will reportedly coordinate on finding Williams a new home by way of a sign-and-trade.
Standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Walsh brings athleticism and defense to a Boston roster in need of his help. https://t.co/qJ0giP6tO4
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 27, 2023
As Hoops Hype’s Yossi Gozlan reported, Boston is already operating extremely close to the new CBA’s second tax apron. Going past this threshold triggers a host of penalties and restrictions, so the Celtics will do all they can to avoid adding money to the books.
As such, it’s hard to find a way for Boston to sign Williams to a new contract. He turned down a four-year, $50 million extension in the fall, and even a deal worth roughly that much would be hard for the Celtics to manage.
A sign and trade is an interesting option as a result. This would facilitate Williams landing a fair contract in a new city while also bringing back Boston assets. This could be a more affordable player, draft equity, or even a Traded Player Exception to be used in a future transaction. Deveney stated the Celtics and Williams “have a desire to work together” ahead of such a deal.
The Celtics took a big swing with this move; will it pay off with a banner? https://t.co/8MN9femRgY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 27, 2023
Boston could, in theory, free up enough salary to retain Williams outright. The Celtics could be angling to trade some of the more costly contracts on the books, either to the benefit of a new Williams deal or otherwise. In a hypothetical scenario where Boston shed’s Malcolm Brogdon’s salary, for example, there would be new financial flexibility for a Williams contract.
In May, it was reported Williams could even accept Boston’s qualifying offer for next season, setting up restricted free agency in the summer of 2024. Creating enough salary space to keep Williams in that case would be much easier, at least for the coming season.
Trading for Kristaps Porzingis was the headline move for Boston this offseason. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of questions left for the Celtics to answer.
According to social media, Jaylen Brown is in Saudi Arabia sampling some Texas-style barbecue. https://t.co/qcDTOdGMMC
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 27, 2023
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