When the Celtics struck a deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis last month, Grant Williams recognized that there might not be as significant a role for him in Boston’s frontcourt if he were to re-sign with the team as a restricted free agent. However, he liked the trade for the Celtics, as he told Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
“With the (Porzingis) news, I was excited about it ’cause even if they did end up matching me, I would probably be playing less but my whole thing is about winning,” he said.
Still, Williams recognized that the addition of Porzingis’ salary made it less likely that the Celtics would be willing to spend to keep him when he reached restricted free agency. According to Weiss, the forward had a more competitive market when free agency opened last week, but the Celtics were asking for a first-round pick in sign-and-trade talks, which caused some potential suitors to move on.
“I had an understanding of that most of the way. I know how the numbers work out and yeah, they could have afforded to keep me,” Williams said of the Celtics. “But it’s one of those things where you’re really committing and after the prior year, I didn’t think it was realistic. Hey, Boston was trying to maintain their leverage. It’s one of those where you can’t be mad at them for it because it just shows they want you to be there in a way.”
With Williams’ market drying up, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe heard from a source as late as Wednesday afternoon that a return to the Celtics was still a possibility, but the Mavericks increased their push for the forward and Brad Stevens was amenable to sending the 24-year-old somewhere he’d get to play more. That led to a three-team sign-and-trade agreement that will send Williams to Dallas.
Here’s more on what’s next for the Celtics:
- A league source tells Himmelsbach that the Celtics remain intent on bringing back Malcolm Brogdon after discussing him in trade talks earlier in the offseason. Himmelsbach’s source adds that Jaylen Brown‘s super-max extension should be finalized “in the coming days.”
- Dalano Banton, who agreed to sign a two-year contract with Boston, is expected to join the team’s Las Vegas Summer League roster, tweets Himmelsbach.
- Echoing an earlier report from Chris Haynes that said the Celtics were among the teams to reach out to the Trail Blazers to inquire about the price for Damian Lillard, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne stated on NBA Today (YouTube link) that Boston has “expressed some interest” in the star guard. Shelburne and ESPN colleague Zach Lowe stressed that the Celtics are not on Lillard’s wish list, but point out that a package of Brogdon, Robert Williams, and several first-round picks and swaps could be compelling. The C’s have given San Antonio first-round swap rights in 2028, but their future first-rounders are otherwise unencumbered.
- A Celtics star forward would be in favor of a deal for Lillard, ESPN’s Marc J. Spears said during a TV appearance over the weekend. “I’m hearing Jayson Tatum is knocking on that door now too to figure out a way to get (Lillard) to come to Boston,” Spears said, according to Brian Robb of MassLive.com.
Boston can offer a decent package. The picks will stink for another 3-5 seasons, but they have some players that could make an interesting salary match offer.
Can’t see Dame in Boston. Blazers would want JB as part of the package. I’d do it. JB is good, but not worth $300M.
With Brads comments after getting Porzingas, having the possibility of R.Williams, Porz, and Al on the floor at the same time – and now trading away Grant Williams… I think the Celtics are just doing their due diligence on Lilliard. They believe in White.
Al is 37 years old, is he still playing 30 mins a game at a high level?
Hopefully Grant will get to play more in Dallas & Marcus will play in Memphis. Happy for both. As to Dame, who doesn’t want to come anyway, wouldn’t he take shots away from Tatum & weaken our defense? Giving up our future for one guy seems wrong. Go Celtics!
Since when do players get a wish list of trade destinations lmao
Dame is primed for either an injury or a decline this year. I wouldn’t give up much!
Lil I finally agree. Lillard without a no trade,signs a super max now volume shoots his injury prone butt into a demand to be traded. Laughable.
Great we’ll see Dalano Banton play for the Celtics in Summer League! Crossing fingers!
Brogdon and Williams and picks is a lousy package, stop it with that nonsense.
Go take Herro and Duncan Robinson then.
Would not be enough basketballs to go around with the addition of Dame! I don’t know if we have enough for everyone now! If Brown signs the max extension he must learn two things now! 1) he is the number 2 option. 2) you must learn to facilitate more and pass the dam ball.
Bingo. Agree 100%. Set up teammates. Remove the blackout blinders n that one track mind.
Grant Williams is a specialist. He is a good body to have for players like Giannis and Bam. But other than those two matchups he really is not a very good player. He barely played in the Atl and Philly series. Another overvalued player because he played for the Celtics.
Lilliard is becoming closer and closer to a get for the Celtics. They have a ton of picks and some good players still to be traded. I’d prefer to trade White, Horford, and Brogden keeping Rob Williams. Tatum and Brown have the ability to be better defenders than they have shown in this years playoffs. With Lilliard it would have to be a collective perimeter defense based on effort. Keeping Rob is imperative because he is an elite rim protector.
Brown I would hope is off the table completely. Unless there is more coming back from Portland or a 3rd team. You cannot split up the jays. Without adding anything they will win a ring as a duo. They have both been winners their entire careers. If a play here a play there have a different outcome they might already be.
But a team with Dame, Brown, and Tatum would be the favorites for the next two seasons. That should be the selling point. Although the Heat are the best ran organization in the NBA they overachieve. Their roster got worse in the offseason and a lot of their successes was role players catching fire. Jimmy is unbelievable a real warrior on the court but after round 2 he seems to run out of gas in the playoffs.
Dame wanting to go to Miami is for obvious reasons. A chance to win. Less taxes more money. And it’s Miami who wouldn’t want to live there over any other NBA city. It astonishes me in every sport that the best free agents don’t just choose Miami by default. That’s where I’d go if I had the chance.
I saw Broussard say Lilliard thinks Boston is a racist city in a racist country. I instantly changed the channel. Can anyone honestly say Damian wouldn’t take 60 million to play basketball in a city. With two of the premier black players in the league. A city where no matter what color or background you can become a legend forever. (Russell, Brady, Bird, Garnett, Martinez, Ortiz, Ramirez, Rondo, Pierce). In Boston those guys have more clot and respect than any politician or news writer in history. They wonder why sports media is dying. Calling a top 10 sports market racist is bad for business. Lilliard would love Boston and Boston would love him. He just is smart and wants to go to Miami. Unfortunately for him the choose is in Portlands hands. The fact race has been brought into this should be eye opening on how the news stations operate. All they see is GREEN. Race will always be a great divider and way to split a crowd. But they’re starting to see the tiredness of this country towards the discussion. Turn off the Tv go outside and see how not racist this country is. No other places have as many diverse people doing great things. It’s actually quite astounding. The Black vs White topic is weak, last week!
You should read about what happened to Bill Russell’s home during a road trip – no judgment, I didn’t know about it either until after he passed. I just found it ironic that you listed him as a local legend and evidence that race wasn’t an issue for fans. My personal opinion is that Boston gets dragged a bit for something that is prevalent in every US city. There may be 40,000 cool, neutral people in the stadium – it only takes a few morons to really ruin it for everybody.
whether or not it happens in every city and as someone who grew up outside of Boston is no excuse for racism happening which your statement (while maybe not the intention) is often the excuse people use when things like this are brought up.
I hope they keep Robert Williams.
Again, I’d be shocked if Celts trade TimeLord!
Bingo. Agree 100%. Set up teammates. Remove the blackout blinders n that one track mind.