Al Horford signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics on Thursday, falling short of the team’s most recent contract negotiations with Grant Williams in October.
Williams reportedly turned down Boston’s contract extension. He wanted a deal worth around $15 million a year. So, will the Celtics try to re-sign the fourth-year player after the 2022-23 season?
Based on a few NBA betting sites, the Celtics are heavy favorites to win the championship in 2023. Some sportsbooks are projecting top-three possibilities for the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors.
The Boston Celtics are unlikely to sign Grant Williams to a contract extension, according to @JakeLFischer
“It doesn’t look like there will be an extension for Grant Williams,” sources said. pic.twitter.com/8uLcdkuU9q
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 12, 2022
Aside from winning his 18th championship, re-signing Williams should be the Celtics’ top priority. Brian Robb Wholesale Live GM Brad Stevens is a firm believer in exploring other options.
“Williams is still a vital part of the Celtics’ rotation,” Rob reports, “but after keeping Horford under contract for the next two seasons, the team will be less willing to pay him more next contract.” Start this year.
The reality is that the restricted free agent market for Williams is a tough place for a player in his role, with a limited amount of cap space available to other teams and a reluctance for teams to come up with offer sheets that could combine their flexibility. He said.
After the Celtics re-signed Al Horford, will the team consider re-signing Grant Williams after the 2022-23 season?
In 21 games this season, Williams is averaging 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He is also shooting 52 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range.
In the second game of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the forward scored a career shutout in Game 7 as the Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 109-81.
Boston Celtics center Al Horford has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the franchise through his 39th birthday, according to his agent, Jason Glushon. @GlushonSM He tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/10v0FHqIIU
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2022
Grant Williams is currently tied for sixth on the Celtics in scoring and fourth in rebounding. As an asset to a championship contender, the front office felt 24-year-old Marcus Smart wasn’t ready to accept money.
Smart is earning $17,207,142 this season. In fact, the Oklahoma State product won NBA Defensive Player of the Year last season. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 boards, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Moreover, the Celtics will only re-sign Williams next summer if he accepts a more reasonable deal. That seems unlikely, especially if he plays well in the playoffs this season. At the current rate, this could be his last season in a Celtic uniform.
Few teams are willing to pay $15 million per season for a player.
