The three-team trade that will bring Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics also likely signals the end of Grant Williams‘ time in Boston, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. The team doesn’t appear to have the money or an obvious role for Williams after adding Porzingis and his $36MM salary for next season to its front line.
Sources tell Robb that the Celtics will explore sign-and-trade opportunities with Williams when free agency opens next week. The goal will be to add another guard or wing player for depth or to pick up either future draft capital or a traded player exception.
The Mavericks are among several teams that have contacted the Celtics about a potential sign-and-trade deal involving Williams, according to a report on Wednesday. Unloading Williams’ cap hold, along with others, may give Boston the option of using the taxpayer mid-level exception, while re-signing him would push the team past the second tax apron.
There’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics got rid of their logjam in the backcourt and picked up some much-needed size in one move, writes Jay King of The Athletic. King points out that Porzingis’ ability to play power forward or center provides lineup flexibility and allows coach Joe Mazzulla to continue using a five-out approach. Porzingis was effective playing alongside Wizards center Daniel Gafford, a player similar to Robert Williams, as Washington outscored opponents by 5.8 points per 100 possessions with them on the court together. Porzingis also provides a post-up option that the Celtics have been lacking, as King notes that only Nikola Jokic was more proficient at scoring from the post this season.
- The Clippers’ decision to pull out of an earlier version of the three-team deal over concerns about Malcolm Brogdon‘s health raises questions about whether the Celtics can rely on him for a full-time role next season, King adds. Brogdon reportedly suffered a torn tendon in his right elbow early in the Eastern Conference Finals, even though he was able to continue playing in the series. He indicated Wednesday that he’s hoping to avoid offseason surgery on the elbow.
- The Celtics lost an important part of their culture by sending Marcus Smart to Memphis, per Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Smart was a fiery leader on and off the court and wasn’t afraid to stand up to Mazzulla or the team’s stars when he thought it was necessary.
Sign and trade grant williams for reggie bullock or THJ. Or double sign and trade for Christian wood
Can’t double sign and trade since it would hard cap BOS and they can’t realistically get under the hard cap.
Cs aren’t in a position to take back long term salary in a Grant S&T (otherwise they’d just bring Grant back). Should be interesting to see what Brad manages to get out of this.
Hope Boston doesn’t give up on the concept of playing defense because Smart and Grant Williams being gone hurts them there. Still have White and Robert Williams. The J’s need to up the defensive intensity. Smart is everything they said in the article but he doesn’t appear ti be a guy who will age well physically. He will definitely square away Morant though.
Smart is losing a step! This was the perfect time to unload him
Great move for Memphis. There are two places where Smart fits the culture perfectly, the Grizzlies and Miami. Understanding that there was no chance in heck that they would deal him to Miami, he landed in the best place possible.
C’s needed the size, but Zinger seems to play his best, healthiest ball in contract years. $36M and giving up a piece like Smart seems to be a bit of an overpay, though the picks off-set it a bit I guess.
Would have been a good move for the Celtics if they still had Udoka, but Small Ball Brad will play him to much at Center, causing Porzingus to find himself back on the IR for most the year
I’m wondering what their plan might be for a couple of their stashed guys, like Madar and Bergerin, b/c I would think these moves potentially open a spot for them. Madar is kind of like a Patrick Beverley type, has some Marcus Smart qualities to him.
I think either version of the trade left them with the same need for depth at the wing spot. They have Champagnie to help at the 4 where Grant Williams is likely gone, but they can probably use another piece there
From what I saw at Summer League 2 years back Yam Madar looked like an energized Tyler Herro type … who couldn’t shoot threes. Doubt if he’s put on enough weight to mirror a Smart or Beverly. Hope he’s learned to make threes.
Johann Begarin, then 19 years old at Summer League 2021, on the other hand, looked more like a Smart to me. 6’5″, 214, tough and strong. Hope they both get a chance this year. Go Celtics!
There should be room for one of them to get a shot at least. All the more reason they need to target a 4/5 tonight at #25.