Grant Williams’ looming contract extension could keep him out of trade talks

Over the previous week, we’ve all heard how the Boston Celtics stepped away from the negotiating desk as soon as the Brooklyn Nets countered Brad Stevens’ unique provide for Kevin Durant. And in some unspecified time in the future or different, we’ve all tried to determine who the ‘extra position participant’ could possibly be, ought to Stevens re-enter into discussions within the coming weeks.

Relaxation assured, there’s little-to-no probability that the extra man might be Robert Williams, as giving up Jaylen Brown, Marcus Good, and the Time Lord is the quickest path to NBA purgatory — no matter who’s coming again in return.

That’s the place Grant Williams’ title comes into the equation, as his enhancements over the past twelve months make him a fascinating addition to a commerce package deal. Nevertheless, there’s a slight snag in that equation, one which could work in Williams’ favor, assuming he needs to stay with the Celtics.

Grant Williams is getting into the ultimate yr of his rookie scale contract, and is eligible for an extension. Earlier than his improved play final season, Boston might have paid him pennies on the greenback and saved the younger ahead round long-term. Issues are totally different now, although. This implies the Celtics have a possible headache on their fingers — a headache no different crew would need to purchase earlier than the beginning of the season.

Picture by Adam Glanzman/Getty Photographs

Slightly than anticipating to pay Williams a nominal price over the following few years, he has performed himself into an inexpensive contract, one that would vary between $8 million and $12 million a yr with out anybody batting a watch. Brad Stevens will certainly have a quantity in thoughts, and received’t need to exceed that, if in any respect doable.

However Williams holds among the playing cards right here. The Tennessee alum has the flexibility to reject an extension and check free company if he looks like he might earn extra within the open market, at which level, Boston would want to go deeper into their checkbook.

Why on Earth would Brooklyn, or every other potential commerce companion need to soak up that form of headache? Positive, Williams has confirmed himself within the post-season and was a key consider how the Celtics defended (ahem) Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo within the playoffs, however on the finish of the day, you’re primarily paying him primarily based on a one-year pattern measurement.

As a result of, earlier than final season, you weren’t getting the sort of manufacturing from the third-year combo large, and there have been reliable issues about his capacity to stay within the league past his rookie contract.

“I might say it’s 70/30 – Enchancment aspect is 70, I really feel like the quantity of effort I put into making photographs final summer time, and the defensive depth I’ve grown with…that allowed me to meet a job that was wanted. And the chance arose,” Williams said while appearing on a recent episode of Duncan Robinson’s podcast.

Instantly, regardless of his spectacular season, Williams seems to be like someone you need no a part of, at the least, not till his contract scenario is resolved.

The flip aspect of the argument

Now, that’s to not say Boston wouldn’t be keen to incorporate him in a commerce, as a result of the identical purpose different groups are probably turning their nostril up at him, is similar purpose the Celtics could possibly be tempted into negotiations — you cross the issue onto someone else.

The very last thing you need, as a contending crew, is to have a disgruntled participant within the locker room, who feels some sort of means as a result of negotiations have stalled, or they weren’t pleased with what was on provide. Moreover, Boston is already on harm management, as Jaylen Brown can’t be comfortable about being floated in commerce rumors for the umpteenth time.

So, if Brooklyn or every other potential commerce companion was to point out curiosity in Williams this summer time, there’s a really actual probability the entrance workplace could possibly be tempted to scrub their fingers of a state of affairs that would rapidly turn into problematic for them.

Restricted Free Company

It’s value noting that ought to Williams and the Celtics, or every other crew, fail to comply with an extension, that does not imply he can merely stroll away in the summertime. Beneath that premise, Williams would enter restricted free company, permitting Boston to match any provide that got here in for the versatile ahead – however that may typically be detrimental to a crew’s cap flexibility.

The Phoenix Suns took this route with Deandre Ayton final season and ended up matching a $133 million provide from the Indiana Pacers. Clearly, Williams received’t fetch that sort of cash on the free agent market — however groups will look to drive the worth up, even when it’s simply to hamstring the Celtics shifting ahead.

Whereas the notion of getting into a bidding battle subsequent summer time isn’t probably so as to add a lot urgency to Stevens’ sitting on the negotiating desk, it’s definitely a further purpose to imagine all events concerned will need to attain an amicable settlement as early as doable.

The fact

Assuming Williams is malleable on contractual phrases, this problem doesn’t turn into an element, and he stays in Boston for the foreseeable future. The actual fact of the matter is, if the younger ahead can replicate and maintain the extent of manufacturing we noticed from him final season, he might be a significant a part of what Ime Udoka and the Celtics are attempting to do from a schematic standpoint, whereas additionally being top-of-the-line catch-and-shoot threats on the roster, if not within the league.

Williams has earned the proper to debate a giant payday, however that doesn’t imply the upcoming discussions received’t result in a headache, but when we’re being trustworthy, all of us knew this case was on the horizon, and now will probably be fascinating to see the way it all performs out.