Boston Celtics keeping stars together will lead to restricted free agent’s departure, says analyst

According to Chowder and Champions' Ryan Whitley, the Boston Celtics keeping Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will lead to the loss of their RFA this summer Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
According to Chowder and Champions' Ryan Whitley, the Boston Celtics keeping Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will lead to the loss of their RFA this summer Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics retaining Jaylen Brown in order to maximize his and Jayson Tatum’s primes will lead to the offseason departure of restricted free agent Grant Williams — this, at least, according to Chowder and Champions’ Ryan Whitley.

“Simply put, the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum duo is destined to win together in Boston,” Whitley prefaced before saying, “And to accomplish that goal, sacrifices are going to have to be made. Unfortunately, Grant Williams is likely going to be one of them.”

Williams is allegedly seeking a contract of around $20 million per year annually, as Marc Stein reported in his substack. With a punitive CBA about to kick in, the Celtics stand to lose plenty should they tax themselves into oblivion with extensions for Williams and Brown.

Grant Williams was injured during Boston Celtics playoff run

As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, Williams was injured during the C’s 2023 postseason run. He’d been injured since March.

“Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams — who’ll be a restricted free agent this summer — had successful surgery on his left hand Friday that is expected to have him fully recovered for the start of NBA training camp in the fall, the team announced,” Wojnarowski said. “The surgery to repair a torn ligament comes after Williams hurt the hand in March. Williams decided to continue playing with the injury through the Celtics’ run to the Eastern Conference finals.”

Whether or not this affects Williams’ free agency status is unclear. As Wojnarowski reported, Williams will be back by the start of training camp, so teams wouldn’t be paying for a player who’ll be stuck on the injured reserve list.

Besides, any team signing Williams to a hefty offer sheet will be one that is flush with cap space but short on championship expectations anyway. Williams figures to be a long-term piece for a team hoping that he’s the glue guy to their young core.

Boston’s front office is likely hoping Williams’ injury will scare off suitors so the Celtics can attempt to sign him at a discount.