One of the more painful sacrifices the Boston Celtics had to make to become the 2023-24 NBA Champions was parting ways with Grant Williams. The grit-and-grind toughness the veteran brought to the roster made him a beloved figure in Boston. However, there is no denying the shooting inconsistencies and how much better of a roster the Celtics built. Still, fans have a fondness for the current Charlotte Hornet.
It wouldn't be a shock to see Williams again on the move at some point in the next months. The forward's contract makes this a bit more difficult with a $13 and $14 million cap hit due each of the next two seasons. Turning the page isn't going to be easy, taking the right team to believe they can turn the former Celtic back to his Boston days. While it would be tempting, a reunion seems very unlikely.
The Celtics are focused on building out a young core around Jaylen Brown for the 2025-26 season in hopes of finding a surprise piece. The league's cap rules forced the championship core to break apart and left Boston with what could be a lost season. Still, the contract situation likely rules out any potential reunion.
Former Celtics Bench Piece Grant Williams Remains on Trade Market
Williams can still be an impact player for the right culture fit, but was overpaid due to his best moments with Boston. This is great for the veteran's personal interest, but it does result in a very limited trade market. It will be interesting to watch the season play out and whether or not the Hornets can find a way to offload the contract.
Charlotte is far from an Eastern Conference contender and is expected to again be among the league's worst teams. This opens the door for taking on more high-dollar contracts and could result in Williams being dealt. Looking around the league, there are a handful of young teams that could benefit from the veteran's toughness and playoff experience.
The elusive piece will be finding a trade that makes sense for both the Hornets and a team expecting to contend. For Williams, there has been an unquestioned regression resulting from the poor teams around him. Still, it is hard not to root for a Williams resurgence even if that comes outside of Boston.