NBA Rumors: Multiple teams targeting Boston Celtics forward in free agency

Grant Williams’ play over the last two seasons has put the Boston Celtics in a bit of a conundrum. The versatile forward will become a restricted free agent next season and has already drawn considerable interest from several teams before this month’s trade deadline.

Williams has emerged as one of the Celtics’ crucial cogs but might be too expensive for them to keep. Boston can match any over for the forward in free agency, but the franchise hasn’t given him an extension yet.

The Celtics reportedly weren’t willing to go over a four-year $50 million deal for the “Batman.” Williams was rumored to be agreeable to roughly $14 million a season over the same period. The power forward and the Celtics were unable to reach mutual ground, which opened the way for Williams to test free agency.

Multiple teams have reportedly been intrigued by Grant Williams’ ability to guard bigger players and still compete against some guards. Over the last two years, he has hit 47.1% of his field-goal attempts, including a sizzling 41.0% from behind the arc.

Trading for Williams could also allow the interested team to acquire his Bird Rights, which makes him all the more attractive. Players of his caliber right now are crucial to the success of NBA teams, particularly those who are legitimate title contenders.

Grant Williams’ value can be put in a nutshell in a game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 8. Boston didn’t have their starting frontline of Al Horford and Robert Williams III.

Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla used Blake Griffin and Williams in the frontcourt. The former Tennessee superstar dropped 15 points on 4-6 shooting from deep. He also helped contain Philly behemoth Joel Embiid to 28 points on 21 shots.

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Grant Williams was huge for the Boston Celtics in the playoffs last season

Grant Williams played a huge role in the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks last season.

The Boston Celtics didn’t rest players when they had the chance to get a “favorable” matchup in the postseason. Waiting for them in the semifinals last year were two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee were short-handed as they didn’t have Khris Middleton. The “Greek Freak,” though, gave the Celtics all sorts of trouble before losing in a classic Game 7.

Part of the reason the Celtics’ top-ranked defense faltered against the Bucks was because of Robert Williams III’s knee injury. He played only three games and was hobbled when he was on the court.

Grant Williams took on the unenviable job of guarding the NBA’s most fearsome inside threat despite giving up a few inches in height. “Batman” averaged 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds. He made 37.8% of his 3-point shots and made Giannis Antetokounmpo work extremely hard for his points.

Some teams have noticed his defense, tenacity, ability to hit outside shots and all-in attitude. These are traits rival executives may be willing to pay more for than the Boston Celtics can offer Williams.