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Grant Williams gets honest about future with Boston Celtics

BySam LaFrance|
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 06: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics waits for a free throw during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 06: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics waits for a free throw during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 06, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

One of the major storylines surrounding the Boston Celtics over the past few weeks has been the future of Grant Williams. Williams’ rookie contract is set to expire this summer, making him a restricted free agent.

Boston’s No. 12 spoke with the media Tuesday, during an appearance at a giveaway event at one of the New England Patriots’ facilities — there, he discussed his impending free agency, stressing that his main focus is helping whichever team he winds up with be successful.

“Whatever happens, you know,” Williams told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “I have not much control in this. I have to allow my agents and everybody else to focus in on that because my whole focus and goal has always been winning and making sure that team success is the No. 1 most important thing. If Brad and those guys decide to keep me and bring me back, you know, of course I’m going to come back and be excited to play for the Celtics. If something else happens then I have to transition. But for me, my outlook has always been that I want to make sure wherever I am to impact success and winning, and make sure that I’m there for all of the players that are around me and focus on the team first. Whatever happens this free agency will be that.”

How realistic is it for Grant Williams to re-sign with the Boston Celtics?

Williams’ future with the Boston Celtics is cloudy, to say the least. Of course, he just gave reporters a blanket answer at Tuesday’s Patriots event. But, he didn’t sound extremely confident that he’ll be suiting up in Celtics’ green next year.

The recent addition of Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards has reportedly been a death blow to any chance of Williams returning for a fifth season in Boston. Porzingis will likely eat up a bulk of the minutes at the center/power forward positions in the 2023-24 campaign, leaving Williams — if he was to re-sign — out of the rotation.

At the moment it doesn’t feel very likely that Williams will be taking the floor at TD Garden in 41 home games next year. However, it doesn’t seem like he truly wants to leave, or can’t wait to get out of town. The 24-year-old has been able to make an impact ever since joining the team as a rookie ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Last year, he averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while shooting 45.4% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.

In terms of where Williams could wind up if he does depart in the offseason, the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, and Orlando Magic have all been listed as possible destinations for the former Tennessee standout.