5 Grant Williams replacements that improve Celtics title odds in 2024

2. Max Strus

Strus heads into unrestricted free agency after helping the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals. The 6’5 wing has started every game in the postseason and remains a key floor spacer for the franchise even if his shots have not always fallen during their run. The Heat are facing some financial issues, and they could be forced to let Strus walk this summer.

The 27-year-old went undrafted in 2019, and he clawed his way from a two-way contract into the rotation. Strus will be looking for his first significant payday this summer. Can he get the full mid-level exception from someone or does he try to stay with a contender? If Strus wants a shot at a ring, he will likely have to take the taxpayer mid-level.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla leaned towards offense in his first year in charge, and Strus offers plenty on that end. He averaged 11.5 points and 2.1 assists in 28.4 minutes per game during the 2022-23 season. Strus is also a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter that could help space the floor in Boston. Williams is a better defender, but Strus may get more run because he gives them additional offense.

Getting Max Strus to accept the taxpayer mid-level exception won’t be easy, but if he does, he could improve their title odds over re-signing Grant Williams for significantly more.