Boston Celtics: Potential Grant Williams extension offer revealed

The next move for the Boston Celtics this offseason may or may not be a Kevin Durant trade, but at some point, if he isn’t included in a hypothetical KD swap, Grant Williams’ next contract has to be addressed.

Williams is entering the final year of his rookie-scale contract, and each season he’s been in the league has been an improvement over the campaign that preceded it — his 3-point conversion rate being the most notable, climbing from 25% to over 41%.

His value to the Celtics might be more than to any other franchise, and that could play to Williams’ advantage. As a six-foot-six combo big, Williams has a six-foot-11 wingspan that makes him a sneakily effective frontcourt option, but he’s not your traditional high-flying lob-finisher at the 4 or the 5.

Still, he’s projected to get eight figures in his next deal according to NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss:

"“(Grant Williams) is extension-eligible, and the Celtics will have until Oct. 18 to finalize a deal or they’ll have to revisit it after the season. An extension in the $10-13 million per season range would be fair for both sides. Williams also could decide to bet on himself and forego an extension until next offseason, essentially hoping he improves even more during 2022-23 and increases his value.”"

Grant Williams could be the key to a bigger fish for the Boston Celtics

Recently, MassLive’s Brian Robb called Derrick White someone that could be traded for a ‘bigger fish,’ and the caveat most certainly applies to Grant Williams as well this offseason for the Boston Celtics. One thing we know about this team is that the starting lineup doesn’t have to be messed with considering their standing at or near the top of the rankings in both the offensive and defensive categories.

The bench is a different matter. While they were integral to the rise of the 2021-22 Cs, they were noticeable in the absence during the Golden State Warriors’ championship clinchers. With a big-time payday pending for Williams for Boston, moving him to spend that money elsewhere–like a Malcolm Brogdon extension or Al Horford’s final big contract–could be in play.

If there’s not one more move made, we’re talking about the defending Eastern Conference champions and one of the top Vegas favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.

If there is, though, it’d be the biggest fish, and it could involve role players like Grant Williams.